China assigns 'identification numbers' to robots.

Each robot in China is assigned a unique identification code. Photo: AFP .

China has just launched a national management platform specifically for humanoid robots, a move unprecedented in the world .

On May 22, the country launched its Humanoid Robot Lifecycle Management Service Platform. Each humanoid robot, controlled by AI, will be assigned a unique identification number, similar to a national identity card. This information was reported by state television channel CCTV .

The program is led by the Humanoid Robotics and Embodied Intelligence Standardization Committee (HEIS), under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China.

The core objective is to trace and monitor risks throughout the entire lifecycle of each device, from manufacturing and deployment to recycling. This marks the first time China has established a comprehensive management system for this type of robot.

Mr. Yu Xiuming, Deputy Director of the China Electronics Standardization Institute (CESI), confirmed the scope of application of the system.

"These guidelines apply to all stakeholders in the humanoid robotics industry and supply chain, including manufacturers, service providers, sellers, users, and recycling facilities," said Xiuming.

Alongside the issuance of identification codes, China also issued guidelines on lifecycle management and practical use of these codes.

This regulatory move comes amid a booming growth of the humanoid robotics industry in China. Numerous domestic companies are accelerating the development and commercialization of robots capable of performing household chores, caring for the elderly, and assisting in production.

The lack of unified standards during periods of rapid development often leads to safety risks and difficulties in quality control. The identification code system is designed to address this precisely, creating a national database that can trace each device in the event of an incident.

This also clearly signals that the East Asian nation is proactively building a legal framework for AI robots before the field reaches mass production.

China is currently one of the countries with the most ambitious goals for humanoid robots, with many companies aiming for commercial applications. The early establishment of a standardized management system is expected to lay the foundation for a more sustainable long-term industrial development.