At the 2026 World Robot Conference yesterday, the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area issued the "Sandbox Approval" Access Certificate for Humanoid Robot Performances to three companies, while simultaneously launching the nation's first full-process management system for robot sandbox approvals. This marks the official implementation of the first "sandbox approval" model for humanoid robot performances in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, representing another pioneering step in the region's regulatory innovation for new business formats, following its previous work with digital human performances.

As embodied intelligence technology accelerates its iteration, robots are rapidly entering public domains such as performing arts and services. However, traditional approval models lack corresponding access standards and regulatory pathways, creating a practical dilemma where industries face "no path for development and no rules for innovation." The "Work Plan for Piloting 'Sandbox Approval' for New Quality Productive Forces (Trial)" issued by the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area in June was designed precisely to address this challenge.

Sandbox approval is a new type of inclusive and prudent administrative approval model, primarily targeting new technologies, new business formats, and new models that lack clear industry standards or are difficult to fit within existing regulations. By establishing a controlled isolation testing space with manageable risks, compliant pilot programs are conducted while maintaining safety bottom lines, employing a closed-loop management process of application for entry, conformity review, sandbox testing, and approval upon exit. Rather than directly issuing formal licenses, this approach allows innovative entities to conduct trial operations within a defined scope and timeframe, with continuous tracking and risk control throughout. Once the pilot is proven mature, it transitions to formal approval and admission, balancing industrial innovation with risk prevention and providing institutional support for the development of new quality productive forces.

Recently, the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area has taken the lead in launching the nation's first sandbox pilot for digital human commercial performances, granting a pilot license and digital artist card to AI virtual idol YURI, establishing mature experience in dual-dimensional review covering "technical safety and content compliance." This extension from "virtual digital humans" to "physical robots" represents a further deepening of institutional innovation achievements.

According to reports, the first batch of three companies entering the sandbox each bring distinct technical advantages and performance characteristics, corresponding to three performance categories: emotional interactive performance, instrumental ensemble, and formation dance, forming a differentiated and complementary pilot structure. At the event, the nation's first full-process management system for robot sandbox approvals was officially released and launched. The system is developed based on the existing robot full-lifecycle management infrastructure in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, featuring core modules including pilot enterprise management, in-sandbox robot monitoring, on-site performance management, and safety officer filing, connecting the entire chain of enterprise admission, daily operations, and live performances.

Wang Guanqun, a responsible official from the Comprehensive Approval Division of the Administrative Approval Bureau of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, explained that the platform places strong emphasis on enhancing real-time on-site dynamic control capabilities. By integrating three types of signals—device positioning, on-site video, and operational data—the regulatory backend can simultaneously achieve real-time robot location tracking, remote inspection of on-site footage, monitoring of equipment operational status, and automatic alerts for abnormal conditions. Once a risk is triggered, regulatory personnel can respond and handle it immediately. It is reported that the system has currently completed the integration of the first batch of 3 enterprises, 7 robots, and 14 full-time safety officers, with the capacity to simultaneously support real-time supervision of 16 performance venues.