A robot “carnival” on the outskirts of Shanghai showcased demonstrations from more than 100 companies involved in robotic research, development, manufacturing and sales. Families and curious visitors turned up to see humanoids and other robots in person — part of an effort to promote embodied AI, the embedding of artificial intelligence into physical systems, which featured in China’s latest five-year plan.
What was on display
- An 11-year-old boy excitedly showed off a small robotic dog that attempted stunts, including what looked like a handstand; his mother had bought the toy at the carnival.
- Nearby, staff taught children how to make a quadrupedal robot walk up a flight of stairs.
- A temporary ring hosted a duel between two remote-controlled robots firing water beads at each other; staff eventually declared the bout a draw.
- Some booths demonstrated robots doing practical tasks: one humanoid model made coffee, while a pair of robotic arms attempted to fold a basket of T-shirts.
- In the main tent, humanoids performed for the crowd: one dressed in a flashy outfit demonstrated a martial-arts style known as drunken boxing, while another executed a front flip. A line of small robotic lions waited beside the stage to perform.
Why public showcases matter
Organizers say close-up public exposure is important, especially since humanoid progress elsewhere has been slower. Chinese companies are staging similar displays in shopping malls and tourist sites in other cities, and in Beijing bipedal robots have even run half-marathons. The promotional push appears effective at drawing public interest, at least during this weekend in Shanghai.
Technical and economic limits
Despite the showmanship, humanoids face persistent challenges: balancing on two legs and their heft raise safety concerns; high prices and short battery life limit consumer appeal. Many roboticists remain skeptical that a human form is the optimal shape for robots.
China’s industrial push
The carnival reflects broader national ambitions to integrate AI into everyday life. According to the reported figures, nearly 90% of the more than 13,000 two-armed, two-legged robots delivered globally last year were manufactured in China, underlining the country’s significant role in the humanoid market.
The events in Shanghai suggest Chinese firms are deliberately using public demonstrations to win support and familiarize people with robots while continuing to improve their machines’ practical capabilities.
(The reporting on the event was by You Xiaoying, a London-based freelance journalist focusing on China.)
