The Rise of Humanoid Robots Is Driving Demand Across the Cobot Supply Chain

Collaborative robot (cobot) and actuator suppliers are benefiting from the rapid growth in humanoid robot production. According to our latest research, global humanoid robot production exceeded 20,000 units in 2025 and is set to more than triple in 2026. Many humanoid manufacturers are prioritizing software, AI training, and application development, and then relying on established suppliers with proven manufacturing capabilities as production scales to source hardware. This is creating significant opportunities across the cobot supply chain.

This insight follows on from our previous article on the same topic. Here, we explore demand for cobot arms and actuators in humanoid applications, their key features and the leading suppliers.

Existing cobot technology is well positioned for humanoid applications

Robot arms are critical to humanoids, enabling precise movements and tasks such as material handling and assembly. Collaborative robots already offer mature capabilities in precise motion, force control and human-robot interaction. Many cobot vendors also have experience with dual-arm coordination and integrating AI capabilities into their robots. These capabilities provide a strong technological foundation for humanoid applications.

Existing cobot arms can, in some cases, be adapted for humanoid torsos with relatively limited modifications, including reducing weight and size, adding an additional degree of freedom and adopting controllers capable of coordinating both arms. Many technologies already used in cobots can therefore be applied to humanoids directly or with limited customization.

Different hardware strategies create opportunities across the supply chain

Humanoid OEMs adopt different approaches to hardware development. Some develop robot arms and key components largely in-house to maximize customization and control costs. Unitree and 1X Technologies are examples of this approach.

Others purchase key components, such as actuators, and assemble the complete robot in-house. AgiBot, UBTECH, and Hexagon Robotics are examples of this model. A third group purchases complete cobot arms from established suppliers. AgiBot and Jack, a major Chinese sewing equipment manufacturer that has invested heavily in humanoid robotics, are among the notable customers purchasing cobot arms in 2026.

These strategies often overlap, with OEMs manufacturing some components internally while sourcing others externally based on cost, technical requirements, production scale and development priorities.

Humanoid robots could consume more than one-third of cobot shipments in 2026

Our research predicts cobot shipments to humanoid manufacturers to surge from 5,000 units in 2025 to more than 43,000 units this year. Chinese suppliers account for most of this volume, reflecting both the concentration of humanoid production in China and local suppliers’ ability to customize quickly and compete on price.

The conventional cobot market is also growing, with global shipments forecast to increase 22.7% year over year in 2026. However, humanoid-driven demand is scaling much faster. Based on announced orders from key cobot suppliers, we estimate that humanoid applications will account for 37% of total cobot shipments in 2026.

We forecast externally sourced arms to capture a growing share of humanoid production as more cobot vendors introduce dedicated products across a wider range of specifications and price points. By 2030, cobot vendors’ shipments of humanoid robot arms are expected to reach 124,000 units, approaching the units of cobots set to be shipped to other sectors combined. Humanoid robotics is therefore emerging as a significant new growth market for cobot suppliers.

Key suppliers are emerging rapidly in the humanoid arm segment

Tianji (Gento Robotics) reported shipments of more than 2,000 humanoid robot arms in 2025 and 10,000 units on order as of Q1 2026. This represents a significant shift from its previously limited presence in the industrial and collaborative robot markets, suggesting that humanoid arms have become a key growth engine for the company.

Rokae, Fairino and Huayan Robotics are well-known robot suppliers for manufacturing applications and are rapidly expanding into the humanoid arm segment. Rokae’s shipments have grown rapidly since launching dedicated products and collaborating with AgiBot in 2025. Fairino, known for its aggressive pricing, is actively introducing new models for humanoid applications in 2026, while Huayan, formerly Han’s Robot and a partner of Neura Robotics, is likewise expanding its portfolio for the segment.

Humanoid applications are driving new requirements for cobot arms

Dedicated humanoid arms typically differ from conventional six-axis cobots in several ways.

A seven-axis design provides greater flexibility, and a cross-coupled wrist shortens the distance between the mounting flange and wrist center, enabling operation in confined spaces without repositioning the entire arm.

Force control is another critical requirement. Humanoid arms need to sense contact forces and adapt their movements in real time, with torque sensors commonly integrated into each joint.

Payload and weight are also key considerations. Most humanoid arms offer 3-10 kg payloads, with few reaching 15-20 kg. A high payload-to-weight ratio is critical, as arm weight directly affects the robot’s compactness and runtime.

Cobot arms sold for humanoid applications typically command higher prices than conventional cobots from the same suppliers, reflecting additional axes, advanced force-control capabilities, and customization requirements.

Humanoid robotics could reshape the cobot supplier landscape

The expansion of humanoid robot production is creating significant new demand for cobot arms and key components. While the current market for cobot arms supplied to humanoid makers is concentrated largely among Chinese suppliers and customers, geopolitical considerations and supply-chain diversification could encourage more humanoid startups in other regions to source arms from local or international vendors.

For robot arm and component manufacturers, this creates an opportunity to develop products specifically for humanoid robots and physical AI. The impact is already visible in China, where exposure to humanoids is helping some cobot suppliers secure large orders and revenue. As production scales, humanoid robots could create a new competitive tier within the broader cobot market.