China's major robotics event opened on August 19. Between boxing demonstrations and $24,000 pet robots, the gap with real use remains visible.
The World Robot Conference opened on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 in Beijing, for five days, at the Beiren Yichuang International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Around 3,000 products are presented, in an edition that the organisers want to focus on moving from spectacular demonstrations to concrete industrial uses.
Unitree paraded humanoids in boxing, dancing and ping-pong sessions, coinciding with the opening of the show with its debut on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. UBTECH Robotics exhibited industrial models for factory tasks and pet humanoids displayed at 168,000 yuan, or more than $24,000: according to its vice president Jiao Jichao, the machine speaks, modulates its facial expressions, turns its head and moves its hands.
The gap between the stage and the workshop
Several specialists present noted that these humanoids shine above all as stage performers. A domestic robot presented as an assistant spent several minutes trying to fold a shirt without succeeding. The show is also being held a few weeks after the US FCC announced a ban on the import of foreign-made humanoids, quadruped robots and inverters, in the name of national security.
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