A humanoid robot works on an assembly and loading task at a competition in Shanghai, reaching for parts from crates. [Photo/WeChat ID: zjpark]

Shanghai's artificial intelligence industry exceeded 330 billion yuan ($49.4 billion) in the first half of 2026, growing 22.6 percent year-on-year.

Pudong New Area accounted for about one-third of the city's AI industry and emerged as a major hub for humanoid robots and real-world applications, according to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.

The district is home to more than 1,800 AI companies, including over 150 focused on embodied intelligence.

AgiBot, a humanoid robot manufacturer based in Pudong, shipped more than 8,600 units during the period, capturing 35 percent of the global market and more than 45 percent of China's market.

The 20,000th humanoid robot delivered by AgiBot rolls off the production line. [Photo/WeChat ID: zjpark]

Humanoids developed by local companies are entering industrial settings. AgiBot's robots have been deployed on a battery production line at SAIC-GM's Ultium super plant, and Kepler K2 humanoid robots have entered the automaker's logistics facility.

Pudong is also strengthening its ecosystem across chips, sensors, control systems, robot manufacturing and application scenarios, while building training facilities to help robots develop and verify practical skills.

Shanghai aims to grow its embodied intelligence industry's core output to more than 50 billion yuan by 2027, identify 100 high-value application scenarios, and build capacity to deploy 10,000 robots by the end of 2026.

A humanoid robot waves while on duty at a retail store in Shanghai. [Photo/WeChat ID: zjpark]