Exploring the frontiers of robotics at 2024 World Robot Conference

The 2024 World Robot Conference, a prestigious gathering in the realm of robotics, came to a close on Sunday in Beijing. With the theme "Co-Fostering New Quality Productive Forces for a Shared Intelligent Future," the five-day conference attracted diverse and distinguished attendees, including robot scientists, representatives from international organizations, academicians and entrepreneurs from around the globe.

The event was structured into three main segments: forums, expos and competitions. It attracted 169 enterprises to exhibit more than 600 innovative robots, with over 60 of them making their debut.

In the expo section, a record number of 27 humanoid robots were on display, showcasing their application potential across various fields such as industry, healthcare, and services. Notable among these were the "Tiangong," developed by the Beijing Embodied Artificial Intelligence Robotics Innovation Center, and the Unitree G1 presented by Unitree Robotics.

Regarding the competition, four major contests attracted more than 7,000 teams and over 13,000 competitors. In a showcase area of the Brain-computer Interface Controlled Robot Contest, many visitors lined up to experience the latest technology of brain-controlled robots – without moving their fingers, they could type numbers on the screen just by using their brain and eyes.

Gai Keke, a professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, told CGTN that the use of robots in agriculture and healthcare deserves more attention. In addition, he said fields such as education, transportation, energy and entertainment also have the demand for robotics technology.

The Chinese robotics industry has emerged as a pivotal player and a catalyst for innovation in the world. Gai noted that China has advantages in "the application and market" of robots.

"These conditions form a relatively complete industry chain, which is constructive to the development of robotic technology," he added. "Moreover, the number of robotic technicians in China is big, which also provides a good talent pool for the rapid development."

(Cover via CFP. Gong Zhe contributed to the story.)