Humanoid robots in China are now getting their own official identities. In Hubei province, some robots will become the first in the country to receive unique ID card numbers, allowing authorities to track their full life-cycle activities.

The 29-character code includes details such as the robot’s brand nationality, manufacturer, product model, serial number, hardware specifications, intelligence level, and factory records, according to online media reports. The move aims to improve traceability and accountability as China’s humanoid robotics industry rapidly expands.

Robots gain passports

The project is being led by the Hubei Humanoid Robot Innovation Center in Wuhan as China continues expanding the use of humanoid robots across industrial and commercial sectors.

Similar to Chinese citizen ID numbers, each robot will receive a unique identification code with 11 additional characters. The humanoid robot identity system will also support detailed operational monitoring beyond basic registration data. The digital ID platform can store and track equipment maintenance history, application scenarios, and performance records throughout a robot’s lifespan, as reported by China Daily.

According to the innovation center, real-time operational data such as joint wear, battery condition, and movement accuracy can be accessed through a centralized management platform linked to each robot’s unique identification number. The system is designed to help technicians quickly identify faults by reviewing operational logs and maintenance histories tied to a robot’s ID. Officials say the records could also help determine responsibility in the event of malfunctions and improve maintenance efficiency.

The identity database may further support the resale and reuse of humanoid robots. Future users will be able to review a robot’s service history, operating condition, and past performance records directly through its ID profile, reducing the need for repeated inspections or testing before deployment.

China standardizes robots

The innovation center has already completed application filings and coding tests for the first batch of enterprises and products submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Official issuance of the numbering system will begin once relevant national standards are released.

The initial participating companies include several firms from Hubei’s humanoid robotics industry chain, such as Optics Valley Dongzhi, Glroad, Hubei Qirobotics, Jingchu Humanoid Robot, HandX, Guanggu Haribit, and Maxnova. Some humanoid robots from these companies have already undergone unified coding and registration. These systems are currently being applied in industrial manufacturing, commercial services, and training demonstrations, according to China Daily.

Industry data shows global humanoid robot shipments reached around 17,000 units in 2025, with a market size of approximately 2.88 billion yuan. China accounts for a dominant share, with over 140 manufacturers and about 14,400 units shipped, representing roughly 84.7 percent of global output. The domestic market size is estimated at 1.55 billion yuan, or 53.8 percent of the global total.

Despite rapid growth, the industry still faces fragmented technical standards and limited unified frameworks for traceability, safety supervision, and data exchange. The new identification system is intended to address these gaps and support large-scale, high-quality development. It may also improve safety and security oversight by enabling faster traceability in cases involving malfunctions, data risks or operational incidents, helping clarify responsibility and reduce risks of misuse, or information breaches, China Daily reported.