The "Spring Festival Gala" of the Embodied World: 200 robots compete on the same stage. All the highlights are here.
Photo taken by 36Kr
Text | Wang Fangyu
Editor | Su Jianxun
Charting | Wang Xinyi
From August 8th to 12th, the World Robot Conference (WRC 2025) was held at the Beiren Yichuang International Convention and Exhibition Center in the Beijing Economic - Technological Development Area. As the largest robot exhibition in China, at a time when the embodied intelligence track is booming, the WRC has reached an unprecedented level of popularity.
Although it was raining heavily in Beijing after the Beginning of Autumn that day, the exhibition hall was as crowded as during the Spring Festival travel rush. There was a long queue from the entrance, and one could easily be bumped into or stepped on without paying attention.
Source: Photo taken by 36Kr
A spectator who queued for 30 minutes to enter but was crowded with nowhere to stand sighed to Intelligent Emergence: “Those who came today are all brave warriors!”
This WRC attracted more than 220 robot enterprises to participate, including embodied intelligence unicorns such as Unitree Technology, Galactic General, and Xingdong Jiyuan; the “Big Four” of industrial robots: ABB, KUKA, etc.; and the national - level humanoid robot “team” represented by robot innovation centers from various regions.
According to the organizers, more than 1,500 exhibits were displayed in the three exhibition halls of this exhibition. Among them, there were more than 100 newly launched products, and 50 humanoid robot whole - machine enterprises participated, setting a record for similar exhibitions.
If the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) ten days ago focused on showcasing the “intelligent core” of large models, the WRC allows machines to “grow limbs” and enter real - world scenarios.
At the WRC exhibition site, we saw: humanoid robots working as cashiers in convenience stores; making coffee in cafes; making beds, folding clothes, and picking up garbage in bedrooms; sorting express deliveries and moving boxes in logistics centers; massaging users and assisting patients with physical rehabilitation in nursing homes... From family to commercial services, from healthcare to industry, robots are accelerating their entry into all industries and households.
The following is a highlight collection of the 2025 WRC exhibition area selected by the Intelligent Emergence editorial department. To make it easier for you to browse the key points, we will classify them into several categories according to the scenarios involved by robot enterprises, such as general, household, commercial services, industry, healthcare, etc., so that you can understand the latest trends in the current robot implementation industries. Enjoy!
New tricks for humanoid robot bodies
Unitree: Robot boxing, a must - watch!
At the WAIC, Unitree Technology's fighting competition became the traffic key in the robot area. This time, they also brought the fighting competition to the WRC site. As expected, Unitree's booth was surrounded by spectators layer upon layer.
The two humanoid robots' boxing matches were intense, with straight punches, hook punches, side kicks, and “knee strikes” - the viewing experience was top - notch.
Source: Photo taken by 36Kr
Unitree told Intelligent Emergence that boxing tests the instantaneous explosive power of robots, which requires a powerful power system and torque for support. In addition, the precision of algorithms, the stability of the robot's legs, and the coordination of multiple joints are also major challenges.
In addition, they also made some creative designs. For example, when a robot falls, its opponent will pat its buttocks and wave, adding an element of entertainment to the fighting competition.
Leju: “Kua Fu” humanoid robot, coordinated evolution of the “big brain” and “small brain” for a more natural anthropomorphic performance
At the exhibition, Leju unveiled the world's first 5G - A humanoid robot “Kua Fu”.
From realizing real - time control of outdoor delivery across long distances to performing smooth body movements in Taiji demonstrations; from responding naturally in human - robot interactions to fully autonomous operations such as material box handling, material sorting, and SMT material tray outbound in industrial scenarios; and to full - scenario task demonstrations such as anthropomorphic natural front - desk reception and tour guide explanations.
“Kua Fu”'s “versatility” showcases Leju's latest achievements in humanoid robot technology as an industry veteran. Leju is leading the industry and pushing the entire industry's implementation process into a critical stage.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise
Zhongqing Robot: Robots walk the runway and show off their sprinting skills
At Zhongqing Robot's booth, robots transformed into models and staged a runway show. According to their introduction, it included a globally innovative technology: natural gait walking.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise
The 1.38 - meter - tall humanoid robot PM01 staged a sprint. It ran quickly, got up autonomously after falling, and then accurately sat down to rest.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise
Zhongqing's first heavy - duty full - size general humanoid robot T800 also made its public debut at this exhibition. This robot is 1.85m tall and weighs 85kg. A sign specifically reminded “T800 fighting version, dangerous, do not approach”.
Zhujidongli: Robots dance ethnic dances and show off Chinese kung fu
At the Zhujidongli booth, the newly released LimX Oli humanoid robot showed off several high - difficulty dances: victory dances, ethnic dances, etc.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise
These dances are not restricted by scenarios. The organizers said that even in outdoor venues, LimX Oli can complete them smoothly.
LimX Oli also performed a section of Chinese kung fu, with every move looking very impressive.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise
Accelerated Evolution: Robot football match
Accelerated Evolution, which just participated in the Brazilian Robot Football World Cup, came to the WRC and built a small football field at its booth to stage a football match for visitors.
On the scaled - down green football field in the center of the booth, the Accelerated T1 robots carried out multiple rounds of offensive and defensive battles. Some robots opened corner kicks through tactical cooperation and scored goals directly, while some robots fell during the confrontation and got up autonomously... There were also penalty shoot - outs and human - robot battles, creating a highly tense atmosphere.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise
According to the introduction from Accelerated Evolution, this football match is controlled by the robots' AI without remote control. This requires robots to have capabilities such as real - time perception, brain decision - making, advanced motion control, and multi - agent collaboration, which are tasks at the level of embodied intelligence.
Commercial services: Robots can handle popcorn - making, cocktail - mixing, and food - delivery
Galactic General: Robots transform into convenience store clerks
At the Galactic General booth, a humanoid robot on a wheeled chassis transformed into a clerk and manned the “Smart Convenience Store” around the clock.
After spectators selected products on the iPad, the robot Galbot would pick up and deliver corresponding products such as drinks, bread, marinated eggs, and instant noodles from the densely arranged shelves for the spectators. Even snacks hanging on hooks were no problem for Galbot.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise
According to Galactic General, the Galbot robot picks up goods without remote operation, but is driven by the embodied large model GroceryVLA.
On the eve of the exhibition, Galactic General also released the Galactic Space Capsule, a smart retail store format manned by robots. Galactic General plans to open 100 Galactic Space Capsules this year.
Keenon Robotics: Does popcorn made by robots taste better?
Keenon designed the exhibition hall as a bar, a café, and a theater this time, and let robots transform into waiters.
Shuttling through it, you can order Keenon's bipedal service robot XMAN - F1 to make you a bucket of popcorn or a glass of mixed whiskey.
Keenon also cooperated cross - border with the Scottish whiskey brand Johnnie Walker. Keenon's robot sommelier XMAN - R1 will make you a special - blend drink according to your order. By the way, remember to tell it whether to add ice.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise
Zhipingfang: All - scenario soft - drink bar, order ice cream and cola as you like
Zhipingfang set up an all - scenario soft - drink bar at its booth. The staff said they wanted to compete with Tesla's Optimus café.
At the Zhipingfang soft - drink bar, spectators can place orders for Aibao just like ordering milk tea. You can order coffee, ice cream, or cola as you like, and Zhipingfang's “Aibao” robot can provide all the services.
When you say “Aibao, I want a glass of iced cola”, the “Aibao” robot will plan its actions, pick up a cup, operate the beverage machine, add ice, and then hand it to you steadily.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise
Transvision Intelligence: Robot waiter, a cup of coffee, please
At the Transvision Intelligence booth, the second - generation humanoid robot DexForce W1 Pro transformed into a coffee shop waiter.
After the spectator gives a voice command, W1 Pro will accurately identify and grab the target from a bunch of capsules. After an elegant mid - air handover, it will steadily put the capsule into the coffee machine. After the coffee is brewed, it will then steadily serve it to the customer.
According to the Transvision staff, the product and the solution have received orders from leading customers and have officially entered the commercial implementation stage. In the future, you can also drink coffee made by robots outside the WRC exhibition hall.
Source: Authorized by the enterprise