Unitree Robotics founder Wang Xingxing said physical, embodied AI could reach a “ChatGPT moment” as early as 2027, but turning breakthroughs into reliable commercial products remains a major challenge. Wang made the remarks while speaking at the 2026 World Physical AI Conference and the Unitree Partner Ecosystem Conference in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Humanoid robots face commercialization hurdles
Wang said the industry is showing early signs of a major technological breakthrough that could arrive within one to three years, but a central difficulty is aligning AI models’ inputs and outputs with robots’ physical actions so machines can autonomously perform tasks in unfamiliar environments. He has previously described the sector’s defining milestone as the point at which robots can adapt to most unfamiliar environments and independently complete the majority of practical tasks using voice or text instructions.
The broader industry is moving beyond demonstrations toward early commercial applications, supported by advances in hardware, AI models and manufacturing capabilities. According to IDC, global humanoid robot shipments exceeded 18,000 units in 2025, led by Chinese manufacturers; however, more than 85 percent of deployments were concentrated in performances, education, data collection and guided tours rather than large-scale industrial operations.
Analysts warn the gap between demonstrations and practical deployment remains large. In January, Gartner predicted fewer than 20 companies worldwide would move humanoid robots into production-stage manufacturing and supply-chain applications by 2028, citing limitations in dexterity, adaptability, battery life and cost-effectiveness. The International Federation of Robotics has emphasized that humanoid robots must meet demanding industrial requirements for reliability, efficiency, energy consumption and maintenance costs before they can compete with conventional automation.
For China’s rapidly expanding robotics sector, observers say the next phase of competition will depend not only on locomotion and complex movements, but on whether robots can consistently complete useful tasks in factories, warehouses and other real-world environments. Wang’s prediction signals technological ambition, but industry watchers note that achieving a true “ChatGPT moment” will require robots to demonstrate both improved intelligence and the reliability and affordability needed for widespread adoption.
Unitree, which debuted on Shanghai’s STAR Market on August 19, has attracted significant investor attention. Its shares surged 16.15 percent on Monday—its biggest single-day gain since listing, excluding the debut session—lifting the company’s market capitalization back above 200 billion yuan ($29.96 billion). The shares closed up 0.97 percent at 520 yuan per share on Thursday.
Despite market enthusiasm, Unitree cautioned against excessive optimism. On Wednesday the company warned the humanoid robotics industry remains in the early stages of commercialization, citing uncertainties around technological maturity, market demand and supply-chain development. It also noted its price-to-earnings ratio stood at 388.25 as of Tuesday, far above the industry average of 39.51, highlighting potential valuation risks if large-scale commercial adoption falls short of expectations.
