China Prepares Humanoid Robots for Potential Battlefield Use
Technology
Chinese military institutions are studying the potential use of humanoid robots in combat, including urban warfare. An analysis of more than 100 military procurement notices, research studies, patents and official documents shows that this work accelerated significantly in 2025–2026.
According to Bank of America, China accounted for 95% of global humanoid robot shipments in 2025. At the same time, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is developing military applications for the technology by acquiring robots and training systems, studying interaction between machines and soldiers, and focusing on environmental perception, manipulation and training data.
Combat robots have not yet been deployed in active PLA units. However, the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) modeled the use of assault teams in a 2025 study. Under the concept, two teams could be supported by six humanoid, quadruped or other unmanned robots. Working alongside soldiers, the robots would clear buildings room by room and floor by floor. The study’s authors estimate that such teams could emerge within five to 10 years.
NUDT also held a competition simulating “penetration behind enemy lines.” According to the university, robots had to enter a designated area, map it and identify targets. Another competition involved identity checks, disciplinary inspections and patrols at military bases.
In June 2026, the PLA allocated $300,000 for a system to collect and label data from cameras, radars and motion sensors for humanoid robots. In August, state defense conglomerate Norinco described its full-size Fuxi robot as capable of guard duty, all-weather reconnaissance, intelligent patrols and dangerous tasks.
PLA Daily has also discussed the possibility of humanoid robots moving “from supporting troops to carrying out primary combat missions,” including how robots could be allowed to fire on a live target confirmed by a human.
Aaron Johnson, a professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, noted that combat conditions present robots with numerous unpredictable challenges. Dennis Hong, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the ability to send robots where people do not want to send humans is one of the strongest reasons for developing them.
Combat robots have not yet been deployed in active PLA units. However, the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) modeled the use of assault teams in a 2025 study. Under the concept, two teams could be supported by six humanoid, quadruped or other unmanned robots. Working alongside soldiers, the robots would clear buildings room by room and floor by floor. The study’s authors estimate that such teams could emerge within five to 10 years.
NUDT also held a competition simulating “penetration behind enemy lines.” According to the university, robots had to enter a designated area, map it and identify targets. Another competition involved identity checks, disciplinary inspections and patrols at military bases.
In June 2026, the PLA allocated $300,000 for a system to collect and label data from cameras, radars and motion sensors for humanoid robots. In August, state defense conglomerate Norinco described its full-size Fuxi robot as capable of guard duty, all-weather reconnaissance, intelligent patrols and dangerous tasks.
PLA Daily has also discussed the possibility of humanoid robots moving “from supporting troops to carrying out primary combat missions,” including how robots could be allowed to fire on a live target confirmed by a human.
Aaron Johnson, a professor of mechanical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, noted that combat conditions present robots with numerous unpredictable challenges. Dennis Hong, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, said the ability to send robots where people do not want to send humans is one of the strongest reasons for developing them.
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