Wang Xingxing, the CEO, CTO, and founder of the Chinese robotics startup Unitree, has predicted that humanoid robots might experience a transformative shift akin to a 'ChatGPT moment' within the next two to three years. This assertion was made during his address at the 2025 World Robot Conference.

Wang highlighted that the first half of this year has witnessed remarkable growth in China's humanoid robot sector, garnering substantial global interest. Companies engaged in this field, encompassing both manufacturers of complete machines and component suppliers, reported impressive average growth rates ranging from 50 to 100 percent.

Among the notable products is Unitree's humanoid robot G1, available from 99,000 yuan, approximately 13,780.31 dollars, which has been recognized as one of the most widely distributed humanoid robots on an international scale.

During his remarks, Wang drew parallels between the current stage of humanoid robot development and the period leading up to the launch of ChatGPT, noting that while the industry has established a clear development trajectory, concrete advancements have yet to be fully realized.

According to Xin Guobin, vice minister of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the overall robotics industry in China saw a 27.8 percent surge in operating revenue during the first half of 2025 relative to the previous year. Moreover, production figures indicate that industrial robots experienced a 35.6 percent increase, while service robots rose by 25.5 percent.

In July, Unitree initiated its IPO counseling, and at a recent press conference, Wang mentioned the company's ongoing efforts with 'standard' listing procedures. He likened the experience of going public to the rigor of a college entrance exam, emphasizing it as a crucial phase for refining management and operational maturity, reflecting the accomplishments of the past nine years.

Unitree's newest humanoid robot, the R1, is priced starting at 39,900 yuan, or about 5,500 dollars. Wang remarked that prices for robots are rapidly decreasing, and smaller models are likely to become even more economically accessible.

When posed with the question of whether robots could eventually be offered for free, Wang suggested that a significant perception shift would occur once robots are capable of performing meaningful tasks effectively.

Looking ahead, Wang forecasted that shipments of humanoid robots could potentially double each year, with major breakthroughs possibly propelling annual volumes into the hundreds of thousands or even millions within the next two to three years.

This expectation aligns with the trend of innovation and demand that continues to drive the robotics industry, positioning it for substantial growth in the global market.