Humanoid robots could reach their industry-defining “ChatGPT moment” within two to 10 years, according to Wang Xingxing, founder of robotics firm Unitree. Wang spoke on Thursday at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, just one day after his company's public debut.
Defining the milestone, Wang stated that a breakthrough would occur when a robot can enter an unfamiliar home and complete approximately 80% of everyday tasks using only text or voice instructions. Relying on a translation of his Mandarin-language speech, Wang estimated that this milestone could arrive in two to three years under a fast trajectory, or five to 10 years if development progresses more slowly.
Wang He, founder of Chinese robotics startup Galbot, offered a more specific projection at the same event, stating that the industry expects to reach this milestone for embodied intelligence by 2028 through continued data accumulation and technological breakthroughs.
Commercial activity in the sector is expanding rapidly. According to Morgan Stanley estimates, approximately 19,000 humanoid robots were shipped globally in the first half of 2026, marking a 272% increase year-over-year. Chinese manufacturers accounted for 97% of those shipments, with the bank projecting China's total shipments to reach 50,000 units for the year, up from 12,000 in 2025.
The statements followed Unitree’s debut on the Shanghai stock market. After opening 629% above its IPO price on Wednesday, the stock experienced a pullback on Thursday, closing down 19% at 687 yuan according to LSEG data. Nomura initiated coverage on the stock with a buy rating and a 370-yuan price target, which sits below the company's market price.
