Humanoid Robots Showcase Advanced Skills at Hong Kong Exhibition
Humanoid robots have taken centre stage in Hong Kong, demonstrating remarkable language proficiency and physical abilities such as boxing. The X2 Ultra robot, developed by China's leading manufacturer AGIBOT Innovation, captivated audiences with its interactive capabilities.
Interactive Demonstrations Delight Visitors
More than one hundred robots were displayed across two exhibitions commencing on Monday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Among them, the X2 Ultra robot stood out by engaging visitors in conversations, singing songs, and responding to queries in both Mandarin and English. When questioned about its hobbies, the robot listed activities ranging from sports and dancing to studying technology and enjoying music.
The robot also demonstrated advanced visual recognition, accurately describing individuals in its vicinity, such as "a woman holding a phone" or "a man holding a camera." Calvin Chiu, Chief Operating Officer of Novautek Autonomous Driving and AGIBOT's Hong Kong agent, emphasised the robot's potential to provide emotional satisfaction through conversation and serve as an educational tool for both children and older adults.
China's Strategic Push in Robotics Technology
China's technological advancements have positioned it as a key competitor with the United States, with significant implications for national security. The country's latest five-year plan explicitly targets the frontiers of science and technology, accelerating the development and application of humanoid robots as part of its 2026-2030 economic strategy.
Official data reveals that China boasted over 140 humanoid robot manufacturers and more than 330 models in 2025. According to a recent report by London-based technology research group Omdia, AGIBOT, Unitree Robotics, and UBTech Robotics Corp. are ranked as first-tier vendors globally based on shipment numbers. These companies collectively shipped more than 1,000 units of general-purpose embodied intelligent robots last year, with AGIBOT and Unitree exceeding 5,000 units each.
The prominence of humanoid robots was further highlighted in February during China's CCTV Spring Festival gala, where a martial arts performance featuring children and robots garnered widespread attention.
Diverse Applications and Manufacturing Advantages
At the Hong Kong exhibition, Chinese exhibitors showcased a wide range of robotic capabilities, including talking to humans, punching, sand painting, performing backflips, and even capturing suspects with nets during security patrol demonstrations. Robert Chan, Global Strategy Officer at Shenzhen-based EngineAI, presented the PM01 robot, which demonstrated impressive mobility with a front flip.
Chan highlighted China's manufacturing advantages, particularly in low-cost engineering, and noted the collaborative approach to sharing know-how among companies, contrasting with the more protective practices common in the United States and Europe. His company plans to launch two factories in China this year to facilitate mass production.
The Future of Humanoid Robotics
Chan envisions the next stage of robotics focusing on robots with human-like appearances, enhanced emotional exchanges, and realistic facial expressions, potentially even simulating breathing. This evolution aims to bridge the gap in human-robot interactions, incorporating warmth and emotional connection while assisting with decision-making and task completion.
One exhibitor, Shenzhen DX Intech Technology Co., is already advancing in this direction. From a distance, three humanoid robots with female features and soft synthetic faces appeared to be greeting guests, showcasing potential applications in customer service and museum tour guiding. Business Director Wang Zuhua reported that the company has sold over 400 such robots, with some already deployed in museums and government venues on the mainland to guide visitors to facilities or provide tours.
Malaysian visitor Russel Lupang expressed amazement at the robots' appearances and movements, though he noted, "It's beautiful, but not real feeling." This sentiment underscores the ongoing challenge of achieving true human-like interaction in robotics, even as technology continues to advance rapidly.
