Kung fu, somersaults and scale: Unitree eyes 20,000-robot output in 2026 after gala
With shipments set to jump and investors watching closely, Unitree is positioning itself at the forefront of China’s humanoid robotics push
China’s Unitree Robotics plans to ship as many as 20,000 humanoid robots this year, up from about 5,500 in 2025, according to chief executive Wang Xingxing, after the company drew global attention with its appearance at Monday night’s Spring Festival Gala.
Speaking to domestic tech outlet 36Kr after the show, Wang said global humanoid robot shipments could reach “tens of thousands” this year, with Unitree accounting for roughly 10,000 to 20,000 units of that total.
The projection follows another high-profile showing at the annual Lunar New Year gala by state broadcaster CCTV, where Unitree’s machines again became a focal point.
The company first captured mainstream attention at last year’s event, when its robots demonstrated basic movements; this year’s performance showcased a significant leap in capability.
Chinese humanoid robots pull off kung fu display at 2026 Spring Festival Gala
The Hangzhou-based firm’s humanoid robots executed complex martial arts routines, leapt from trampolines and climbed walls, underscoring rapid progress over the past 12 months.
Unitree said the kung fu segment was performed “fully autonomously” by its G1 robots, while the broader routine delivered several industry firsts, including trampoline somersaults reaching three metres and high-speed running of up to four metres per second (roughly 14 km/h).