China is training humanoid robots to perform everyday tasks using virtual reality-guided instruction and large-scale data collection, as researchers aim to accelerate the machines’ ability to function in real-world environments.
Across multiple sites, including a 10,000-square-meter facility in Shijiazhuang and research hubs in Wuhan’s East Lake High-tech Development Zone, human operators are directing robots through physical movements using VR headsets and controllers. The robots mirror those motions in real time, allowing engineers to capture detailed data on how tasks are performed, from handling objects to navigating space.
Because humanoid robots must interact with physical environments, researchers are focusing on collecting information related to force, pressure, and joint movement. The resulting data is uploaded, refined, and then used to train the machines, enabling them to gradually improve through repetition.
Training takes place in environments designed to replicate real-world conditions. Facilities include mock living spaces, industrial workshops, and specialized areas for tasks such as logistics and caregiving. In some centers, around 100 robots repeat the same activity thousands of times, practicing actions like folding materials, sorting items, and cleaning surfaces to improve consistency and accuracy.
This repetition-driven approach has led to measurable gains. Some research teams report success rates reaching 95% for tasks that had previously posed challenges for humanoid systems.
The effort is part of a broader national push to scale humanoid robotics. By the end of last year, China had established more than 40 state-backed robot data centers, with 24 already operational. These facilities are designed to generate large datasets needed to support deployment beyond controlled environments.
Commercial applications are already emerging. According to Chosun Biz, three centers in Jiangxi, Guangxi, and Sichuan have generated 566 million yuan (about $80 million USD) in revenue for robotics company UBTECH.
In Wuhan, members of the public can observe the technology firsthand at the 7S Humanoid Robot Store, where robots demonstrate basic functions and respond to commands as development continues.
