By Dean Fankhauser | February 8, 2026
This week, China's humanoid robot dominance became undeniable: Unitree and Agibot each outsold Tesla's entire 2025 target of 5,000 units. Meanwhile, Figure unveiled its home-focused Figure 03, Mobileye acquired Mentee Robotics, and FieldAI raised $405M for embodied AI. The industry is no longer coming—it's here.
Key Takeaways
- China dominates: Two Chinese companies outsold Tesla's entire 2025 humanoid robot target—China now has 150+ robotics companies vs ~20 in the US
- Unitree IPO incoming: Expected mid-2026, marking the first major humanoid robotics company to go public
- Figure 03 targets homes: New Helix AI enables full upper-body control for domestic tasks
- Big money flows in: FieldAI's $405M round signals massive VC confidence in embodied AI
How Did China Beat Tesla in Humanoid Robot Sales?
The headline of the week came from Rest of World: Unitree and Agibot each sold more humanoid robots than Tesla's entire 2025 target of 5,000 units.
Let that sink in. Two Chinese companies—neither of which has Tesla's brand recognition or resources—outpaced Elon Musk's robotics ambitions.
According to Omdia's top-seller chart, only three non-Chinese companies appear: Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Tesla (each with roughly 150 units). China now has over 150 humanoid robot companies versus roughly 20 in the US. They're installing 10x more robots annually.
Our take: We've been tracking the best humanoid robots for years. The shift from US innovation leadership to Chinese production dominance mirrors EVs, solar panels, and consumer drones. Companies like Unitree aren't just cheaper—they're shipping at scale while others announce.
When Is Unitree's IPO Expected?
Caixin Global reported that Unitree is preparing for what would be the first major humanoid robotics company IPO, expected around mid-2026.
The filing reflects "soaring investor interest" in embodied intelligence. Chinese AI startups are rushing to public markets, and Unitree—with proven sales numbers and a diverse product lineup—is leading the charge.
Why it matters: A public Unitree means more stable supply chains, increased pricing transparency, and market legitimacy for the entire sector. IPO filings will reveal production costs and margins we've only been guessing at.
Our take: This validates what we've been saying: commercial humanoid robots aren't vaporware anymore. Monitor Q2 2026 for filing details.
What Makes Figure 03 Different from Previous Models?
Figure AI unveiled the Figure 03, a general-purpose humanoid designed specifically for home environments. The star is Helix—the first Vision-Language-Action model to control a robot's full upper body, including individual fingers, wrists, torso, and head.
Unlike industrial robots built for predictable factory floors, Figure 03 is designed for the chaos of real homes: cluttered counters, unpredictable layouts, curious pets.
Why it matters: Home humanoids are the holy grail. Factory applications prove the tech; home applications prove the market. Figure is betting big on consumer-facing robotics while competitors focus on enterprise.
Our take: The Figure lineup has been impressive in demos. The question is whether Helix's real-world performance matches the controlled videos. We're watching closely.
Why Did Mobileye Acquire Mentee Robotics?
At CES 2026, Intel subsidiary Mobileye announced the acquisition of Mentee Robotics—bringing an automotive tech giant into the humanoid space.
Mentee's third-generation humanoid is vertically integrated and AI-first, designed from the ground up for advanced autonomy. Autonomous driving and humanoid robotics share core technologies: perception, planning, real-time decision-making.
Why it matters: Mobileye brings billions in R&D and proven ADAS deployment experience. Watch for a competitor product by mid-2027. The automotive industry has the manufacturing capacity to scale robots faster than pure robotics startups.
What Does FieldAI's $405M Funding Mean for the Industry?
FieldAI secured $405 million for its embodied AI robotics platform—one of the largest funding rounds in robotics history.
The focus: software and AI infrastructure for physical robots, not hardware. FieldAI is betting that the AI/software layer is where the real value lies.
Why it matters: This signals VCs believe humanoid AI infrastructure is the next platform opportunity, similar to how cloud computing infrastructure became more valuable than individual applications.
Our take: The industry is bifurcating into hardware manufacturers and AI platform providers. Future competition may be more about software than servos.
Explore our complete market analysis for deeper insights.
What Should You Watch Next Week?
- Unitree IPO filings: Any Q2 2026 timeline hints or filing preparations
- Figure 03 hands-on reviews: First independent assessments of Helix in home environments
- Chinese government policy: Robot sports competitions and industry subsidies
The humanoid robot industry isn't coming—it's here. The question is no longer "if" but "who" and "how fast."
Frequently Asked Questions
How many humanoid robots has China sold compared to the US?
China's Unitree and Agibot each sold more humanoid robots than Tesla's entire 2025 target of 5,000 units. Only three non-Chinese companies (Figure AI, Agility Robotics, Tesla) made Omdia's top-seller chart—each with roughly 150 units sold.
When will Unitree go public?
Unitree's IPO is expected mid-2026, according to Caixin Global. This would make it the first major humanoid robotics company to go public, providing market validation and pricing transparency for the entire sector.
What is Figure 03's Helix AI?
Helix is the first Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model that controls a humanoid robot's full upper body—including individual fingers, wrists, torso, and head. It enables Figure 03 to perform complex domestic tasks in unpredictable home environments.
How much did FieldAI raise for embodied AI?
FieldAI raised $405 million for its embodied AI robotics platform—one of the largest funding rounds in robotics history. The company focuses on AI/software infrastructure rather than hardware manufacturing.
What's the humanoid robot market growth forecast?
The market is projected to grow from $3.14 billion (2025) to $13.25 billion (2029)—a 45.5% CAGR. Long-term projections reach $251 billion by 2035 and $5 trillion by 2050.
Why is China dominating humanoid robotics?
China has 150+ humanoid robot companies versus roughly 20 in the US. Chinese manufacturers are shipping at scale with competitive pricing while US companies are still in prototype or limited production phases. Government subsidies and manufacturing expertise accelerate their lead.
Stay ahead of the curve. Browse humanoid robots for sale or explore our complete buying guide.
