China launches national digital ID system for humanoid robots
China has launched a national ‘digital ID’ system for its rapidly growing humanoid robot sector, providing each machine with a 29-digit identification code to facilitate secure tracking and governance.
The initiative establishes an integrated framework to ensure safety, accountability, and standardised management, supported by a national platform for full lifecycle management of humanoid robots launched simultaneously in Beijing.
Led by standardisation bodies under China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the platform forms the backbone of new regulations requiring each humanoid robot to have a unique code.
Developed by leading national standardisation bodies, the digital identity acts as a comprehensive ‘passport’ for each machine.
The code enables end-to-end tracing throughout the robot’s lifecycle, from manufacturing and sales to daily use and final recycling.
The 29-digit code is meticulously structured into four segments: two-digit country code, four-digit company code, six-digit product model code, and 17-digit serial number. This combination forms a robust tracking system for precise identification.
Yu Xiuming, vice president of the China Electronics Standardization Institute, stated that the code ensures robots remain controllable across various fields, industries, and roles.
The move addresses core safety, management, and governance issues, accelerating practical applications of humanoid robots.
This regulatory enhancement comes at a critical juncture. China’s humanoid robot industry is experiencing rapid growth, with domestic shipment volumes expected to dominate the global total by 2025.
Despite over 500 major companies concentrated in domestic hubs, rapid expansion has led to growth constraints marked by fragmented coding systems among manufacturers and unclear liability boundaries.
The new standards enforce strict ‘no code, no market access’ rules. All robots sold or operated domestically must be registered under the regulations. Manufacturers are now required to recall defective products, while repairing and reselling used robots is strictly prohibited.
A senior official from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said the platform creates a closed-loop governance mechanism covering research and development, production, maintenance, and recycling, ensuring risks are mitigated and responsibilities traced to their source.
Since its launch, over 100 companies have joined the scheme, issuing full lifecycle codes for more than 28,000 humanoid robots across 200 product models.
‘High-quality globalisation of humanoid robots requires standardised management with uniform rules,’ Yu said.
‘This initiative not only provides a technical foundation for international recognition and cross-border circulation but also strengthens China’s role in shaping global standards and competitiveness in the sector,’ he added.