2026 World Robot Conference to be Held in Beijing This August

The “2026 World Robot Conference” is set to take place over five days, from August 19 to 23, in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (Yizhuang). The theme of the conference is “Human-Machine Symbiosis, Integration of Production and Demand.” At a press conference held on July 6 in Beijing, the organizers outlined the details of the event and provided an update on the state of China’s robotics industry.

Attendees at the press briefing included Xu Xiaolan, Standing Committee Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of the Chinese Institute of Electronics; Zhao Yunfeng, Vice President of the same institute; Hao Lijun, Deputy Director of the Equipment Industry Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology; Liu Weiliang, Deputy Director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology; and Li Quan, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.

Key Details of the Conference

According to Zhao Yunfeng, this year’s conference will include a main forum and the World Robot Expo. The expo will feature four exhibition areas: the Intelligent Innovation Hall, the Intelligent Integration Hall, the Intelligent Manufacturing Hall, and the Intelligent Fun Hall. A unique highlight of this year’s event is the first-ever gathering of central enterprises, showcasing their collective advancements and applications in the robotics sector.

International guests will comprise 30% of attendees, and over 300 companies are expected to participate, marking a 36% increase from the previous year. The expo will feature more than 2,000 exhibits, including over 150 products making their debut. Additionally, the number of simultaneous events will double from the previous year, exceeding 60.

Growth of China’s Robotics Industry

Hao Lijun provided an overview of data from China’s robotics industry for the period from January to May of this year. Revenue from enterprises above a designated size surpassed 90 billion yuan, an increase of 26.9% compared to the same period last year. The average growth rate over the past five years has exceeded 20%, indicating a thriving industry.

China has maintained its position as the world’s largest market for industrial robots for 13 consecutive years. The overall level of the humanoid robotics industry is globally leading, and the development of data sets is progressing rapidly. The construction of test bases for intermediate-stage experiments has also achieved phased results.

Xu Xiaolan highlighted the significant strides made by China’s robotics industry, describing its evolution from “small to large” and “weak to strong.” She outlined five priority areas for continuous effort over the next decade: promoting technological innovation, advancing industry development, enhancing regulatory governance, fostering talent, and strengthening international cooperation.

Rapid Development of Humanoid Robots and

Embodied Intelligence

Beijing’s robotics industry is among the country’s leaders. According to Liu Weiliang, Beijing holds a leading position in the emerging field of humanoid robotics. The city hosts more than 30 robotics companies, accounting for over 20% of the national total. The industry’s revenue is projected to grow from 15 billion yuan in 2023 to 51.8 billion yuan by 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate of over 85%.

Beijing is building a “1+4” high-end product system, focusing on humanoid robots, collaborative robots, medical robots, logistics robots, and specialized robots. The city has implemented the “Double Hundred Project,” releasing the “Beijing Robotics Innovation Product Catalogue” four times, featuring 354 innovative products across 11 sectors and 160 application scenarios. These products have undergone initial trials, iterative improvements, and first-time uses.

Li Quan stated that Yizhuang serves as the main hub for high-end and precision industries in the capital. The area has built an innovation system driven by leading companies, and a series of self-developed embodied models have joined the ranks of the world’s top-tier products. Yizhuang has completed a verification platform capable of testing thousands of humanoid robots and has established a comprehensive innovation incubation model that integrates technology transfer, intermediate-stage testing, accelerated incubation, trial verification, and application demonstration.

Additionally, Yizhuang has introduced a ten-point policy for embodied intelligence and established the Beijing Robotics Industrial Park. It has also launched the “10,000 Robotics Application Innovation Plan,” completing pilot scenarios such as embodied intelligence robot 4S stores, robot restaurants, and robot caregiving stations.

New Initiatives at the Conference

This year’s conference will launch the “Global Robot Application Exploration Plan,” inviting mass-produced products and offering them for free trial use by outstanding innovation teams worldwide. The State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council will also announce the establishment of the Central Enterprise Robotics Innovation Consortium during the event, aiming to build an innovative ecosystem based on “collaborative research, shared scenarios, and shared outcomes.”

For the first time, the conference venue will feature a robot consumer street, offering attendees an immersive consumer experience combining “technology, cuisine, and cultural creativity.” Robots will be integrated into various stages of conference operations, including welcoming attendees, security checks, guidance, disinfection, and more, while ensuring safety and traceability.

Current Applications of Industrial Robots

Hao Lijun noted that high-value-added scenarios are becoming more diverse, and new human-machine collaborative job roles are being developed. The demand for industrial robots is growing rapidly as smart factories enhance quality and efficiency. In consumer-facing applications, service robots are being widely implemented, while specialized robots are proving their practical value in areas such as emergency rescue and security management.

The development of the robotics industry is shifting from competition in standalone technologies and market size to the integration of supply chain collaboration and development ecosystems. Key stakeholders, including end-product manufacturers, core component companies, research institutions, and end-users, are forming efficient collaborative networks. Public service systems for standard-setting, testing and certification, talent cultivation, and technology transfer are becoming more robust.

Editorial Opinion

In the short term, the 150+ new products debuting at this year’s conference are expected to have a tangible impact on the global robotics market. The establishment of the Central Enterprise Robotics Innovation Consortium by Chinese central enterprises may drive the expansion of application scenarios, centralize procurement, and potentially lead to a reshaping of the entire supply chain. Japanese companies, in particular, should closely monitor changes in competitive conditions within the Chinese market.

In the long term, the development of a verification platform for humanoid robots capable of testing thousands of units, along with the progress of embodied intelligence-related societal experiments, is likely to accelerate the adoption of robots from industrial to consumer applications. The implementation of pilot consumer scenarios, such as robot 4S stores and robot restaurants, is poised to contribute to the formation of a consumer-focused robotics market. However, challenges remain regarding regulatory governance, particularly in areas like safety ethics and privacy protection, which could act as barriers to the international proliferation of robotics.

From an editorial perspective, while China is leading globally in humanoid robotics and embodied intelligence, its lack of standardized technology and an established framework for international collaboration could pose challenges. The key question is whether this year’s conference can serve as a springboard for global cooperation and standardization rather than merely a showcase of achievements. This will play a critical role in shaping the future trajectory of the robotics industry beyond 2027.

References

• QbitAI — Published on 2026-07-08