China’s Eyou Opens Automated Line for Humanoid Robot Joints
China’s push to industrialise humanoid robotics took a significant step forward as Eyou Robot Technology opened what it describes as the world’s first fully automated production line dedicated to humanoid robot joints. The facility, located in Shanghai’s Pudong district, is designed to support a rapid scale up in domestic robot manufacturing as China races to secure an early lead in next generation automation. With an initial annual capacity of 100,000 joints and room to triple output, the plant positions Eyou to meet rising demand from Chinese humanoid robot developers who are moving from prototypes to commercial production. The launch underscores Beijing’s broader strategy of strengthening upstream components manufacturing to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers in advanced robotics and related technologies.
Founded in 2018, Eyou has emerged as a key supplier within China’s fast growing humanoid robot ecosystem, providing critical joint components that determine movement precision, durability and energy efficiency. These joints are among the most complex and cost intensive parts of humanoid robots, making them a strategic bottleneck for large scale deployment. Eyou achieved mass production in 2023 and reported deliveries of more than 95,000 joints in 2025, reflecting accelerating adoption by domestic robot makers. The company counts leading Chinese humanoid developers, including AgiBot, among its clients. Automating production is expected to improve consistency and reduce unit costs, a crucial factor as manufacturers aim to move humanoid robots beyond pilot projects and into industrial, commercial and service applications.
China is positioning humanoid robotics as a pillar of its advanced manufacturing ambitions, alongside electric vehicles, semiconductors and artificial intelligence. While humanoid robots remain at an early stage globally, Chinese policymakers and companies see an opportunity to leverage scale, supply chain depth and manufacturing expertise to accelerate commercialisation. Automated component production lines like Eyou’s are central to this effort, enabling faster iteration and tighter integration between hardware and software development. Industry forecasts point to a sharp increase in humanoid robot shipments later this decade as costs fall and performance improves, particularly in logistics, manufacturing assistance and public service roles. Control over core components such as joints gives suppliers like Eyou strategic importance within this emerging value chain.
The opening of the Pudong plant also highlights intensifying competition within China’s robotics supply base, as companies race to secure long term contracts with leading robot developers. As more firms enter the humanoid space, demand is expected to shift from low volume custom parts to standardised, high reliability components produced at scale. That transition favours players with automation, capital and early mover advantages. For China, success in humanoid robotics would reinforce its ambition to move up the global manufacturing ladder and shape standards in a field still taking form. Eyou’s investment signals confidence that humanoid robots will move rapidly from concept to commercial reality, with China aiming to anchor the supply chain from core components upward.
