Shanghai Launches New-Generation Smart Manufacturing Action Targeting 8,000 Humanoid Robots in Factories by 2028

Key facts
EntityShanghai
Date12 Oct 2026
StatusRule
RegionChina & Restricted

On 12 October 2026, at the opening of the 26th China International Industry Fair, Shanghai launched the “Shanghai Action to Accelerate the Development of Next-Generation Smart Manufacturing.”

The plan sets 2028 targets of industrial robot density at 600 units per 10,000 workers and 8,000 humanoid robots entering factories, alongside full smart-factory coverage for key manufacturing enterprises and more than 2,000 AI application scenarios in manufacturing.

Who this affects

  • For exporters: Shanghai’s 2028 targets for 8,000 humanoid robots in factories and 600 industrial robots per 10,000 workers expand demand for related equipment and components under the New-Generation Smart Manufacturing Action.

  • For investors: The plan targets smart manufacturing system integration industry scale of 1,000 billion yuan and AI-empowered new smart manufacturing equipment industry scale of 2,000 billion yuan by 2028.

  • For counsel/compliance: The action implements four coordinated projects covering supply capability, integrated innovation, factory construction, and industrial ecosystem.

  • For policymakers: The plan aims for full coverage of smart factories in key manufacturing enterprises and full AI application popularization in those factories by 2028.

The read

Shanghai currently has 2 national leading-level and 28 national excellence-level smart factories, with smart manufacturing system integration exceeding 600 billion yuan and equipment output value exceeding 1,500 billion yuan.

The 2028 targets add a quantified humanoid deployment goal of 8,000 units alongside density and scenario metrics. The action is structured around four projects: Next-Generation Smart Manufacturing Supply Leadership, “AI+Manufacturing” Foundation Innovation, Smart Factory Gradient Cultivation, and Next-Generation Smart Manufacturing Ecosystem Building. The read: [needs analyst input]

What was the action?

Shanghai officially launched the “Shanghai Action to Accelerate the Development of Next-Generation Smart Manufacturing” on 12 October 2026 at the opening ceremony of the 26th China International Industry Fair.

What’s the penalty / scope, and how is it set?

No penalty is stated.

The action sets 2028 targets including industrial robot density of 600 per 10,000 people, 8,000 humanoid robots into factories, full coverage of smart factories for key manufacturing enterprises, full AI application popularization in smart factories, 500 advanced-level smart factories, more than 2,000 AI application scenarios in manufacturing, 10 advanced and applicable vertical domain large models, 300 high-level intelligent agents, smart manufacturing system integration industry scale of 1,000 billion yuan, and AI-empowered new smart manufacturing equipment industry scale of 2,000 billion yuan.

It advances through four projects on supply capability, integrated innovation, factory construction, and industrial ecosystem, building a data-driven, model-supported, scenario-guided, safety-controllable system across R&D design, production operations, operational management, product services, and supply chain management.

What happens next

The action plan is framed for implementation through 2028 across the stated targets and four projects.

Source of record
到2028年,上海将推动工业机器人密度达到每万人600台,推动8000台人形机器人进工厂。
Economic Reference, 13 October 2026 →
Robot Deployment Ledger — the running record
Narracomm · The Record

Robot Deployment Ledger

Which automotive, logistics, and industrial brands are deploying which humanoid/robot makers — contracts, pilots, and order sizes. The only running record of it.

Updated 14 Oct 2026 · Links open our coverage; primaries are cited there
Headline CompanyRegion DateCoverage
UBTECH and Xiamen C&D Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement for Humanoid Robot Scenario Deployment — China & Restricted 14 Oct 2026 Read More →
GMO AIR Opens Domestic Handling and Pre-Orders for Unitree G1+ Humanoid in Japan Unitree China & Restricted 13 Oct 2026 Read More →
Shanghai Launches New-Generation Smart Manufacturing Action Targeting 8,000 Humanoid Robots in Factories by 2028 — China & Restricted 13 Oct 2026 Read More →
UBTECH and FAW-Volkswagen Sign Strategic Cooperation on Embodied Intelligence Humanoids for Factory Logistics — — 10 Oct 2026 Read More →
Agility restates more than $300 million in Digit 5 orders as of May 2026 Agility Robotics U.S. & Allies 7 Oct 2026 Read More →
Figure announces commercial agreement to deploy humanoids at Catalyst Brands’ Reno distribution center Figure U.S. & Allies 3 Oct 2026 Read More →
Agility Robotics and FORT Robotics Sign MOU on Digit 5 Safety; Predecessors Past 65,000 Hours at Schaeffler, GXO, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Agility Robotics U.S. & Allies 1 Oct 2026 Read More →
Boston Dynamics opens Robotics Metaplant Application Center at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America; Group plans 25,000 Atlas units and a U.S. plant rated for 30,000 robots a year Boston Dynamics U.S. & Allies 21 Sep 2026 Read More →
Figure 03 arrives in Hall 52 at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg for a first logistics-sequencing demonstration; Figure 02 cited at 30,000 cars Figure U.S. & Allies 30 Jun 2026 Read More →
GXO Logistics and Agility Robotics sign a multi-year RaaS agreement to deploy Digit humanoids at a SPANX facility Agility Robotics U.S. & Allies 27 Jun 2024 Read More →
Last updated 13 Oct 2026 · Narracomm · The Record · every figure cites its primary above.
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x