China tops humanoid-robot patents; US quality remains the benchmark

A LexisNexis patent analysis of over 26,000 patent families shows China dominating humanoid-robot innovation, occupying six of the top ten startups (led by Fourier and AgiBot) and UBTECH singled out for focused patent investment; by end-2025 China held about 73% of morphology-related patents and 63% of portfolio strength. The United States, while smaller in volume, leads in patent quality, with Figure AI, Apptronik and Agility Robotics ranking among the top US contributors and accounting for 11% of global portfolio strength from 5% of morphology-related patents. The report notes rising US-China tech tensions and argues patent data can signal future commercial leadership.