E-commerce platform JD.com plans to host the world’s first humanoid robot auction in China, highlighting the country’s fast-growing AI and robotics industry.

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com is preparing to launch what it calls the world’s first humanoid robot auction in China during its annual 618 shopping festival in 2026. The auction reflects how quickly humanoid robots are becoming commercial products that could soon become part of everyday business and consumer life.

According to JD.com, first humanoid robot auction in China will be part of a wider lineup of promotional events and special technology showcases throughout the shopping festival. Industry analysts believe the event could attract strong attention from technology firms, research institutions, investors and robotics collectors eager to gain early access to advanced humanoid machines.

However, JD.com has not yet revealed the full list of robots that will be featured in the auction or their starting prices.

Humanoid robots are moving into the mainstream

JD.com’s announcement comes as China accelerates efforts to become a global leader in robotics and embodied AI.

The company shared ambitious plans for the next five years, including:

  • Deployment of 3 million robots

  • Rollout of 1 million autonomous vehicles

  • Introduction of 100,000 drones

At the same time, JD Retail hopes to help robotics brands generate more than 10 billion yuan ($1.47 billion) in sales during 2026 alone. The company also aims to reduce robot product launch cycles by 30 percent.

Dai Wenjun, head of JD’s JoyInside robotics platform, said the platform is expected to connect with more than 10 million devices this year. Major robotics companies including Unitree Robotics and Noetix Robotics have already integrated with the platform.

Could humanoid robots become household products

Pan Helin, a member of the Expert Committee for China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, noted that humanoid robots are no longer limited to laboratory demonstrations. They are now being used in retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and public service sectors. According to Pan, the auction will help consumers see robots as practical tools instead of science-fiction concepts.

China pushes robots into factories

Officials in Shanghai recently announced plans to accelerate the deployment of AI and humanoid robots across factories and industrial operations. Tang Wenkan, director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, said the city aims to deploy 100,000 humanoid robots in factories by the end of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period between 2026 and 2030.

Investment money floods into robotics

China’s robotics sector is also attracting massive investor interest.

More than 50 financing deals were recorded in the first quarter of 2026 alone, generating nearly 20 billion yuan ($2.94 billion) in funding. Analysts say the industry is now entering a phase of rapid commercialization. Meanwhile, China’s robotics market is projected to grow from $47 billion in 2024 to $108 billion by 2028.

As Business Fortune observes, humanoid robots move from research labs into warehouses, factories, stores, and even homes. JD.com’s upcoming auction may represent more than a marketing event. It could become an early glimpse into a future where intelligent machines are bought and sold as commonly as smartphones and consumer electronics today.