On Thursday, China's top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), issued a warning that the humanoid robotics sector may be heading toward a bubble. This caution comes amid growing concerns that the artificial intelligence (AI) industry—a closely related field—could soon face a burst in its own speculative bubble.

During a press briefing, NDRC spokesperson Li Chao emphasized the need for the Chinese humanoid robotics industry to strike a balance between "pace of development and bubble risk." He noted that despite the scarcity of mature, real-world applications for humanoid robots, substantial investment continues to flood into the sector. Additionally, as R&D funding begins to dwindle, there is a rising risk of market saturation with "highly homogeneous" products.

Li revealed that more than 150 humanoid robotics companies are currently operating in China, over half of which are startups or firms that have pivoted from unrelated industries.

Although the Chinese government has previously underscored the strategic importance of the humanoid robotics industry for future economic growth, this marks a rare public warning about potential risks in the sector. Earlier this year, China designated "embodied intelligence"—the core technology underpinning humanoid robots—as a national priority for development.