World Robotics Conference 2026 opens in Beijing
Robots are no longer a futuristic fantasy — they are already here, around us, and their presence is becoming increasingly natural. From factory assembly lines to kitchens and hospitals, machines are ever more confidently entering our daily lives. But the real wonder is not what they can do, but how quickly the line between tool and helper, between mechanism and partner, is blurring. The conference in Beijing is not just an exhibition of achievements, but a platform where the future of humanity in alliance with artificial intelligence and mechatronics is being shaped.
One of the main highlights of the annual event was the launch of the Global Robotics Application Research Programme. This initiative will bring together leading robotics manufacturers with top innovation teams, encouraging the exchange of production robots, including humanoid, quadruped and dexterous robotic hands, for free trials in real‑world conditions to accelerate commercial adoption. Parallel to the conference, a consumer robotics festival will also be held. For the first time, the festival will feature a “Robot Shopper Street”, where robot chefs will serve visitors during shopping.
The conference takes place against the backdrop of China's continued growth in the global robotics industry. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in the first half of 2026, Chinese companies accounted for nearly 70 per cent of global sales of quadruped robots. “In the first half of this year, the revenue of major robotics companies reached 165.5 billion yuan (over $24.5 billion), up 24.5 per cent year on year. We will focus on core components and embodied intelligence, connect research and production, and accelerate technological upgrading through large‑scale application in new scenarios,” said Xin Guobin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology, at the opening ceremony.
China's robotics industry is showing impressive growth: according to industry associations, the market size exceeded 200 billion yuan in 2025 and is expected to reach 500 billion by 2030. Quadruped robots from Chinese companies have already gained recognition not only in Asia but also in Europe and North America, thanks to their reliability and affordability. At the same time, humanoid platforms are being actively developed and are seen as the next stage in the evolution of service robotics. The five‑day event brought together more than 300 exhibitors, up 69 per cent from last year, who presented over 3,000 exhibits in four pavilions dedicated to the application of robotics in manufacturing, healthcare, retail, emergency rescue and other fields.
As CCTV+ reports, the World Robotics Conference 2026 has become not only a showcase of China's technological leadership but also a platform for international cooperation. The launch of the Global Robotics Application Research Programme opens new opportunities for start‑ups and research centres worldwide. In the coming years, we can expect an accelerated transition of robots from laboratories to the real economy, which will change the face of manufacturing, logistics and everyday services. The future is arriving faster than we thought, and Beijing is once again at the centre of this process.
