From dance floor to war: China readies humanoid robots for combat

China is accelerating research to integrate humanoid robots into military training and combat operations, according to official documents and defense materials reviewed by Reuters. The People's Liberation Army Daily recently urged researchers to fast-track cutting-edge technologies from laboratories to military training grounds for robotic combatants. Defense institutions are testing humanoids for battlefield requirements, including simulated urban assault, infiltration, reconnaissance, and security patrols. This push builds on China's massive commercial dominance in humanoid manufacturing, which accounted for roughly 95% of global shipments in 2025. While current prototypes face significant technical limitations in energy efficiency and autonomous decision-making, state defense conglomerates like Norinco are deploying teleoperation systems to bridge the gap. Military analysts note that practical combat integration could materialize within a decade. Meanwhile, international human rights and legal experts warn that autonomous or semi-autonomous military humanoids will face severe compliance challenges under the laws of war, particularly regarding the ability to accurately interpret complex battlefield contexts like surrender or civilian status.