Robots can fight, but can they work?

China's humanoid robots fail at factory work.

One Essential Read One Essential Read Recommended by Kate Turton, Newsletter Editor China can build kung fu-fighting robots. But it can’t get them to do factory work.   A human trainer teaches a robot how to package noodles. REUTERS/Laurie Chen Today I recommended our special report on the limitations of China's race to build humanoid robots. It reveals that the kung fu demos and viral dances mask an unsolved problem: Getting them to reliably do mundane, real-world work. Our reporters visited a training center in southern China, where human trainers wearing headsets guided humanoid robots through simple tasks – sorting crates, packaging noodles, making coffee. What they saw? The humanoids are slow and awkward.  Read our special report   Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Advertise in this newsletter or on Reuters' website   Reuters One Essential Read is sent three days a week. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here. Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here. This email includes limited tracking for Reuters to understand whether you’ve engaged with its contents. For more information on how we process your personal information and your rights, please see our Privacy Statement. Terms & Conditions   © 2026 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036

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Sponsors are not involved in the creation of newsletters or other Reuters news content. Advertise in this newsletter or on Reuters' website   Reuters Business is sent every weekday. Think your friend or colleague should know about us? Forward this newsletter to them. They can also sign up here. Want to stop receiving this email? Unsubscribe here. To manage which newsletters you're signed up for, click here. This email includes limited tracking for Reuters to understand whether you’ve engaged with its contents. For more information on how we process your personal information and your rights, please see our Privacy Statement. Terms & Conditions   © 2026 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. 3 Times Square, New York, NY 10036