Humanoid robots represent the next frontier for Pudu Robotics, according to founder and CEO Felix Zhang Tao, as the global commercial robotics leader takes on Elon Musk’s Tesla in the growing sector and explores manufacturing in Europe, its largest overseas market. Zhang told the South China Morning Post that Tesla is "definitely a competitor, but a long-term one," noting that Tesla was a "very good" rival whose high profile had driven innovation and broadened market awareness in robotics.
The Shenzhen-based firm, which was ranked first globally in shipments and revenues for commercial service robots in 2025 by consultancy Frost & Sullivan, currently specializes in machines that sweep hotel floors, wash restaurant dishes, and move heavy goods in factories. The company is now setting its sights on general-purpose humanoids and hybrid models that bridge the two form factors.
International business accounts for 80 per cent of Pudu’s sales, with Europe anchoring that growth. To support this, the company opened a US base in Dallas in April and launched its European headquarters in Germany last month. Zhang stated that Pudu was weighing local production in Europe, calling it a "natural step" in its global expansion rather than a hedge against trade barriers.
Pudu faces a complex geopolitical landscape, including an anti-dumping investigation by the European Union into Chinese robotic lawnmowers launched in November, while the US moved in July to curb imports of new Chinese robots on national security and supply chain grounds. To navigate that, Zhang is leaning into what he termed a "glocal" strategy – combining global reach with local operations. He said, "If you want to be a truly global company, you should expect that geopolitics around the world is fairly complicated, and you should adapt to that complexity."
The humanoid market is rapidly becoming crowded. Besides Tesla, competitors include US firm Apptronik, domestic rivals Unitree Robotics and AgiBot, and crossover tech giants such as electric vehicle maker Xpeng and smartphone firm Xiaomi. Zhang argued that Pudu’s hardware expertise, customer network and brand recognition set it apart from newcomers entering the fray from other sectors. He warned that "Wanting to make humanoid robots does not mean you actually have the ability to make them well – the technology involved is extremely complex."
To back that ambition, Pudu has conducted more than a decade of research and development, building an intellectual property portfolio spanning close to 2,000 patents and nine major international industrial design awards, according to Zhang. He noted that the company began developing critical components, such as the robotic arm joint modules, in 2022. Zhang stated that proprietary navigation systems and real-world operational data from deployed fleets give the company an edge, creating a cycle where "because our technology is the best, we sell the most, and in turn, because we sell the most, our technology keeps getting better."
Regarding concerns over job displacement, Zhang argued that machines would instead fill labour shortages driven by rapidly ageing populations across wealthy economies. He said the ultimate goal was to free humans from repetitive tasks so they could pursue their dreams or simply enjoy life. However, he maintained that widespread disruption remained a distant prospect, stating, "It will definitely take at least five to 10 years for the technology to become fairly mature," and that "once it’s mature, widespread adoption will take even longer."
