일상 스며드는 로봇…정교한 손길로 컵 집고, 피아노 치고 [IFA 2026]

At the International Home Appliance Exhibition (IFA) 2026 in Berlin, humanoid robots took the runway stage instead of fashion models. On the fifth day of the event, robotic figures introduced themselves and danced for the audience. This was the first time IFA showcased a runway dedicated to humanoid robots, with Chinese companies taking the lead.

Among the participating Chinese companies were AI Engine, Dobot, Deep Robotics, Azibot, and Unitri. These companies expanded their product offerings to include humanoid AI, targeting the European market after already presenting TVs, home appliances, and robotic vacuum cleaners. Unitri unveiled a humanoid robot named 'G1' and a quadruped walking robot, demonstrating their robots performing dances or preparing sandwiches.

Boost Robotics showcased humanoid robots dancing to Michael Jackson's songs, while Terma's humanoid robot played the piano. Other impressive robots included those handling daily tasks, such as the one moving clothes from a dryer, and a humanoid robot called 'Panther' from Unix AI, which prepared coffee in a domestic setting.

Robotic lawn mower companies, including Robolock and EcoBacks, displayed a multitude of lawn mowing robots at the exhibition. The exhibition marked a shift for companies that previously sold indoor cleaning robots, as they now target the outdoor space management market. TCL, a leading Chinese home appliance manufacturer, introduced a family-oriented robot named 'AiMe' that follows gestures and gestures its hands.

The humanoid robot showcase at IFA was more than just a spectacle, as it demonstrated the emergence of 'Physical AI' - AI systems that recognize users' situations and move directly in response.