China is taking its artificial-intelligence ambitions beyond data, software and conventional autonomous systems, with its military now exploring how humanoid robots could be deployed in future wars and on the battlefield.More than 100 Chinese military procurement notices, academic studies, patents, government records and defence-industry materials found that the People’s Liberation Army is accelerating research into the military use of humanoid robots, according to a Reuters review.The work has expanded rapidly since 2025, with Chinese military institutions testing humanoids against battlefield requirements, procuring robotic systems and developing the perception, manipulation and training technologies needed to make them function in combat environments.The push gained fresh attention after the World Humanoid Robot Games in China last month, where robots competed in running, boxing and other events. Just two days after the Games, the PLA Daily called for faster transfer of cutting-edge technologies from laboratories to military training grounds for robotic “combatants.”China’s military researchers are already envisioning humanoids operating alongside soldiers in urban warfare. A 2025 study by researchers at the national university of defense technology modelled an assault force involving six “combat robots”; humanoids, robot dogs or unmanned vehicles working with troops to clear enemy-held buildings floor by floor.Another NUDT competition in 2025 simulated “infiltration behind enemy lines”, requiring robots to enter an area, map the terrain and locate targets.The PLA Daily has also suggested that humanoid missions could eventually move “from supporting combat toward primary combat”, including scenarios where robots could potentially be authorised to fire on targets after human verification.The military’s interest is not limited to the robots themselves. In June 2026, the PLA budgeted about $300,000 for a system to collect and label camera, radar and motion data for humanoids, indicating a focus on building the AI and training infrastructure needed to make the machines operate in complex environments.Chinese defence companies are also entering the field. Norinco, the state-owned defence conglomerate, has developed the Fuxi humanoid, which company materials say can perform sentry duty, reconnaissance and patrols, including dangerous missions. The robot can also be remotely operated by a human.There is no evidence that China has deployed armed humanoids with operational PLA units yet. The technology remains energy-intensive and unreliable outside controlled environments.But Chinese military researchers are already looking further ahead. Wang Yonghua of the Academy of Military Sciences wrote that breakthroughs in movement, perception and intelligence, along with lower costs and mass production, would be needed before humanoids become widespread military systems.If those conditions are met, Wang wrote, “humanoid robots will stream onto the battlefield.”
