China Opens 2026 Robot Conference as US Blocks Humanoid Imports
· Technology · The Independent, Euronews, Al Jazeera
China kicked off the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Wednesday, showcasing over 3,000 robotic products from domestic companies. Unitree, a leading Chinese humanoid robot maker, demonstrated boxing, dancing and ping‑pong skills while also debuting its shares in Shanghai the same day. The conference ran alongside the US Federal Communications Commission’s ban on new imports of foreign‑made humanoid and quadruped robots, citing national‑security risks. UBTECH displayed industrial robots and a $168,000 emotional‑care humanoid, yet experts noted most units are more showpieces than practical workers. A helper robot attempting to fold a shirt failed after several minutes, highlighting the current limits of the technology.
Why it matters
The event underscores growing US‑China technology tensions, limiting Chinese robotics firms from U.S. markets and tightening import restrictions that could affect global supply chains.
Read the original report — The Independent
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