Chinese tech giant Honor is poised to unveil its first humanoid robot at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 this month, marking a bold entry into the embodied AI sector. The move positions the former Huawei subsidiary as the first smartphone manufacturer to venture into consumer-oriented robotics, targeting home services, daily assistance, and smart companionship markets.
Technical Edge in Motion
Developed since its initial research disclosure in May 2025, Honor's robot features bionic joint design and dynamic balance algorithms enabling speeds of 4 meters per second — outpacing Boston Dynamics' Atlas by 14%. CEO Li Jian emphasized at November's World Internet Conference that such AI devices represent the future of human-machine interaction, acting as bridges between digital and physical worlds.
Industry Momentum Builds
Xiaomi accelerated the competition this month by open-sourcing its Xiaomi-Robotics-0 foundation model, while vivo established a Robotics Lab in 2025 focused on AI "brains" and imaging systems. Apple's reported tabletop robot project, revealed in August 2025, signals global tech giants' shared conviction in home-focused AI companions.
Analysts note smartphone makers' hardware expertise gives them critical advantages in what could become a $150 billion embodied AI market by 2030. With MWC 2026 set to showcase these developments, industry watchers anticipate accelerated innovation cycles across Asia's tech sector.
