China’s robot rental market is expanding rapidly, emerging as a new business model that connects embodied AI technologies with commercial users. Industry officials say China’s humanoid robotics sector entered a new phase of scaled growth in the first quarter of 2026, driven by advances in production capacity, deliveries, and commercialization.
Robot rental services are gaining traction nationwide. In Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, a technology experience center offers 46 rentable devices, including humanoid robots, robotic dogs, robotic arms, and chess-playing robots, and has hosted nearly 1,000 rental and performance events since the beginning of 2026. A robotics rental center in Jinan, Shandong Province, reported that each robot is rented for an average of 10 to 15 days per month, generating approximately RMB 50,000 (US$7,000) in monthly rental revenue. Similar rental centers have also opened in Beijing, Guangzhou, and other cities.
According to iiMedia Research, China’s robot rental market is projected to exceed RMB 10 billion (US$1.4 billion) in 2026, representing a tenfold increase from 2025. Industry participants say demand is shifting from seasonal events and promotional activities toward more stable commercial applications. One rental platform reported that entertainment accounts for 27 percent of orders, while commercial marketing, service operations, education and tourism, and light manufacturing together make up the majority. Industry participants also cite standardization, insurance, and workforce development as key challenges to further expansion.
Source: People’s Daily, June 15, 2026
http://finance.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0615/c1004-40740490.html