From August 8 to 12, the 2025 World Robot Conference (WRC) themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent" put Beijing in the global spotlight once again. The event showcased more than 1,500 cutting-edge technologies and innovative products from more than 200 global robotics companies. Visitors could get up close with the latest robots, feeling the pulse of innovation and the charm of frontier technologies. The Bilingual Weekly guides you through the WRC in style and leads you to experience a tech-savvy life full of robots.
Tech upgrades: Robots show off skills
The "Tiangong 2.0" humanoid robot took the stage as a host. Unitree Robotics' G1 robots stepped into a boxing ring. UBTECH's intelligent "work crew" teamed up for full-process operations from warehouse logistics to intelligent sorting. Robots of all talents filled the WRC's exhibition halls, putting on a dazzling "All-Star Show."
Hangzhou Zhiyuan Research Institute Co., Ltd., making its debut at this year's WRC, drew crowds with its self-developed "AsExo-TK1000" hip-assist exoskeleton robot. "Equipped with advanced technologies such as AI-driven gait prediction and adaptive torque control, this exoskeleton robot addresses key challenges in human-robot collaboration. In everyday travel, it can use sensors to intelligently detect human posture and provide tailored assistance based on terrain and individual differences, offering users a more convenient and comfortable mobility experience," said Ren Jingwei, head of the company's smart mobility division. The company has built a patent portfolio around algorithms for human-robot collaboration in exoskeletons, with products already applied in elderly care and rehabilitation, outdoor sports, and tourism scenarios.
Since the inaugural WRC in 2015, a constant stream of new technologies, products, and achievements has underscored the rapid growth of China's robotics industry. This momentum is powered by sustained investment in scientific innovation and a strong focus on intellectual property (IP). At the 2025 WRC press briefing, it was revealed that in 2024, China accounted for two-thirds of the world's robot patent applications. The country has built a comprehensive portfolio of core robot components, while making breakthroughs in large-scale robotics models, intelligent collaborative control, and human-robot interaction.
New applications: Robots enter daily life
From "cute performers" and "dance artists," to "hard workers" and "skilled operators," robots of all shapes and sizes are exploring more real-life applications, becoming a major highlight of this year's WRC. Robots are gradually shedding their "steel shells" and embracing a more practical and friendly role as they accelerate integration into everyday life.
SenseRobot, SenseTime's home robot brand, returned for its third appearance at the WRC. At its booth, dozens of AI chess-playing robots drew eager challengers for friendly matches. "By leveraging SenseTime's strengths in computer vision and robotic arm control, we've tailored our chess-playing robots for Chinese chess, Go, and international chess, continually upgrading their capabilities. We're also actively securing IP in key overseas markets such as North America and Europe, and now hold over 20 patents worldwide," said Cui Xiaolong, head of the brand's marketing business. To date, the global sales of its AI chess-playing robots have surpassed 100,000 units and products have been exported to more than 20 countries and regions, allowing more families to enjoy the convenience and fun brought by technology.
Notably, humanoid robots, as an advanced form of robotics and a key carrier of embodied intelligence, are playing an increasingly important role in both production and daily life. At the WRC's opening ceremony, the Chinese Institute of Electronics released the "Top 10 Potential Application Scenarios for Humanoid Robots" to highlight scenarios such as automotive manufacturing, power generation, and home services, offering a clear roadmap for technological breakthroughs and industry adoption in this field.
With technological advances and real-world deployments moving in tandem, the gap between humans and robots is closing fast. It may not be long before the vision of human-robot coexistence becomes part of our everyday reality.