Tesla's Optimus May Soon Have Company as China's BYD Confirms Its First Humanoid Robot Will Debut in August
China already dominates early humanoid production. Reuters reported that Chinese companies shipped about 90% of the roughly 13,000 humanoid robots delivered worldwide in 2025, although researchers continue to question how quickly the machines can perform un...
Key takeaways
- The Trump administration announced on July 28 2026 that the Federal Communications Commission will bar imports of new Chinese humanoid and quadruped robots, as well as related power inverters, citing national‑security risks to the U.S.
- AI build‑out and targeting firms such as Unitree that hold a large share of the global market.
- In the aviation sector, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines joined Southwest in prohibiting human‑like robotic devices from aircraft cabins and checked baggage, a policy rolled out in late June and early July to address safety concerns over heavy‑duty batteries.
- Meanwhile, Chinese automaker BYD confirmed it will unveil its first humanoid robot in August at a “Di Space” venue, planning an open platform and eventual deployment of robot sales advisors in its stores.
- On the education front, a rural New York school district paused its plan to install a Realbotix humanoid robot in classrooms after state officials, teachers and community members raised privacy and safety objections.
China already dominates early humanoid production. Reuters reported that Chinese companies shipped about 90% of the roughly 13,000 humanoid robots delivered worldwide in 2025, although researchers continue to question how quickly the machines can perform unscripted, economically useful work at scale.
Samsung, Hyundai And Rivian Join Push
The field is widening. Samsung Electronics recently created a CEO-level Robotics eXperience division to accelerate humanoid development and commercialization. Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd. plans to deploy Boston Dynamics' Atlas robots at its Georgia factory from 2028. BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li, in an interview in June, framed retail as the robot's first practical market. "My goal is to place two or three robots in every store," she said, describing machines that could explain products, demonstrate vehicles and interact with customers. She said robots should support salespeople rather than replace the emotional connection human staff provide.
The company formed a dedicated humanoid robotics laboratory in late 2024 and has invested in Chinese robotics developers while testing machines from Unitree and UBTech in its factories. BYD has denied reports claiming it already deployed 150 in-house humanoids or planned 20,000 units this year.
Tesla Competition Accelerates Humanoid Robot Race
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