China’s ‘Thienkong Ultra’ Dominates Global Robot Shipments

According to a recent market analysis, more than 40,000 units of Chinese‑made humanoid robots were shipped in the first half of this year, accounting for roughly 97 % of worldwide deliveries.

The surge is driven largely by the popularity of the “Thienkong Ultra” platform, whose versatility has found applications in manufacturing lines, elder‑care assistance, emergency response, and public‑service roles.

Andrés Kescemetri, president of the International Association for Mechanism and Machine Science, praised China’s innovative pace, calling it “exceptional” and noting that the country now leads in both research output and commercial volume.

These figures suggest that the nation’s robotics sector is transitioning from experimental prototypes to mass‑market solutions.