The work spans reconnaissance, logistics, hazardous operations and urban combat. Some programs remain at the research or prototype stage, and there is no evidence that China has deployed armed humanoids in active combat.
One of the clearest examples comes from researchers at the National University of Defense Technology. An August 2025 study modeled an urban assault unit using six “combat robots”, which could include humanoids, quadrupeds or unmanned ground vehicles. The machines would operate alongside soldiers to clear an occupied building floor by floor. The paper used technology the researchers estimated could become available within five to 10 years, rather than describing an existing operational system.
State-owned defense group NORINCO has also publicly shown its Fuxi humanoid, a roughly 90 kg platform designed for reconnaissance, patrols and hazardous environments. The robot can reproduce a remote operator’s movements in real time and work in coordinated formations with other Fuxi units. NORINCO described the system as a way to keep human operators remote while robots carry out tasks on site.
Humanoids are being considered because their form factor could allow them to move through buildings, tunnels and other spaces designed for people while still manipulating tools and equipment. For simpler logistics and surveillance tasks, wheeled or quadruped systems remain cheaper and more mature.
