World IoT Expo opens in Wuxi, highlighting convergence of artificial intelligence and industry

WUXI, CHINA – The 2026 World Internet of Things Expo kicked off on Saturday in the eastern Chinese city of Wuxi, with a spotlight on the increasing convergence of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. The expo, spanning over 50,000 square meters, has drawn more than 400 companies from nearly 20 countries and regions.

Key exhibits at the event include smart sensors, satellite-based IoT technologies, embodied AI robots, and next-generation smart devices. These technologies find applications in manufacturing, transportation, and everyday life. A central theme this year is the deepening relationship between IoT and AI, with demonstrations of robotics, machine vision systems, and industrial AI models.

Major international players like Bosch and Siemens are exhibiting their technologies alongside Chinese tech firms, showcasing potential collaborations across the industrial supply chain. For Wuxi, a city with a robust manufacturing heritage, the expo provides a glimpse into its efforts to modernize its industrial economy.

Since 2009, when Wuxi was designated a national demonstration zone for sensor network innovation, the city has steadily grown its IoT industry. In 2025, revenue from major IoT companies in the area reached 318.4 billion yuan ($44.7 billion). The city's expertise in sensors, industrial internet systems, and connected vehicles is now extending into AI and robotics.

This transformation is being bolstered by policy support. A three-year action plan, released by Jiangsu province this year, designates Wuxi as the hub of its IoT industry development strategy and calls for greater integration of IoT and AI technologies, particularly in key industrial production processes.

For participating companies, the expo offers more than a stage to display new products; it also serves as a platform to network with manufacturers, forge potential business partnerships, and explore international cooperation.