August 19 marked a pivotal day for the robotics industry, with two landmark events unfolding simultaneously. In Beijing's Yizhuang area, the 2026 World Robot Conference officially opened its doors, featuring over 300 exhibitors and more than 2,000 products on display. On the very same day, the leading humanoid robot manufacturer, often dubbed the "first humanoid robot stock," made its debut on the STAR Market with an IPO price of RMB 150.80 per share, completing the journey from subscription to listing in just nine days.
Industry data paints a clear picture of the sector's explosive growth. According to Smart Analytics Global, worldwide humanoid robot shipments reached 19,100 units in the first half of 2026, a year-on-year surge of 272%. More significantly, industrial and commercial applications now account for over 70% of these shipments, up from roughly 50% just a year ago. Robots are rapidly evolving from "big toys" performing flips at exhibitions into genuine productivity tools capable of real-world work.
Looking at the domestic humanoid robot landscape, Chinese manufacturers captured 97% of global shipments in the first half of 2026. Among them, Zhiyuan led the pack with 8,400 units shipped, while Unitree followed closely with 5,900 units. Unitree's revenue trajectory underscores the sector's momentum, climbing from RMB 159 million in 2023 to RMB 1.69 billion in 2025. The company achieved profitability in 2024, and by 2025, its humanoid robot business generated RMB 868 million in revenue, representing 52% of its core business income and emerging as the primary growth driver.
As the industry heats up, investors face a practical question: how to choose the right investment vehicle? The robotics supply chain is extensive, and different indices offer varying levels of "purity." Currently, the two most prominent indices with tracking products are the Guozheng Robot Industry Index and the CSI Robot Index. In simple terms, the Guozheng Robot Industry Index takes a more "hardcore" approach, concentrating on robot bodies and core components, with priority given to companies producing reducers, servo motors, sensors, dexterous hands, and other essential hardware. Its top ten constituents account for approximately 40% of total weight, reflecting a relatively diversified portfolio. Following the June rebalancing, over 90% of this index's weight is now tied to humanoid robot-related stocks.
In contrast, the CSI Robot Index covers a broader spectrum of the robotics industry chain. Its selection criteria extend beyond robot bodies and components to include companies providing software, system integration, and automation equipment that support robot manufacturing. The top ten constituents of this index hold around 60% of total weight, indicating a more concentrated positioning. These differing approaches translate directly into market performance. Taking the rebound rally since August as an example, as of August 18, the Guozheng Robot Industry Index had climbed nearly 12%, while the CSI Robot Index rose 8.6%—both capturing the robotics theme, but with noticeably different levels of volatility and upside.
For those looking to gain exposure, Robot ETF Yifangda (159530) currently stands as the largest ETF tracking the Guozheng Robot Industry Index, having attracted net inflows exceeding RMB 5 billion this year, leading all robotics-themed ETFs. Investors without a stock trading account can also participate through the Yifangda Guozheng Robot Industry ETF Feeder Fund (A/C: 020972/020973), which offers a convenient one-click entry point into this rapidly evolving sector.