Humanoid robots embodiment of China’s AI ambitions

Serving beer, playing mahjong, even participating in a boxing match. Humanoid robots at Shanghai’s World AI Conference have given a glimpse into the future.

Serving craft beer, playing mahjong, stacking shelves and boxing, the dozens of humanoid robots at Shanghai’s World AI Conference (WAIC) this weekend were embodiments of China’s growing AI prowess and ambition.

The annual event is primed at showcasing China’s progress in the ever-evolving field of artificial intelligence, with the government aiming to position the country as a world leader on both technology and regulation as it snaps at the United States’ heels.

Human vs Robot Combat at WAIC
Who will win this game? pic.twitter.com/M2txxgIbqy

— Reborn (@reborn_agi) July 27, 2025

Opening the event on Saturday, Premier Li Qiang announced China would set up a new organisation for co-operation on AI governance, warning the benefits of development must be balanced with the risks.

But in the cavernous expo next door, the mood was more giddy than concerned. “Demand is currently very strong, whether in terms of data, scenarios, model training, or artificial construction. The overall atmosphere in all these areas is very lively,” said Yang Yifan, R&D director at Transwarp, a Shanghai-based AI platform provider.

This year’s WAIC is the first since a breakthrough moment for Chinese AI this January when startup DeepSeek unveiled an AI model that performed as well as top US systems for an apparent fraction of the cost.

Two G1s fighting live at WAIC. It looks like this entertainment could become professional. People love to watch, humanoid robots improve in competition, and manufacturers keep their attention.
pic.twitter.com/oWeHjzu70o

— CyberRobo (@CyberRobooo) July 27, 2025

Organisers said the forum involved more than 800 companies, showcasing over 3,000 products — the undeniable crowd pleasers being the humanoid robots and their raft of slightly surreal party tricks.

At one booth, a robot played drums, half a beat out of time, to Queen’s “We Will Rock You” while a man in safety goggles and a security vest hyped up a giggling crowd.

Other droids, some dressed in working overalls or baseball caps, manned assembly lines, played curling with human opponents or sloppily served soft drinks from a dispenser.

While most of the machines on display were still a little jerky, the increasing sophistication year-on-year was clear to see.

A robot hand holds an egg at an exhibition during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Picture: AFP / China OUT

The Chinese government has poured support into robotics, an area in which some experts think China might already have the upper hand over the United States.

At Hangzhou-based Unitree’s stall, its G1 android — around 130 centimetres (four feet) tall, with a two-hour battery life – kicked, pivoted and punched, keeping its balance with relative fluidity as it shadow-boxed around a ring.

Ahead of the conference’s opening, Unitree announced it would launch a full-size humanoid, the R1, for under US$6,000.

Most high-tech helpers don’t need hardware though.

This guy costs US$ 5,500 and weights 25kg. 🤖👇Yes, at this stage he can’t do much, beyond some fun performances and perhaps holding your bag, but this will soon change. This year at WAIC, Shanghai based AI conference, 80 Chinese robotics companies are exhibiting, vs just 18 last… pic.twitter.com/gNld4jZt0H

— Ashley Dudarenok (@AshleyDudarenok) July 26, 2025

At the expo, AI companions — in the form of middle-aged businessmen, scantily clad women and ancient warriors — waved at people from screens, asking how their day was, while other stalls ran demos allowing visitors to create their own digital avatars.

Tech giant Baidu announced a new generation of technology for its “digital humans” – AI agents modelled on real people, which it says are “capable of thinking, making decisions, and collaborating”.

People watch a robot performing tasks at an exhibition during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Picture: AFP / China OUT

The company recently ran a six-hour e-commerce broadcast hosted by the “digital human” of a well-known streamer and another avatar.

The two agents beat the human streamer’s debut sales in some categories, Baidu said.

Over ten thousand businesses are using the technology daily already, the department’s head Wu Chenxia told AFP.

Asked about the impact on jobs — one of the major concerns raised around widespread AI adoption — Wu insisted that AI was a tool that should be used to improve quality and save time and effort, which still required human input.

China's Premier Li Qiang warned that artificial intelligence development must be weighed against the security risks, saying global consensus was urgently needed even as the tech race between Beijing and Washington shows no sign of abating. Picture: AFP / China OUT

In China, the integration of AI into everyday life is beginning to pick up pace.

At WAIC, Baidu also announced it had been granted a permit to operate fully driverless robotaxis in parts of the massive Pudong district, the service’s first foray into downtown Shanghai.

For now, few visitors to the WAIC expo seemed worried about the potential ramifications of the backflipping dog robots they were excitedly watching.

“When it comes to China’s AI development, we have a comparatively good foundation of data and also a wealth of application scenarios,” said Transwarp’s Yang.

“There are many more opportunities for experimentation.”

– with AFP

Originally published as Humanoid robots embodiment of China’s AI ambitions