TOKYO - China’s leading position in humanoid robotics was on full display at one of the world’s largest robot fairs held in Tokyo on December XXth, where more than 80 Chinese companies participated despite Beijing’s ongoing calls for travel restraint to Japan, highlighting how the two countries’ political tensions have not spilled into the robotics sector and underlining the scale of China’s industrial push.
The exhibition, which has a history of more than 50 years, is undergoing a major transformation as robotics technology evolves at a rapid pace and artificial intelligence becomes central to product development. Demonstrations ranged from AI-integrated consumer concepts such as a plush, cushion-like chair that gently embraces the sitter while responding to voice prompts to industrial models designed to autonomously interpret verbal instructions, recognize objects, and perform precise movements without human guidance.
One demonstration involved a robot instructed to place a blue cube on the number rolled by a yellow die. After recognizing the number three, the robot smoothly transported the cube to the designated location. Another showcase featured an assembly robot that automatically adjusted its posture to tighten screws in alignment with an object’s shape, a task made possible by AI-driven adaptive movement.
Competition is particularly fierce in the field of humanoid robots, where advances have accelerated sharply. While humanoids were unveiled for the first time in Russia last month, one model stumbled immediately after taking the stage, underscoring the unevenness among countries. In contrast, Chinese companies have emerged as a dominant force.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries presented its own humanoid at the fair, explaining that machines built in a human form can replicate human motions and perform tasks in a wide variety of environments. Unlike industrial robots with narrowly defined roles, humanoids can open doors, operate tools, and carry out tasks similar to human workers, making them potentially valuable in disaster zones where physical strength and adaptability are essential. In one demonstration, a robot lifted a 30-kilogram shelf to rescue a toy kitten placed underneath.
Company representatives highlighted the advantage of building robots in a human shape, noting that daily environments—from door handles to tool designs—are engineered for human use, making a human-like structure the most efficient universal form.
Chinese manufacturers also showcased robots capable of dancing and boxing with fluid, lifelike motion, drawing significant attention. Japanese trading companies collaborating with Chinese robot makers emphasized that Chinese products now stand out not only for performance but also for affordability, making them the most practical option for real-world deployment.
A representative from a Chinese robotics firm noted that Beijing views humanoid robots as a strategic growth engine that can stimulate upstream and downstream industries—including sensors, AI processors, and manufacturing hardware—ultimately positioning humanoid platforms as the next revolutionary product after computers, smartphones, and new-energy vehicles. China’s rapid aging and labor shortages, mirroring Japan’s challenges, are also driving the urgency behind development.
The discussion later turned to Japan’s position. Data presented at the event showed that Japan had been the global leader in operational industrial robots until 2015, but China has since surged ahead, expanding its installations more than tenfold in the past decade. In humanoid robotics, China also holds a commanding lead in related patent filings over the past five years, propelled by nationwide support.
The Chinese government classifies humanoid robots as an integration of advanced technologies—including AI, high-end manufacturing, and new materials—and identifies them as a core next-generation industry. Commentators noted that while Japan was once a global pioneer in humanoid robotics, symbolized by cultural icons such as Tezuka Osamu’s Astro Boy, leadership has shifted.
Analysts observed that humanoid robotics remain technically demanding because even standing upright on two legs requires constant balance adjustments, and interacting with objects introduces additional complexity. China’s strength lies in its ability to train robots using vast amounts of big data in virtual environments, allowing machines to learn continuously around the clock—an advantage Japan cannot easily match. Japan’s recent plan to invest 400 billion yen over ten years in humanoid robot development was welcomed, though some experts suggested the move may come too late.
Commentators also raised ethical and strategic concerns, noting that humanoids will likely be applied beyond industry and caregiving, potentially extending into military domains, making it essential for Japan to act as a model for responsible development. At the same time, the rapid evolution of robots invites deeper reflection on the distinction between human values—such as love, solidarity, and moral decision-making—and the efficiency-driven design of machines, prompting discussions on how humanity should coexist with increasingly advanced robots.
Experts agreed that Japan must maintain a sense of urgency as global competition intensifies, particularly as humanoid robots become a critical technology shaping future societies and industries.
Source: TBS
