Practical application of embodied AI robots shine at 2026 World AI Conference

While a dazzling array of AI terminals captivated visitors at the 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC), industry attention has shifted decisively from mere technology showcases to their real-world applications in production and daily life. Data scale, evaluation standards, and network collaboration -- these behind-the-scenes tasks determine whether AI can truly move from the exhibition booth into factories and homes, according to industrial insiders.

An exhibitor at the event said that their company don't produce robots, but rather provide the data fuel for embodied intelligence. Through head and hand sensors worn by staff, every movement and detail of a person making coffee is collected and processed into data that robot can learn from. This human data, along with simulation data, is used for model training.

"We are building a school that provides [embodied intelligence] students with teaching materials, which are our data; it also provides exams -- our assessment capabilities. We are establishing a complete chain from data simulation and evaluation to deployment, forming a system for continuous learning and improvement," said Yang Haibo, co-founder of Lightwheel.

To raise the limited computing power of embodied intelligent robots, telecom operators are focusing on leveraging the advantages of network connectivity and cloud computing to develop cloud-based brains and remote computing support technologies for embodied intelligence. "Many complex tasks require cloud computing power, so we rely on our computing network brain to achieve edge-device collaboration. Each robot is equipped with a three-in-one module that supports communication, navigation, and AI-SIM identity card, giving each robot its own unique identifier," said Yin Yaoyao, manager of technology research division of science and technology innovation department of China Mobile.

As experts pointed out, embodied intelligence technology is still in its early stages. Currently, many embodied intelligence application demonstration tasks are still in the demonstration phase, achieving a success rate of over 90 percent. However, to truly enter application scenarios, a success rate of 99 percent or 99.9 percent or even higher is required.

"The mass production of robots across the industry has reached a critical point. Robot data, including data collection through methods such as data acquisition and crowdsourced data collection, is expected to accumulate millions of hours of high-quality data for the entire industry this year. Based on this foundation, we believe that embodied intelligence models will experience a qualitative leap in the next two years," said Bai Chenjia, director of the embodied intelligence research center of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence of China Telecom.

The 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance runs from Friday to Monday, bringing together official representatives, business leaders, scholars and researchers from more than 100 countries and international organizations.

Practical application of embodied AI robots shine at 2026 World AI Conference

A wave of "AI Plus" applications and innovations took center stage at the ongoing 2026 World AI Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance on Sunday -- the third day of the event, as developers and startups pivoted from academic concepts to real-world rollouts.

The event in Shanghai put practical implementation under the spotlight, showcasing how artificial intelligence is transforming traditional sectors like transportation, logistics, finance, education, and disaster management.

At a forum dedicated to AI-empowered earthquake mitigation, researchers unveiled a suite of achievements, including an earthquake agent and large AI models for seismology.

Moving forward, China plans to build a four-in-one AI technology architecture integrating data, models, platforms, and applications to better support disaster prevention and relief.

AI safety was meanwhile the primary focus at the Frontier and Agentic AI Safety Forum, where experts discussed frontier AI risk management, agent loss of control risk and emergency management. The forum launched five landmark research achievements, establishing a comprehensive AI safety management framework that spans technical tools, standards, and emergency protocols.

At the World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, a core venue for the event, the spotlight shifted from academic research to commercial reality.

A wide range of cutting-edge AI technologies and highly functional intelligent robots attracted crowds of visitors.

Among the highlights was a mind-controlled wheelchair developed by a husband-and-wife entrepreneurial team. Inspired by the husband's limited mobility caused by an illness a few years ago, the couple leveraged AI technology to create an assistive device operated via an external headset that decodes thought patterns.

The creators said they hope the event will help the wheelchair transition from a trade show novelty into the homes of disabled individuals.

The couple's venture is among more than 150 startups featured at the exhibition hall. Many of the concepts on display were confined to academic papers just a year ago, but have since materialized into physical products.

Another noteworthy exhibit allowed visitors to pet a robotic dog outfitted with touch-sensitive artificial skin, demonstrating a technology that could have benefits for elderly care, as the sensitive synthetic skin enables robots to gauge the fragility of human bones and apply the necessary force when assisting patients. Applied to a vest, a live demonstration showed a screen instantly registering tactile feedback from the synthetic layer.

To facilitate commercialization of these technologies, organizers also set up business matchmaking zones where startups can pitch directly to buyers with specific industrial needs.

WAIC spotlights AI Plus applications, innovations on third day