Have you ever tasted a dessert cooked by a robot chef? Or watched a humanoid robot boxer throw a powerful uppercut?
Visitors to the 2025 World Robotics Conference, held from August 8 to 12 in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (Beijing E-Town), got to experience exactly that. This year’s edition, themed “Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent,” featured over 1,500 exhibits from 200+ global robotics companies, bringing the future of automation to life.
Highlights That Stole the Show
Robot Boxing Matches
Unitree Robotics turned heads with a thrilling robot boxing arena, where two humanoids one in a black helmet, the other in green exchanged punches, dodged attacks, and staged a fierce showdown. The spectacle was so engaging that even spectators started commentating like it was a live sports match.
Robots on the Soccer Field
Beijing Booster Robotics wowed the audience with a robot soccer match. One humanoid robot dribbled, passed, and scored with precision, drawing cheers from the crowd. A five-year-old boy even tried his luck as the goalkeeper but was defeated 3–1. Despite the loss, his words summed up the audience’s excitement: “The robot is amazing!”
Robot Market – Music, Desserts & More
At the Robot Market exhibition zone, visitors discovered a lighter side of robotics. From robots playing melodious piano music to others making candied haws (traditional Chinese snacks), technology blended seamlessly with culture, entertainment, and daily life.
Humanoid Robots Take Center Stage
Undoubtedly, humanoid robots were the stars of the event. With 50 manufacturers showcasing full-body humanoids, the conference underscored their rising importance across industries.
At the opening ceremony, the China Institute of Electronics revealed the 10 most promising application scenarios for humanoid robots:
- General industrial operations
- Automotive manufacturing
- 3C (computers, communications, and consumer electronics) manufacturing
- Shipbuilding
- Petrochemical production inspection
- Power generation
- Emergency response operations
- Commercial services
- Home services
- Agricultural production
These scenarios highlight how humanoids are evolving beyond novelty into practical, industry-transforming tools.
China’s Growing Robotics Dominance
China continues to strengthen its global leadership in robotics:
- In 2024, China accounted for two-thirds of global robot patent applications.
- The country produced 556,000 industrial robots, making it the world’s top manufacturer.
- According to Morgan Stanley, China’s robotics market is projected to grow at 23% annually, reaching US$108 billion by 2028, up from US$47 billion in 2024.
This trajectory positions China not just as a hub of innovation, but also as a driving force in shaping how robots integrate into industries and daily life worldwide.
The Future Unfolding
From robot chefs and musicians to industrial workers and emergency responders, humanoid robots are moving rapidly from science fiction to reality. The 2025 Beijing Robotics Conference gave the world a glimpse of what lies ahead: a future where humans and robots collaborate across factories, homes, and cities alike.
