China Humanoid Robots PLA Explores Battlefield Applications

The development of China humanoid robots is increasingly attracting military attention as the country’s robotics industry expands and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) explores potential applications for autonomous systems.

At the World Humanoid Robot Games in China last month, robots competed in running, boxing and dancing events, drawing attention to advances in their capabilities as well as their occasional failures. Some robots reportedly completed 100 metres faster than the world-record pace set by Usain Bolt.

Two days after the Games, the PLA Daily called for faster transfer of advanced technologies from research laboratories to military training and applications involving robotic “combatants”.

BofA Global Research estimates that Chinese manufacturers accounted for about 95% of global humanoid robot shipments in 2025. The scale of the commercial industry gives the PLA access to a rapidly developing technology sector while researchers explore potential military uses.

The Russia-Ukraine war has also accelerated global interest in autonomous military systems. AI-assisted drones have transformed reconnaissance and attacks, while unmanned ground systems have been used for logistics and casualty evacuation.

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Robotics experts say humanoid machines could eventually offer advantages in environments designed for humans. Dennis Hong, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UCLA, said one of the strongest arguments for robots is their ability to enter dangerous environments without putting human personnel at equal risk.

However, researchers caution that humanoid robots remain energy-intensive and unreliable outside controlled environments. Aaron Johnson, a professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, said unpredictable battlefield conditions pose major challenges for the technology.

China’s military research has already examined possible uses in urban warfare. An August 2025 paper by researchers at the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) in Xi’an described a scenario involving six “combat robots” divided between two assault teams. The robots would work alongside troops to clear buildings floor by floor and room by room.

The study projected that such equipment could become available within five to 10 years, but it did not specify weapons, rules of engagement or procedures for encounters with civilians.

Chinese researchers have also explored other military roles. A June 2025 university competition included a scenario simulating infiltration behind enemy lines, requiring robots to enter an area, create a map and locate targets. Other exercises considered identity checks, security patrols and inspections at military facilities.

Procurement documents indicate that the PLA’s interest extends beyond the robots themselves to systems for perception, movement and training. In 2025, the military issued tenders involving a humanoid robot and an “embodied humanoid robot intelligent perception and dexterous operation system”.

A later procurement document showed that the PLA had budgeted about $300,000 for a system designed to collect and label camera, radar and motion data for humanoid robots, including information about terrain they could navigate.

China’s defence industry is also developing potential applications. Norinco, a state-owned defence conglomerate, has promoted its Fuxi humanoid robot for roles including sentry duty, reconnaissance and patrols. The company says the system can also operate through a teleoperation system, allowing a human to control the robot remotely.

Remote operation could address some of the difficulties associated with fully autonomous machines, although it would still require reliable communications and robust equipment in battlefield conditions.

China is not alone in examining military applications for humanoid robots. The US Army has also explored “militarized humanoid capabilities”, including possible roles in reconnaissance, security, obstacle clearing, hazardous-material operations and urban combat.

Experts remain divided over how quickly humanoid robots could become practical military systems. Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said they were not currently practical battlefield platforms but could become more viable within five to 10 years.

Any move towards autonomous combat systems also raises legal and ethical questions. International humanitarian law requires forces to distinguish between combatants and civilians and prohibits attacks on wounded or surrendering fighters.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has warned that autonomous weapons could struggle to interpret signs of surrender because such decisions can depend heavily on context and human intent.

Chinese military researchers acknowledge that major technical obstacles remain. Wang Yonghua of China’s Academy of Military Sciences has identified problems involving movement, perception and intelligence, while noting that breakthroughs, lower costs and large-scale production would be needed before humanoid robots could become widespread military systems.

For now, there is no evidence that China has deployed an armed humanoid robot with an operational PLA unit. But the country’s expanding commercial robotics sector and growing military research suggest that humanoid machines are becoming part of a wider debate over the future of warfare.