At the 2026 World Robot Conference (WRC 2026), Zhang Peng, co-founder of Zhiping Intelligence, shared insights during a media roundtable that the key to winning over clients lies not in immediate cost or efficiency metrics, but in a robot's capacity for continuous improvement.

Drawing a parallel to the smartphone market, Zhang noted that consumers initially pick devices based on specs or design, yet they later invest in new features rolled out through system updates. He cited Tesla's FSD as a prime example: "After you pay for it, the FSD evolves, and the value you derive keeps growing."

Applying this logic to industrial clients, Zhang explained, "What we tell customers isn't just the current speed or cycle time of the robot. Instead, we show them where it stands today, what it can achieve next month, and the outcomes it could deliver down the line." He emphasized that customers are not purchasing a static piece of equipment but rather "a flexible workforce that can evolve and unlock greater possibilities."

This approach has already proven effective in real-world engagements. "Our clients have witnessed their robots perform faster, more accurately, and better over time on their production lines, while also adapting to multiple roles," Zhang said. He cautioned that assessing a robot's value based solely on single-position productivity would be misleading: "When you factor in multiple capabilities and the learning curve that improves performance across various roles, the valuation perspective shifts entirely."

Zhang's remarks underscore a broader industry shift toward positioning robotics as dynamic, long-term assets rather than one-off machinery investments.