It seems like the robotics industry is ready to make another big step forward this year. China wants to be a big player in this technology and is investing heavily for it. Honor, best known for its smartphones, will officially unveil its first humanoid service robot this weekend at MWC 2026. This will be the company’s first step into a sector currently experiencing explosive growth.
Honor’s move is the result of a massive multibillion-dollar initiative focused on “embodied AI.” That is, intelligence that lives in a physical, moving body. While competitors like Xiaomi and Oppo are also exploring AI agents, Honor is positioning itself as the first major smartphone manufacturer to dive headfirst into the humanoid consumer-service segment.
Honor to announce its first-ever Honor humanoid service robot
Many humanoid robots today are designed for heavy lifting in factories or logistics. However, Honor is aiming for something more personal. According to reports, this new machine is optimized for consumer services, specifically tasks like shopping assistance.
Interestingly, Honor’s humanoid robot won’t be traveling alone. The firm plans to showcase it alongside the first working prototype of its “Robot Phone.” This tech concept device features a unique gimbal-mounted pop-up camera that can autonomously track subjects, effectively acting as a tiny, desk-bound robot that follows your movement.
China leads the global robotics race
Honor is entering the market at a time when China has firmly taken the lead in the robotics industry. According to data from the research firm Omdia, the global market saw a staggering 500% revenue growth in 2025 alone. Last year, out of the 13,000 humanoid robots shipped worldwide, the vast majority originated in China.
Local companies like AgiBot and Unitree are currently outperforming Western rivals in terms of shipment volumes and pricing. For instance, while a Tesla Optimus might cost between $20,000 and $30,000, Chinese models are entering the market at much lower price points—some as low as $6,000. Honor’s upcoming entry will add even more pressure to the global competition.
As we wait for the official keynote on March 1st, the big question remains: how ready is this robot for current homes? Whether we see a fully functional prototype or a conceptual vision, we won’t have to wait long to find out.
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