VDMA urges Europe to prioritise humanoid robotics in 2026

TL;DR

• VDMA called on European policymakers to put humanoid robotics and physical AI higher on the political agenda in 2026.
• VDMA deputy executive director Hartmut Rauen said Europe needs resilient domestic value chains, including local production of critical components, to compete with China.
• Smart Analytics Global said global humanoid robot shipments reached 19,100 units in H1 2026, with Chinese manufacturers holding more than 97% share.

VDMA called on European policymakers to place humanoid robotics and physical AI at the top of the political agenda in 2026. The Frankfurt-based German engineering association said Europe has strong industrial companies, startups and research capabilities, but needs to improve its ability to scale production.

Hartmut Rauen, deputy executive director of VDMA, said Germany and Europe need resilient value chains to compete for leadership in humanoid robotics and physical AI. He said this should include domestic production of critical components. VDMA represents around 3,500 companies in Germany and Europe’s mechanical and plant engineering sector.

Rauen made the comments after the Shanghai trading debut of Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree. Mobile World Live reported Unitree shares rose 629% before closing at CNY845, more than 460% above the IPO price of CNY150.80. The listing was described as the first mainland Chinese stock market debut by a humanoid robot maker.

Smart Analytics Global said global humanoid robot shipments nearly quadrupled to 19,100 units in the first half of 2026. The research firm said Chinese manufacturers accounted for more than 97% of shipments and that China represented more than 85% of global humanoid robot demand.

Related questions

• What did VDMA ask European policymakers to do on humanoid robotics?
• What market share did Chinese manufacturers hold in humanoid robot shipments in H1 2026?
• How did Unitree perform in its Shanghai market debut?