China introduces digital ID system for humanoid robots in Hubei

Humanoid robots in Hubei, China are being assigned official identity numbers in a new initiative designed to track their full lifecycle, marking the first such deployment in the country.

The system is intended to enable regulators and developers to monitor each robot from production through to operation, maintenance and eventual reuse, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The initiative is being led by the Hubei Humanoid Robot Innovation Centre in Wuhan.

Each robot is assigned a 29-character code, which incorporates detailed information such as manufacturer, product model, serial number, hardware configuration, intelligence level and factory data.

The system is reportedly designed to function in a similar way to human identity numbers in China, with additional characters enabling expanded technical tracking.

The digital identification platform will also store operational data throughout a robot’s lifespan, including maintenance history, application scenarios and performance records.

Real-time information such as joint wear, battery condition and movement accuracy can be accessed through a centralised database linked to each robot’s ID.

The system is expected to improve fault diagnosis, streamline maintenance and clarify responsibility in the event of malfunctions.

Officials also suggest the database could support secondary markets by allowing potential users to review a robot’s full service history and condition prior to resale or redeployment.

The Innovation Centre has already completed initial coding tests and application filings for early-stage enterprises submitted to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Full rollout is expected once national technical standards are finalised.

Early participants include firms across Hubei’s robotics supply chain, among them Optics Valley Dongzhi, Glroad, Hubei Qirobotics, Jingchu Humanoid Robot, HandX, Guanggu Haribit and Maxnova.

Some of these robots have already undergone unified coding and registration and are currently being deployed in industrial manufacturing, commercial services and training environments.

Industry data cited in the reports suggests global humanoid robot shipments reached around 17,000 units in 2025, with a market value of approximately 2.88 billion yuan ($422,9 million). China reportedly accounts for the majority share, with more than 140 manufacturers and around 14,400 units shipped.

Despite rapid expansion, the sector remains fragmented, with limited unified standards for traceability, safety oversight and data exchange. The new identification framework is intended to address these gaps, strengthen regulatory control and improve safety and accountability across the industry.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov