Before taking the stage at the 2026 World Robot Conference (WRC), a new wave of embodied intelligence from Guangdong was already hard at work in the real world, far from the exhibition floor. From production-line workers and chemical park inspectors to baristas crafting latte art, the province's robots demonstrated a versatile range of applications that captivated audiences in Guangzhou. Industry observers note that the transition from impressive displays to practical, market-tested deployment highlights the robust momentum of Guangdong's embodied intelligence sector and signals a rapid acceleration in the synergy between advanced manufacturing and modern services.
Industrial Scenarios: Moving from Showcase to Shop Floor
The industrial sector remains the most mature domain for robot deployment, and this was evident at the conference. UBTech presented its Cruzr Y1 and Cruzr S2 humanoid robots performing live, end-to-end operations. The demonstration covered four key scenarios: loading and unloading automotive sheet metal and machined parts, palletizing and depalletizing containers and cartons, and sorting small items for e-commerce logistics. This showcased a complete solution spanning production, material handling, and warehouse operations, all executed autonomously without human intervention, precisely meeting the demands of long-duration, high-intensity, and continuous industrial workflows.
Following the earlier deployment of its Walker S1 robots in automotive plants, UBTech announced a new collaboration with South Korea's DaeSan JMR and AJIN Industrial in June. The partnership will validate the use of the newly launched wheeled humanoid robot Cruzr Y1 on automotive parts production lines in South Korea.
Meanwhile, Yuejia Lingdong brought its YJ30 and YJ30 Max quadruped inspection robots to the WRC. The robots easily navigated simulated stairs and slopes, demonstrating exceptional obstacle-climbing capability and environmental adaptability. Equipped with autonomous navigation, 4G/5G video transmission, and voice interaction, these robots are designed to replace humans in high-risk environments like chemical parks, substations, underground utility tunnels, and disaster sites for tasks such as reconnaissance, inspection, and material transport. They are already officially deployed at locations including Shenzhen Metro stations and the Shenzhen Bay Innovation and Technology Centre. "Our goal is to solve real-world problems that are undesirable, difficult, or unsafe for humans," said Liu Ming, co-founder of Yuejia Lingdong.
Commercial Services: A Multifaceted Showcase
The commercial and consumer sectors proved to be another major arena for Guangdong's embodied AI, with several products taking center stage. A "boutique coffee shop" on the exhibition floor drew large crowds, served by the "intelligent beverage team" from Anno Robot. The world's first enclosed AI robot latte art and printing kiosk, powered by the Qwen large language model, can perform precise latte art while also generating custom images through AIGC. The company reports that the product has been sold in over 100 cities in China and more than 70 countries worldwide, securing a significant share of the global desktop robotic arm market. "With our base in Shenzhen, we have over 80 locations up and running. You can see our robot baristas at Window of the World, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, and the Shenzhen Industrial Exhibition Hall," said a sales manager from Anno Robot.
Gaoqing Robot unveiled its Mini Pi series, touted as the industry's first stably mass-produced small bipedal robot. Its combination of compact size and powerful engineering makes it an ideal development platform for education and competition. In the education sector, Gaoqing Robot has built a comprehensive teaching system spanning early childhood, K-12, vocational training, and university research, and has established deep partnerships with more than 50 institutions nationwide. In the commercial sphere, its robots have been featured at high-profile events like Weibo Night and the Cannes Film Market, and have been developed as cultural IP carriers, including a lion dance robot and a "Big Bay Chicken" robot, offering new digital avenues for exhibitions, brand marketing, and cultural tourism.
"Our vision is to put a humanoid robot in everyone's hands," said a representative from Zhongqing Robot, adding that the company may explore companion-style products in the future to provide emotional value to everyday users.
From industrial floors to commercial services, Guangdong's robots are proving their worth through practical application, embodying the transition of embodied intelligence from cutting-edge technology to tangible industrial value. These achievements underscore the province's manufacturing strength and serve as a prime example of the coordinated growth between advanced manufacturing and modern services. Looking ahead, as technology evolves, application scenarios expand, and the ecosystem matures, these innovative robots from southern Guangdong are poised to accelerate their evolution, turning science fiction into reality and injecting fresh momentum into the growth of new quality productive forces.