The Humanoid Supply Chain

Reading a humanoid's bill of materials

Think of a humanoid's bill of materials in tiers. At the top sits the robot maker, which designs the system, writes much of the software and assembles the finished machine. Beneath it are module suppliers delivering complete joints, hands, battery packs or sensor heads. Below them are component makers producing motors, reducers, screws, bearings, cells, chips and camera modules, and under those, the producers of raw materials such as magnet alloys, copper, steel and battery chemicals. Companies covered elsewhere on this site sit at several of these levels, from NVIDIA in compute and Ouster in LiDAR to Robotis with its DYNAMIXEL actuators. Knowing which tier a critical part comes from shows where a shortage would bite first.

Magnets and the rare earth question

The International Energy Agency lists industrial motors among the uses for which rare earth permanent magnets are essential, alongside electric vehicles and wind turbines, and compact high-performance motors of the kind found in robot joints commonly rely on them. Supply is highly concentrated. The IEA's Rare Earth Elements report found that in 2024 China accounted for 60% of mined production of magnet rare earths, 91% of refined output and 94% of magnet manufacturing. China introduced export controls on seven heavy rare earth elements, related compounds and magnets in April 2025, and the IEA notes that export volumes fell sharply afterwards. Magnet supply can therefore affect robot lead times even when final assembly happens elsewhere.

China's push on core components

China treats humanoid components as an industrial priority. In November 2023 the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued its Guiding Opinions on the Innovative Development of Humanoid Robots, summarised in Chinese on the central government portal. The 2025 targets included an initial innovation system, breakthroughs in key technologies and a safe and effective supply of core components. By 2027, the ministry wants a safe and reliable industrial and supply chain system and overall capabilities at an advanced world level. For anyone buying humanoids or parts from Chinese suppliers, the policy is a reminder that domestic sourcing of core components is a stated national goal, which can shape pricing and availability.

Trade rules and questions for suppliers

Trade policy is the other moving part. In September 2025 the US Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security began a Section 232 national security investigation into imports of robotics and industrial machinery, covering robots and programmable, computer-controlled mechanical systems. Its request for comments asked about the concentration of imports from a small number of suppliers or nations and the potential for foreign control of the robotics supply chain. When you buy, ask the maker where actuators, magnets, batteries and compute boards are sourced, which parts have a second source, how long spare parts are guaranteed, and how any tariff changes would be reflected in your price.

Sources and further reading

• Rare Earth Elements: Executive summary — International Energy Agency (IEA).
  IEA figures on how concentrated rare earth mining, refining and magnet making are, and the export controls since 2025.
• Guiding Opinions on the Innovative Development of Humanoid Robots (in Chinese) — Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, via the Chinese Government portal (gov.cn).
  China's 2023 humanoid policy, with 2025 and 2027 targets for core component supply and a secure industrial chain.
• Notice of Request for Public Comments on Section 232 National Security Investigation of Imports of Robotics and Industrial Machinery — Bureau of Industry and Security, US Department of Commerce (Federal Register).
  US investigation into robot and machinery imports, asking about supplier concentration and foreign control of robot supply chains.

Common questions

Why are humanoid robot parts hard to source?

Several key parts, such as precision reducers, high-torque motors and compact sensors, need specialised manufacturing, and some depend on materials with concentrated supply. When many robot makers chase the same small group of suppliers, lead times can stretch and prices can jump.

Can I get spare parts for a humanoid from third parties?

Occasionally, for standard items such as batteries, cameras or fasteners, but most joints, hands and boards are specific to one maker. Agree spare-part availability and pricing in your purchase contract, and consider keeping critical spares on site if downtime would be costly.