onsdag 13. august 2025

Wonders and woes of China’s robotics industry

At the World Robot Conference in Beijing, which concluded Tuesday, the mood was a blend of optimism and caution: Businesses showed off increasingly lifelike humanoid robots even as they conceded that technological gaps keeping these machines from mainstream usage remain wide.

Thousands turned up to watch humanoid robots to perform an array of unusual feats: from clumsily serving popcorn and drinks, spinning handkerchiefs, sparring in a boxing ring to playing chess and showcasing football skills.

But none of these feats amounted to a technological breakthrough. While there have been improvements in design, maneuverability and appearance, the androids still struggle to process and respond to their surroundings, a limitation that keeps them from most real-life workplace roles.