From robot dogs to helpers, China puts robotics ambitions on display at world conference

China is showcasing its growing robotics industry at the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing, featuring a wide array of products from robot dogs and humanoid robots capable of emotional support to industrial models. The five-day event aims to move robotics from demonstrations into practical applications in factories and other real-world settings. Companies like Unitree and UBTECH are exhibiting their latest innovations, including robots that can box, dance, play ping pong, and perform factory tasks. This comes weeks after the U.S. FCC banned imports of certain foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots due to national security concerns. Despite the conference's global name, only Chinese companies were present. While some robots demonstrated advanced capabilities, experts note that many humanoid robots still perform better as entertainers than as practical workers, with one helper robot failing to fold a shirt.

China's Unitree Robotics experienced a significant market debut on Wednesday, with its shares surging as much as 620 percent on Shanghai's STAR Market. This strong performance reflects investor enthusiasm for the growing field of humanoid robots. Unitree, founded in 2016, is a leading Chinese maker of these robots, having shipped over 5,500 units globally last year and recently unveiling its "Superman" model. The company's initial public offering was priced at 50.8 yuan per share, valuing it at approximately 61 billion yuan ($9 billion) before trading began. This IPO marks the first listing of a humanoid robotics company in mainland China, with Unitree noted for its revenue, profitability, and production volume in the sector.

Unitree, the world's largest humanoid robot maker, experienced a significant surge of over 600% in its shares on its debut on the Chinese stock market. The company, officially Yushu Technology Co., saw its stock price climb from an IPO of 150.8 yuan to as high as 1,100 yuan on Wednesday, though gains later moderated. Unitree's robots have gained international recognition through viral videos showcasing their martial arts skills and use as backup dancers. The strong investor demand, particularly from Chinese retail investors, reflects a broader search for winners in the competitive AI and robotics development sector. Founded in 2016, Unitree shipped over 5,500 humanoid robots last year, and the market for these robots is projected for rapid growth. This market debut occurred alongside the World Robot Conference in Beijing.

Shares in Chinese humanoid robot maker Unitree surged significantly on their Shanghai trading debut, with an initial jump of up to 629% and remaining up nearly 500% by midday. The company, founded in 2016, raised approximately $904 million in its listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's STAR market. This event highlights investor optimism in China's technological advancements, particularly in the competitive advanced robotics sector where China leads in production capacity. Unitree and another Chinese firm, AGIBOT, shipped over 5,000 humanoid robots each last year, outpacing U.S. counterparts, though current applications are largely for demonstrations and research. Unitree's IPO proceeds will fund further R&D and manufacturing expansion. However, a recent U.S. ban on new foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots on national security grounds could impact Unitree's future U.S. sales.

Unitree Robotics, a prominent Chinese humanoid robot maker, experienced a significant surge on its Shanghai stock market debut on Wednesday. The company's shares opened at 1,100 yuan, a 629% increase from its initial public offering price of 150.80 yuan, valuing it at approximately 445 billion yuan (US$66 billion). This strong opening was followed by a price pullback in early trading. Unitree raised about 6.1 billion yuan by selling 10% of its shares on the tech-focused Star Market. The company's listing coincided with the opening of the World Robot Conference in Beijing. The offering attracted substantial investor interest, with notable participation from AI startup DeepSeek, Tencent Holdings, and several state-backed entities in its strategic placement.