The World Robot Conference (WRC) opened in Beijing on Wednesday, coinciding with humanoid maker Unitree going public in Shanghai. Experts attending and following the developments warned that advanced artificial intelligence and robotics from China could trigger a new "China shock" for the global economy.
Policy focus: the "new new three"
Where earlier disruptions to Western economies were driven by traditional manufacturing, Chinese policymakers are now concentrating on what they call the "new new three": pharmaceuticals, robots, and artificial intelligence. These sectors are being pushed as pillars for export growth and technological competitiveness.
Unitree's demonstrations and market response
Earlier this week, Unitree unveiled a humanoid dubbed "Superman." The company said the robot can jump more than six feet (over 1.8 metres) and sprint at nearly 30 miles per hour (about 48 km/h). The demonstrations have stirred investor enthusiasm for Chinese humanoids, which already show capabilities such as dancing and performing martial arts.
However, Reuters noted that the tougher test will be proving these physical AI systems can operate reliably and produce economic value. Spectacular demos show technical progress, but wider commercial deployment requires further validation on durability, cost-effectiveness and real-world usefulness.
Why this matters
Both the conference and Unitree's public listing underline China's growing ambition in robotics and physical AI. If these technologies mature for industrial use, they could reshape export profiles and competitive dynamics in global markets.
Outstanding questions
Key questions remain about how the showcased robots will perform over extended periods in industrial settings, what reliability and cost metrics they can achieve, and how quickly these technologies can be scaled and exported. This year's WRC has put those practical and economic debates at the centre of attention.
