China Launches National ID Coding System for Full Lifecycle Management of Humanoid Robots

China has launched the country’s first full lifecycle management service platform for humanoid robots at a working conference held in the Beijing Economic and Technological Development Zone. Accompanied by the release of the official management specification, the new system introduces a unified 29-character unique ID code for every humanoid robot, enabling full-chain traceability covering production, operation, maintenance and recycling.

China’s humanoid robot industry has entered a rapid expansion phase with accelerating technological iteration and large-scale commercial deployment. In 2025, the country’s domestic humanoid robot shipments accounted for over 90 percent of the global total, with leading enterprises ranking first worldwide in delivery volume. More than 500 key firms cluster in three major industrial regions including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. Product development has shifted from technical demonstration to practical commercial application, speeding up real-world scenario implementation.

The fast-growing market has brought new industrial governance challenges. Disparate enterprise coding rules have hindered cross-industry and cross-scenario identification and data interconnection. The widespread adoption of humanoid robots in public and industrial settings has raised safety supervision pressure, while ambiguous lifecycle responsibility boundaries have created obstacles for risk tracing and accountability.

The newly unveiled 29-character ID framework provides a standardised solution for industrial governance. Designed through consultations with major industry players, the immutable single lifelong code consists of four structured segments. The two-digit national code supports cross-border circulation and overseas tracing. The four-digit enterprise code identifies manufacturers to clarify responsible entities. The six-digit model code records product specifications and production information, while the 17-digit serial number enables precise individual-level tracking throughout the entire service cycle.

The standard formulation was initiated in September 2025 by China Electronics Standardization Institute and the China Electronics Institute, together with over 50 participating institutions. While the released document serves as a group standard, mandatory national and industrial standards are under formal application and approval procedures. Systematic training for manufacturers and service providers will be rolled out to ensure comprehensive implementation.

The lifecycle management platform adopts a complete industrial service architecture covering research, manufacturing, market access, operation, maintenance and disposal. It establishes a closed-loop governance mechanism for industrial supervision and risk prevention. To date, the platform has incorporated more than 100 domestic robot enterprises, completing coding registration for over 28,000 robots across more than 200 product models. Industrial clusters and leading enterprises in multiple cities have signed cooperation agreements to advance coordinated industrial upgrading.