CHINA has unveiled a pioneering national “digital ID” system for its rapidly expanding humanoid robot sector, assigning each machine a 29-digit identity code to enable traceability and safe governance.

The initiative establishing a unified framework to ensure safety, accountability and standardized governance, is anchored by a national landmark full life-cycle management service platform for humanoid robots, launched simultaneously in Beijing.

The platform, spearheaded by the standardization body of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), serves as the operational backbone for the new regulatory specification, which mandates that every humanoid robot be assigned the unique identity code.

Developed by leading national standardization bodies, this digital identifier acts as a comprehensive “passport” for each machine. It enables end-to-end traceability across the robot’s entire lifespan — from manufacturing and sales to daily usage and eventual recycling.

The 29-digit code is meticulously structured into four segments: a 2-digit country code, a 4-digit enterprise code, a 6-digit product model code, and a 17-digit serial number. Together, these elements form the foundation of a robust traceability system, allowing for precise identification and tracking.

The new standard enforces a strict “no code, no market access” rule. All robots sold or deployed domestically must be registered accordingly. Manufacturers are now obligated to recall products upon the discovery of common defects, while the refurbishment and resale of scrapped robots are strictly prohibited.

Over 100 companies have signed up to the scheme, issuing full life-cycle codes to more than 28,000 units across 200 product models.(Xinhua)