BEIJING, WASHINGTON – The global competition between the United States and China in advanced technology is moving beyond artificial intelligence and into robotics, with Chinese companies rapidly gaining ground in the race to build the next generation of intelligent machines.
A new analysis of the world’s most valuable private startups shows that robotics has become one of the fastest-growing technology sectors, producing 23 new billion-dollar companies in 2026. China and the United States dominate the field, accounting for 21 of those new robotics unicorns.
The report, based on data from Crunchbase’s Unicorn Board, PitchBook and other investment sources, examined private startups valued at more than US$1 billion. A total of 149 companies reached unicorn status across all sectors in 2026, but robotics emerged as the second most active category behind artificial intelligence.
AI startups produced the largest number of new unicorns, with 36 companies reaching a combined valuation of US$73.5 billion. Robotics followed with 23 startups valued collectively at US$39.9 billion.
China dominates robotics growth
China has established a clear advantage in the robotics sector, creating 15 of the 23 new robotics unicorns this year, including one company based in Hong Kong. The United States produced six.
Chinese robotics startups reached a combined valuation of US$27.5 billion, almost three times higher than the US$10 billion combined valuation of American robotics unicorns.
The most valuable newly created robotics companies are also largely Chinese. AI2 Robotics and X Square Robot lead the ranking with valuations of approximately US$3 billion each. They are followed by Xvariable Robot and Xinghaitu, both valued at around US$2.9 billion.
Other major robotics unicorns include China’s Sudu Technology and DEEP Robotics, while American companies such as Mind Robotics, Generalist, Bedrock Robotics, Rhoda AI and Sunday have also crossed the billion-dollar threshold.
Investors betting on machines powered by AI
The rapid growth of robotics reflects a broader shift in the technology industry. Investors are increasingly focusing on “embodied AI,” a field where artificial intelligence is integrated into physical machines capable of interacting with the real world.
According to Alan Goldberg, lead data analyst at BestBrokers.com, the latest figures suggest that China’s manufacturing advantage may already be translating into leadership in robotics.
“Many people have assumed that China's manufacturing strength would eventually give it an edge in robotics, and this year's unicorn data suggests that may already be happening,” Goldberg said.
He noted that investors appear to believe the next major phase of artificial intelligence will not only exist on computer screens but will also be built into machines.
“China accounts for nearly two-thirds of this year’s newly minted robotics unicorns, but more importantly it is home to all four of the highest-valued new entrants,” Goldberg said.
Humanoid robots attract global attention
The competition is not limited to China and the United States. Japan and the United Kingdom each produced one robotics unicorn in 2026.
UK-based Humanoid became Europe’s first pure-play humanoid robotics unicorn after raising US$152 million in a Series A funding round, bringing its valuation to US$1.35 billion.
Japan’s Genki Robotics also reached unicorn status following a Series A investment round that valued the company at US$1 billion. The company was founded in 2025 by Android co-founder Andy Rubin and focuses on humanoid robots powered by embodied AI.
The growing number of robotics startups reaching billion-dollar valuations highlights how governments and investors are preparing for a future where intelligent machines could transform manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, security and everyday life.
With China currently leading in the number and value of new robotics unicorns, the technology race between Beijing and Washington is increasingly becoming a race to control the next generation of physical artificial intelligence.