Instead, it’s likely a slew of Chinese companies that will beat Tesla to the punch and begin ramping up production of robots in 2026, as Beijing puts the technology at the center of its strategic plans.
“China currently leads the United States in the early commercialization of humanoid robots,” Andreas Brauchle, partner at consultancy Horváth, told CNBC by email. “While both countries are expected to build similarly large markets over time, China is scaling more rapidly in this initial phase.”
Humanoid robots are designed to be shaped and move like a human. Artificial intelligence algorithms power their abilities along with complex hardware like semiconductors. Proponents say they could be used across various settings, from factories to hospitality and even in the home.
