Competing on the Same Stage, Distinct Brilliance: The Diverse Forces Shaping China’s Robotics Landscape

Following our in-depth exploration of Unitree, one thing is clear: China’s robotics vitality is never a solo act—it’s a constellation. From quadrupeds to humanoids, multiple companies are carving unique paths with differentiated technologies and precise market positioning.

2025-12-10

8 min read

Technology Trends

A Multi-Track Ecosystem, Not a Single Hero

While Unitree has quickly captured mindshare through extreme motion performance and disruptive pricing, peers are charting consumer-oriented paths—home assistance, education, entertainment, and emotionally aware companionship—collectively shaping a diverse, people-centered robotics landscape.

Collage of representative robots from Zhiyuan Robotics, UBTech Walker humanoids, and DeepRobotics Jueying industrial quadrupeds

Three Representative Companies

Below is a concise comparison of three representative companies and their strategic focuses:

Zhiyuan Robotics

Ecosystem strategy, hardware–software integration

Main direction: Humanoid robots; full product line
Positioning: “Hardware + software + ecosystem” à la Huawei; focuses on high-end B2B scenarios
Benchmark: Competes against international top-tier products

UBTech

“First humanoid robot stock”, hardware platform giant

Main direction: Consumer and industrial humanoids (Walker series)
Capabilities: Full-stack servo joint tech and cost advantages
Commercialization: Proven in education and consumer; expanding into industrial applications

DeepRobotics

Industrial quadruped leader

Main direction: Jueying quadruped and wheel–leg composite robots
Scenarios: Power grid inspection, nuclear radiation detection, complex industrial environments
Partners: Deep cooperation with State Grid; leading market share

DeepRobotics Demonstration Video

A showcase of embodied navigation capabilities from DeepRobotics’ X30 platform.

AI Emotional Companion Robots: From Niche to Mainstream

A rapidly growing and highly specialized field—AI emotional companion robots—has quietly stepped from the shadows to the spotlight. Technology fusion is reshaping the category, turning static models into interactive partners that deliver conversational and emotional value.

WMdoll

One of the world’s largest silicone doll manufacturers. By integrating large language models like ChatGPT, WMdoll has launched AI-enabled products with dialogue capabilities, receiving strong overseas market response.

Starpery

Pursues self-developed AI models, aiming for deeper voice and bodily interaction. The company’s direction signals future integration of robotics into personal life through emotionally aware companionship.

Conclusion: A Flourishing Map of Chinese Robotics

From Unitree to Zhiyuan, UBTech to DeepRobotics, and niche innovators in AI companionship, China’s robotics players are thriving across motion control, AI brains, industrial deployment, and consumer ecosystems. They collectively prove that China’s innovation soil nurtures both performance-driven “geeks” and ecosystem-defining “visionaries.”

With technology, capital, and application scenarios accelerating in tandem, the robotics revolution—deeply shaped by Chinese strength—has only just begun.