On CATL’s production lines, humanoid robots have begun undertaking high-risk procedures such as high-voltage wiring harness plug-in connection. Along the West Bund in Shanghai, quadruped robots empowered by the “super brain” of embodied intelligence conduct unmanned patrols 24/7. They can autonomously climb steps, traverse lawns, and identify uncivilized acts in real time to issue persuasive reminders. In the medical sector, patients with high paraplegia have used brain-computer interfaces to control humanoid robots via thought to complete handshakes and hugs.
These scenarios are not scenes from science-fiction movies, but real industrial cases emerging across China over the past one to two years.
*Source: Xinmang xAI
The period from 2025 to 2026 undoubtedly marks a critical juncture for the development of the embodied intelligence industry. Technologies are stepping out of laboratories and entering factories, hospitals, warehouses, urban blocks and even households.
Capital, industrial players and policymakers have nearly simultaneously placed their bets on embodied intelligence.
*Source: Xinmang xAI
Over the past few years, robots have mostly remained in the technology verification phase. Today, enterprises are building production capacity at the ten-thousand-unit scale and focusing on delivery efficiency, operational stability and cost control. As the price of complete robot units keeps falling and work efficiency continues to improve, the economic viability of robots replacing human labor is rapidly approaching a tipping point. This is a key reason why the entire industry is being revalued.
The 15th Five-Year Plan clearly identifies embodied intelligence as a key priority among industries of the future. Together with quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, brain-computer interfaces and other fields, it forms a critical component of the layout for developing new quality productive forces.
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has proposed promoting the mass production of humanoid robots. Many regions have successively built robot industrial parks, opened up application scenarios, and rolled out special supportive policies.
*Source: Daily Investment Research Information
As a global hub for scientific and technological innovation and industrial integration, Shanghai is accelerating the clustering of cutting-edge industries including artificial intelligence, robotics and smart manufacturing. It continues to open up application scenarios and improve the industrial ecosystem, offering embodied intelligence enterprises room for growth spanning from R&D verification to commercial rollout.
Whether you are complete machine manufacturers, or players across the upstream and downstream industrial chain covering joint modules, reducers, servo systems, dexterous hands, sensors, control systems, robot operating systems, large AI models and simulation platforms, you can acquire targeted customers and achieve commercial landing at Hongqiao Tech Week within an industrial ecosystem spanning hardware, software, manufacturing and application sectors.
Fueled by integrated advances in artificial intelligence and robotics, humanoid robots are being adopted at an accelerated pace across various industries, spanning manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and customer service scenarios.
Globally, companies including Agility Robotics, Apptronik, Figure AI and Tesla are spearheading this trend. Meanwhile, the competitive landscape in China is more diversified. Manufacturers such as AGIBOT, Fourier Intelligence, Leju Robotics, UBTECH and Unitree are driving innovations covering both consumer and enterprise markets.
*Heatmap of General-Purpose Embodied Intelligent Robots(Source: Omdia)
This year, Hongqiao Tech Week will elevate embodied intelligence from booth displays to immersive scenario experiences. Embodied intelligence technologies will be integrated into multiple real-life settings across the exhibition, covering smart reception, guided interactive tours, commercial services and other applications. Visitors will witness how robots engage in genuine work instead of merely demonstrating technical capabilities.
If you are engaged in humanoid robots, quadruped robots, industrial robots, dexterous hands, joint modules, sensors, machine vision, large AI models, robot operating systems, simulation platforms, AI chips, medical robots, logistics robots and other sectors within the robot supply chain, we sincerely invite you to join Hongqiao Tech Week and jointly shape the real-world landscape of the embodied intelligence industry.
*Partial content of this article is sourced from Omdia and SEER. There exists no commercial partnership, sponsorship, employment or other forms of interest association with any companies mentioned herein. Images are retrieved from the internet for auxiliary reading purposes only and not intended for commercial use. All copyrights belong to the original authors. Should any infringement occur, please contact us promptly, and we will remove the relevant materials immediately.
Hongqiao Tech Week will be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from November 20 to 22, 2026. With the theme “Global Tech Vision, Empowered by China’s Momentum”, the event brings together global enterprises, visionary leaders, startups, investment institutions and cutting-edge solution providers. By deeply integrating conferences, exhibitions, cultural experiences and high-level networking, it aims to forge transformative partnerships and identify key technologies that will reshape industries across Asia and the globe.