From robot dogs to helpers, China puts robotics ambitions on display at world conference
BEIJING (AP) — Do you want to see whether a robot can fold a piece of cloth? Interested in getting a robot dog or even a humanoid robot that could…
Beijing, China hosted the 2026 World Robot Conference, showcasing the country's growing robotics industry. Dozens of exhibitors displayed their latest products, ranging from robotic dogs to humanoid robots designed for emotional support. Unitree, a leading Chinese robotic maker, displayed several of its models boxing, dancing, and even playing ping pong with a human.
The conference, which runs for five days, features some 3,000 products, but no representatives from other nations were present. The opening of the conference aligned with Unitree's debut on the Shanghai stock market. Simultaneously, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposed a ban on imports of new foreign-made humanoid robots and power inverters, citing national security concerns.
This restriction also applies to new imports of quadruped robots, commonly known as four-legged robot dogs. The FCC argued that advanced robots could pose cybersecurity and other national security risks.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
