Shanghai launches smart manufacturing initiative to deploy 8,000 humanoid robots in factories by 2028

On October 12, 2026, Shanghai officially launched its new-generation smart manufacturing action at the opening ceremony of the 26th China International Industry Fair. The plan includes four major projects and 19 key tasks covering supply capability, integrated innovation, factory construction and the industrial ecosystem, aiming to deepen the integration of artificial intelligence with manufacturing.

By 2028, the city aims to achieve full coverage of smart factories among key manufacturing enterprises, cultivate 500 advanced-level smart factories, and expand AI application scenarios in manufacturing beyond 2,000. It also targets the development of 10 vertical large models, 300 high-level agents, an industrial robot density of 600 per 10,000 workers, and the deployment of 8,000 humanoid robots in factories. The value of AI-enabled smart manufacturing equipment is expected to exceed 200 billion yuan, while the smart manufacturing system integration industry is set to reach 100 billion yuan.

According to the event organizers, Shanghai has already built two national leading-level smart factories and 28 national excellence-level smart factories, ranking first among Chinese cities for several years. The city's smart manufacturing system integration industry has surpassed 60 billion yuan, and smart manufacturing equipment output has exceeded 150 billion yuan.