More "enthusiasm" in China about humanoid robots than in U.S., survey shows

Investing.com - Chinese consumers seem to have a more enthusiastic view of the potential of humanoid robots than their U.S. counterparts, according to a survey conducted by Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS).

In a note on Monday, the brokerage said its study revealed "major gaps in sentiment" between how U.S. and Chinese consumers view the new technology, which could see these machines transform from amusing spectacles into functional -- and possibly productive -- workers.

The survey of roughly 4,000 respondents from both the U.S. and China posed questions around the attitudes to these robots.

A net positive of 34% and 32% of respondents in the U.S. said they believe humanoids will have many viable use cases and see wide-scale adoption within the next five years.

Meanwhile, Chinese consumers responded with a net positive 67% and 66% to the same questions -- doubling those of the U.S.

The gap was even wider for a question regarding the positive overall impact of humanoids on society. On a net basis, some 61% of Chinese respondents said they would, compared to just 5% in the U.S.

"In our view, the wide gap in U.S./China optimism is materially influenced by the degree of media coverage and government support in each country," the analysts said. "In China, humanoids have made frequent appearances in numerous high-profile public and government-sponsored events, ranging from half marathons, boxing competitions, soccer matches, and dance performances."

Nearly every major city and province in China has announced government-sponsored development plans or investments aimed at supporting the humanoid robot industry, they added. Beijing has also actively encouraged growth in the sector, as it aims to find new solutions to increased trade tensions with the U.S., a declining population, and tepid economic growth.

China’s advances in artificial intelligence, such as the recent emergence of domestic AI player DeepSeek, are helping robotics firms in the country further advance both the software and hardware capabilities of these machines, Reuters has reported.

"In our informed opinion, China is in a commanding lead in Physical AI [...] with current tactics mirroring those that led to the country becoming the global leader in electric vehicles, drones, batteries, solar, and more," the Morgan Stanley analysts said.