SHANGHAI, March 2nd, 2026 —— Humanoid robots once again took the stage of the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, and behind this elaborately choreographed "tech New Year show" lies a fierce competition for public recognition. From the solo debut of a single enterprise at the Year of the Snake Spring Festival Gala to the fierce competition of multiple players at the Year of the Horse Gala, how much progress has the robotics industry made? What industrial signals does this trend reveal?
Recently, Norah Zhang, Associate Director of CIC, shared in-depth insights on the industry's technology, valuation logic and development trends in an exclusive interview with Jiemian News.
Here are the key takeaways from the interview:
From "Tech Showcase" to Brand Competition
"The collective appearance of multiple companies indicates that the humanoid robot industry is moving from a 'technology showcase' phase into the early stages of 'scaled brand competition'," Norah explained. She noted that this strategic move is aimed at capturing the public's imagination and building a foundation of trust with future consumers, both in B2B and B2C markets.
Stage Performance vs. Real-World Application
While some critics argue that the industry should focus less on choreographed performances and more on practical, real-world utility, Norah sees the stage as an integral part of the development journey. "Stage presence is one part of industrial development, not the final destination," she stated. "It attracts capital and attention, which fuels subsequent R&D. Ultimately, an industry's maturity is defined by the scale of its commercial application."
Crucially, these performances serve a vital technical purpose. They successfully validate foundational capabilities like basic motion control and multi-unit coordination. According to CIC research, in 2025 alone, Unitree shipped over 5,500 units, while Zhiyuan Robotics exceeded 5,100 units. These are the building blocks for more intelligent applications, enabling a transition from "expensive toys" to genuine "production tools." Application scenarios are expanding from pilot programs to practical fields like industrial loading/unloading, precision assembly, warehouse logistics, and even elderly care.
The Evolving Tech Moat
As multiple robots can now perform similar movements on stage, questions arise about the diminishing barriers to entry in hardware. Norah clarifies that while the threshold for basic motion hardware is lowering, systemic technological barriers are becoming more pronounced.
"The fundamental hardware supply chain is maturing and becoming more democratized," she said. "However, 2025 marked a leap forward. If previous years were about solving the problem of 'can it move like a human,' 2025 crossed that threshold entirely. We've entered the phase of 'can it work like a human'." This progress, she emphasized, stems from a systemic breakthrough in three key areas:
The logical capabilities of the "brain" (AI models).
The balance and coordination of the "cerebellum" (control algorithms).
The precision of the "limbs" (actuators and hardware).
These areas represent the true technological moats for companies today.
Industry Outlook and Market Rationalization
Looking ahead, Norah predicts a significant industry shakeout in 2026. "We will see a divergence among companies," she warned. "The market will scrutinize technological substance, product progress, and commercial orders much more rigorously. Resources will rapidly concentrate among the top players." Consequently, the valuation logic in the capital markets is shifting from a focus on "concept and hype" towards verifiable progress and revenue-generating ability. Companies must now convince the market with genuine technological strength and concrete commercialization results. The industry consensus is to steadily broaden application scenarios, and the market must grant the time and patience necessary for this evolution.
About CIC
CIC is a professional consulting firm offering tailored end-to-end support across the full investment and financing lifecycle. The firm boasts a world-leading track record in guiding landmark first-in-sector IPOs across global markets, alongside unrivaled reach and in-depth coverage capabilities across specialized niche market segments.
CIC helps enterprises refine scalable business models and craft compelling capital narratives to enable seamless access to global capital markets, while serving as a trusted due diligence partner to investment institutions. It delivers granular industry insights and direct access to subject matter experts, empowering clients to identify high-value opportunities and mitigate critical risks effectively.
Media Contact
marketing@cninsights.com