Chinese carmakers are accelerating their move into the robotics industry as they seek new revenue streams and look to apply supply-chain strengths to emerging new quality productive forces.

In the southern city of Guangzhou, a humanoid robot developed by state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has quietly joined the staff at Huangcun subway station, guiding commuters and helping with security checks as part of the city's trial of intelligent service robots.

Zhang Aimin, head of the GAC's humanoid robot development team, said the company views robotics as a natural extension of its shift to advanced manufacturing.

"Humanoid robots represent the future of sci-tech development and are a typical example of new quality productive forces. We hope GAC's humanoid robots can enter people's homes and help create a better life for people," Zhang said.

First introduced in 2023, the term new quality productive forces refers to advanced productivity that moves beyond traditional growth models. It emphasizes high-tech, high-efficiency and high-quality development and aligns with China's broader push for innovation-driven growth.

Automakers in Guangdong Province -- one of China's largest manufacturing hubs -- are stepping up efforts in robotics as the boundaries between transportation, automation and artificial intelligence continue to blur.

Earlier in November, XPeng, a major private electric-vehicle maker, unveiled the second generation of its Iron humanoid robot. Powered by three Turing AI chips and 62 active joints, the robot can walk, speak and perform daily tasks with human-like precision, drawing widespread attention online.

"Over the next decade, many companies in China's auto industry will move into physical AI and position themselves as global players in embodied intelligence," XPeng Chairman He Xiaopeng said.

Industry officials say humanoid robots are still in early-stage development and are calling for coordinated, well-planned investment as the sector evolves.

Song Xiaogang, secretary-general of the China Machinery Industry Federation's robotics branch, said companies should carry out thorough feasibility studies "to avoid repetitive investment and wasting resources" as more firms enter the industry.