The World Intelligence Expo 2026, held in Tianjin from May 28 to 31, demonstrated how China’s intelligent manufacturing sector is moving rapidly from technological showcase to real-world application.
Under the theme “Intelligence: Extensive Development Space, Sustainable Growth Driver,” the expo gathered 741 companies across six major exhibition zones. By Saturday noon, the main venue had recorded 182,000 visits. More than 200 innovations were unveiled, covering intelligent manufacturing, the low-altitude economy, robotics and smart devices.
One of the most eye-catching exhibits was a robotic arm making freshly cooked jianbing (Chinese savory crepes) within minutes after customers scanned a QR code. Nearby, robot bands performed synchronized music, humanoid robots competed in boxing matches, and robotic dogs patrolled exhibition halls. What once seemed futuristic is increasingly entering daily life.
Compared with earlier years when demonstrations focused on whether robots could move or run, this year’s expo emphasized practical deployment. Humanoid robots now showcase precise synchronization and millisecond-level coordination, while quadruped robots patrol underground cable tunnels for inspection tasks. Emergency rescue robots, underwater robots and firefighting robots illustrated how automation is replacing humans in hazardous environments.
Brain-computer interface technology and AI-powered exoskeletons attracted significant attention. The latest smart exoskeletons can detect users’ movement intentions and provide real-time adaptive support, assisting in hiking, rehabilitation and elderly mobility. Official data showed that online retail sales of smart mobility exoskeletons surged 785.5 percent in the first four months of the year.
Industry experts note that intelligent manufacturing has shifted from emphasizing hardware specifications to integrated software-hardware capabilities. As core technologies mature, differentiation increasingly depends on system integration, precision control and application scenarios.
Policy guidance continues to shape the sector’s development. The 2026 Government Work Report proposed creating new forms of the smart economy, while the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) highlights comprehensive implementation of the “AI Plus” initiative. By the end of March, China’s intelligent computing capacity had reached 1,882 EFLOPS, providing strong infrastructure support for AI growth.
Observers say intelligent robots are becoming a core driver of new productive forces, with production models evolving from simple human-machine interaction to collaborative systems involving intelligent agents. As AI systems gain stronger autonomous decision-making capabilities, the mechanisms of industrial organization and value creation are also transforming.
For visitors, the expo offered more than technological spectacle. It provided a tangible glimpse into how intelligent manufacturing is reshaping industries and everyday life, signaling China’s transition from concept-driven innovation to scalable, ecosystem-based deployment.
