China Showcases Next Generation of Robots at 2026 World Robot Conference -

China opened the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 19, showcasing a wide range of robots as the country seeks to move the technology from demonstrations into practical use in factories, homes and other real-world settings.

The five-day event features around 3,000 robotic products, according to organisers. Displays range from industrial machines and humanoid robots to robotic dogs, with demonstrations including boxing, dancing and table tennis.

One of the biggest attractions was the booth of Unitree, a major Chinese humanoid robot maker. Its robots performed boxing and dance routines, while another model played ping pong against a human. The conference opening also coincided with Unitree’s stock market debut in Shanghai.

The event comes amid growing competition between China and the United States in advanced robotics. In recent weeks, the US Federal Communications Commission announced restrictions on imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots, power inverters and quadruped robots, citing potential cybersecurity and national security risks. The measures are widely viewed as targeting Chinese technology.

Chinese robotics company UBTECH showcased several industrial robots designed for factory environments, including machines capable of moving components from one location to another.

However, humanoid robots designed for social and emotional interaction also attracted significant attention. UBTECH deputy president Jiao Jichao said one of the company’s emotional-care humanoids can communicate, make facial expressions, move its neck and hands, and is available for individual buyers. The robot is priced at 168,000 yuan, or more than $24,000.

Despite the increasingly advanced demonstrations, challenges remain in making humanoid robots useful for everyday work. Several companies displayed robots equipped with mechanical arms and hands, but one machine struggled with a basic household task: folding a shirt. After several minutes of attempts, it failed to complete the task.

The demonstrations highlighted both the rapid progress of China’s robotics sector and the gap that remains between impressive performances and reliable real-world applications. – TS/ERMD

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