Humanoid robots remain major attraction of World Robot Conference

Over 200 outstanding robot enterprises are participating in the 2025 World Robot Conference, which runs from August 8 to 12 in Beijing, among which the number of manufacturers of full-body humanoid robots set a new record for similar exhibitions worldwide.

More than 400 top scientists from home and abroad, representatives of international organizations, academicians and entrepreneurs will exchange and share views on the industrial trends, application practices and innovative achievements in the field of robotics.

Humanoid robots remain a major attraction of the conference, with 50 manufacturers of full-body humanoid robots showcasing their latest innovations.

"This year's conference, themed 'Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent', has received support from 28 international institutions. Over 10,000 contestants from nearly 20 countries around the world are participating, and more than 1,500 products from over 200 enterprises are on display, including over 100 new products making their debut. The conference will bring us forward-looking insights and innovative achievements in the global robotics field," said Xu Xiaolan, chairman of the Chinese Institute of Electronics.

China, as the world's largest market for industrial robots, is also the world's largest producer of robots. Now industrial robots has been used in 71 major industries and 236 medium industries of the national economy, with manufacturing robot density ranking third globally.

"The Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of the robot industry. In the first half of this year, the operating revenue of the robot industry increased 27.8 percent year on year. The output of industrial robots and service robots rose 35.6 percent and 25.5 percent respectively year on year. China has ranked as the world's largest market for industrial robot applications for 12 consecutive years," said Xin Guobin, vice minister of industry and information technology.

Co-hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the World Robot Cooperation Organization, this year's conference is estimated to attract a record number of international institutions. A robot consumer festival will also run alongside the conference, aimed at boosting both industrial upgrades and consumer demand.

Humanoid robots remain major attraction of World Robot Conference

Humanoid robots remain major attraction of World Robot Conference

Humanoid robots remain major attraction of World Robot Conference

Humanoid robots remain major attraction of World Robot Conference

Multiple states across Brazil have been gripped by an intense heatwave in recent days, prompting local authorities to issue weather alerts and urging residents to take precautions, with the high temperatures forecast to continue.

Southeastern states including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais have been experiencing the most extreme heat, with temperatures climbing to a sweltering high of 40.8 degrees Celsius in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.

Authorities across the country have been sending out weather warnings, with residents being advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activities and medics reminding people to take measures to ensure they stay hydrated.

"[You have to] drink plenty of water, use a fan. There is not much you can do to escape it, really. It is absurdly hot," said Ana Flavia, a local resident in Sao Paulo.

"With this change in temperature and the excessive heat, we see a lot of cases of dehydration," said Tiago Foliate Pitirilo, a doctor from the city's Hospital Sao Camilo.

The sweltering heat may be around for a while more, according to experts, who say higher water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean mean Brazil is likely to face more frequent heatwaves this year.

"The ocean forecast indicates that in the second half of the year we will have a warmer Pacific Ocean. This allows us to infer that the number of heat waves in 2026 may be higher than last year, when the Pacific Ocean was cooler," said Marecelo Seluchi, a meteorologist from Brazil's National Center for Monitoring and Alerts for Natural Disasters (CEMADEN).

Brazil in midst of heatwave with more extreme temperatures expected