Kathmandu— Beijing is currently experiencing what has been dubbed a “super week” for robotics, highlighted by Unitree Robotics’ recent initial public offering, the World Robot Conference (WRC), and the forthcoming World Humanoid Robot Games. These events underscore a significant trend: China is rapidly establishing itself as a leading global center for robotics innovation, poised to revolutionize manufacturing processes and daily life. Data from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reveals that revenue within the nation’s robotics sector exceeded 300 billion yuan (approximately $44.24 billion USD) in 2025, demonstrating an average annual growth rate exceeding 20 percent over the past five years.

Rapid Growth Fuels Industry Expansion

China's robotics industry is experiencing substantial growth, evidenced by both financial metrics and event attendance. A report from Smart Analytics Global indicates that Chinese-made units accounted for over 97 percent of global humanoid robot shipments in the first half of 2026, totaling approximately 19,100 units. Exports of industrial robots increased by 13.2 percent between January and July, while surgical robot shipments more than tripled year-on-year during the first half of 2026. Science and Technology Minister Yin Hejun identified robots, AI products, and innovative drugs as key drivers of China’s export growth.

WRC Draws Massive Crowds

This year's World Robot Conference in Beijing has drawn unprecedented crowds, with over 300 exhibitors – a 69 percent increase from 2025 – showcasing more than 3,000 products, including around 300 debuts. The event’s popularity is so significant that organizers have been forced to issue daily “travel advisories” due to traffic congestion near the exhibition hall. Attendees describe the density of crowds as comparable to major events like CES in Las Vegas.

From Labs to Real-World Applications

The focus of robotics development in China is shifting from theoretical concepts to practical applications. Aron Kisdi, managing director of Autodiscovery and Unitree Robotics’ U.K. distributor, stated at the company's WRC booth, “This week’s IPO is just the start of the journey… It signals that the time in the lab is nearing an end, and we’re pushing robots into the real world.” Exhibitors are demonstrating robots performing tasks such as parcel sorting (at rates exceeding 1,000 items per hour), cardboard folding, automotive part handling, and even brewing coffee. Chinese firms have already begun deploying robots in factories for increasingly complex jobs beyond basic material handling.

Maturing Ecosystem & Supply Chain

China’s robotics industry is evolving into a more sophisticated ecosystem, with component suppliers taking on a greater role. This year's WRC saw a significant presence of companies specializing in dexterous-hand sensors, joint modules, and chips—previously supporting roles now stepping into the spotlight. Xu Xiaolan from the Chinese Institute of Electronics predicts that humanoid robots will spur investment across various sectors, including precision transmission, smart sensors, AI chips, and intelligent software, creating a substantial market for research, development, and after-sales service.

Industry experts anticipate a transformative change in the robotics sector within the next two to ten years, with the potential for a “ChatGPT moment” for embodied AI. Unitree Robotics founder and CEO Wang Xingxing expressed this optimism during a WRC forum.

(With inputs from Xinhua)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.