Education & Research Robot Manufacturer Software & Algorithm Provider Healthcare & Senior Care Industrial Manufacturing
Roundtable: When Will Robots Enter Real Scenarios Amid Widespread Bubble Awareness?
Original from 36kr.com: 主题圆桌:当所有人都看到泡沫,机器人何时走入真实场景 | 36氪WAVES2026新浪潮

Roundtable: When Will Robots Enter Real Scenarios Amid Widespread Bubble Awareness?

In 2026, the investment landscape in China is witnessing a significant shift as artificial intelligence (AI) transitions from a conceptual technology to a driving force in various industries. The WAVES 2026 conference, hosted by 36Kr and AnYun, took place in Guangzhou's Panyu district, bringing together top investors, industry leaders, and emerging entrepreneurs to explore the evolving landscape of AI, hard technology, and healthcare through 14 in-depth roundtable discussions and numerous independent speeches.

Prominent figures in the field, including CEOs and CTOs from leading tech companies, gathered to discuss the potential of embodied intelligence—a rapidly growing sector attracting substantial investment. The discussions highlighted the challenges and opportunities within this domain, particularly regarding the commercialization of robotics and AI technologies.

Participants shared insights on the current state of the market, with some companies already generating revenue through innovative applications of AI in various sectors. However, concerns about market bubbles and the sustainability of investments were also raised, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of the underlying business models and real-world applications.

As the conference concluded, the consensus among attendees was that while the industry is still in its infancy, the potential for growth and innovation remains vast, driven by a new generation of entrepreneurs eager to redefine the future of technology in China.

RobotToday Initiative

Robotics needs a service framework.

RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.

Share

Related Articles/News

Research Highlights Risks of Smart Systems Including AI, Robotics, and Bioweapons

Research Highlights Risks of Smart Systems Including AI, Robotics, and Bioweapons

Recent discussions have highlighted the risks associated with advanced technologies, including industrial robots, drones, and AI systems. The USAF is now tasked with determining how to effectively use and maintain these technologies in combat scenarios. Meanwhile, ANYbotics has developed robot dogs capable of navigating secured facilities while adhering t...

AI and Robotics
PAL Robotics Unveils TIAGo Pro Arm for Advanced Manipulation and AI Research

PAL Robotics Unveils TIAGo Pro Arm for Advanced Manipulation and AI Research

PAL Robotics has launched the TIAGo Pro Arm, a standalone robotic manipulation platform designed for researchers in robot learning and physical AI. This new system is being showcased at IROS 2026 in Pittsburgh, running from September 27 to October 1. The arm features seven degrees of freedom and is built on ROS 2 and ros_control, incorporating Series Elas...

Skydio Introduces F10 Lightrunner, MegaDock, and New Software for Autonomous Drone Operations

Skydio Introduces F10 Lightrunner, MegaDock, and New Software for Autonomous Drone Operations

Skydio has unveiled its first fixed-wing drone, the F10 Lightrunner, at the Ascend conference in Nevada. This aircraft is designed for long-distance missions, capable of reaching speeds of 100 mph and operating within a 30-mile radius for up to two hours. Alongside the F10, Skydio introduced the MegaDock and two software platforms, Asset Command and Secur...

News
IonQ to Install 256-Qubit Quantum Computer at Florida International University for Research

IonQ to Install 256-Qubit Quantum Computer at Florida International University for Research

IonQ, a US quantum computing company, plans to install a 256-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami by late 2027. This installation will provide researchers and students direct access to IonQ's sixth-generation quantum hardware, marking the first deployment of the Superion 256 system in Florida. The significa...

Science
ITESO Team Develops RoboMeshA Portable Educational Platform for Robotics Learning

ITESO Team Develops RoboMeshA Portable Educational Platform for Robotics Learning

In Guadalajara, Mexico, a team from ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara, has developed RoboMeshA, a portable educational platform aimed at enhancing robotics and AI learning in high schools lacking advanced tools. This initiative, part of the EPICS in IEEE program, involves 15 engineering students and faculty advisors who designed a self-contained m...

Robotics Ai Type-ti
University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal and KUKA Systems AWS Launch FSW Research Platform

University of Applied Sciences Magdeburg-Stendal and KUKA Systems AWS Launch FSW Research Platform

The University of Applied Sciences in Magdeburg-Stendal, in collaboration with KUKA Systems AWS, has introduced a new research cell dedicated to friction stir welding (FSW). This initiative aims to enhance the development and testing of innovative manufacturing processes, leveraging advanced robotics and digital technologies. The centerpiece of this resea...

Research Reveals Manufacturers Struggle with Data Connectivity Across Systems

Research Reveals Manufacturers Struggle with Data Connectivity Across Systems

Recent research indicates that fewer than half of manufacturers have fully integrated data across their design, production, quality, and business systems. Despite 77% of manufacturers claiming their operations are connected, only 40% have achieved full data connectivity, as reported in Hexagon’s 2026 America's State of Manufacturing Report. This disconnec...

Factory / Digital Transformation
Robotiq Launches Open-Source Software Tools for Enhanced Adaptive Grippers

Robotiq Launches Open-Source Software Tools for Enhanced Adaptive Grippers

Robotiq has introduced three open-source software tools for its adaptive grippers, aimed at enhancing robotics development. These tools include a ROS 2 package, a standalone C++ SDK, and updated Isaac Sim assets, all available on Robotiq’s GitHub repository. This release marks the initial components of Robotiq’s Contact Core software layer for physical AI...

AI AI Funding & Investment AI Infrastructure & Compute
Robotiq Introduces Open-Source Software for Enhanced Robot Manipulation and Physical AI

Robotiq Introduces Open-Source Software for Enhanced Robot Manipulation and Physical AI

Robotiq has unveiled three open-source software tools for its adaptive grippers, including a C++ SDK, an official ROS 2 package, and updated Nvidia Isaac Sim assets. These tools are now available on GitHub and are optimized by Robotiq to enhance the functionality of their grippers in physical AI applications. The significance of these releases lies in the...

Components News adaptive grippers
Siemens on Robots, Agentic AI and the "Last 3%" Problem

Siemens on Robots, Agentic AI and the "Last 3%" Problem

Siemens tells RobotToday at IMTS 2026 why AI robot demos are only the tip of the iceberg, and why agentic AI depends on PLM data and business context.

Industrial Robots
The Role of Quality Management Software in Enhancing Robot Production Line Efficiency

The Role of Quality Management Software in Enhancing Robot Production Line Efficiency

Fourteen months after a collaborative robot (cobot) cell began shipping, a mid-sized integrator found that its torque records were stored in a plant manager's email. With a customer audit approaching in nine days, the situation highlighted the critical importance of quality management in preventing revenue loss. Relying on spreadsheets for quality control...

Engineering Manufacturing Software
Google's Intrinsic Launches Open-Source Robotics Software for Industrial AI Applications

Google's Intrinsic Launches Open-Source Robotics Software for Industrial AI Applications

Intrinsic, a subsidiary of Google, has released Intrinsic Core as open-source robotics software, enabling developers to create AI-enabled industrial robot applications from prototype to production. This software includes features such as real-time robot control, pose estimation, and motion planning, available on GitHub under an Apache 2.0 license. The sig...

AI AI Funding & Investment AI Infrastructure & Compute

Related Suppliers

BioRobotics Laboratory, Korea University of Technology and Education

South Korean university research laboratory focusing on haptics, exoskeletons, rehabilitation robotics, and autonomous ground vehicles.

McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute

Hamilton, Ontario applied manufacturing research center at McMaster University; runs a 21,000 sq ft facility with seven research labs.

Education & Research Robot Manufacturer Software & Algorithm Provider

Robotics Education & Competition Foundation

The REC Foundation is a US nonprofit that runs VEX-based robotics and drone competitions reaching 1.1 million students across 70 countries.

Yuanqi Innovation (Xiamen) Robot Co., Ltd. 元启创新(厦门)机器人有限公司

yuanqirobot.com resolves to a Xiamen-based robot company; directory lists it as Qingdao YuanQi Intelligent Robot Tech — city mismatch requires verification.

OM Robot Technology Co. Ltd. 东莞全向机械科技有限公司

Chinese manufacturer of mecanum wheels, omnidirectional wheel bases, and mobile robotic platforms for AGV applications.

Industrial Manufacturing Robot Manufacturer Software & Algorithm Provider

Techman Robot Inc. (TM Robot) 達明機器人股份有限公司

Techman Robot is a Taiwanese cobot maker producing AI-powered collaborative robots with integrated built-in vision for manufacturing automation.

Ortelio Ltd

Ortelio Ltd is a UK cloud robotics research company founded in 2011 that develops AI platforms giving robots intelligence for service and healthcare tasks.

Education & Research Software & Algorithm Provider Research Institute

Parata Systems

Durham, North Carolina pharmacy automation maker acquired by BD in 2022; builds robotic vial-filling and packaging systems.

Healthcare & Senior Care Software & Algorithm Provider System Integrator

Pensa Systems

Austin-based AI retail shelf platform using autonomous drones and CV to detect stockouts; customers include J&J, AB InBev, and Circle K.

Software & Algorithm Provider Perception & Vision Human-Machine Interaction

Aiyuwencheng 江苏艾雨文承养老机器人有限公司

Chinese eldercare robot maker behind 'Datou A Liang', China's first home-based companion robot for seniors with active patrol and sleep monitoring.

Blue Frog Robotics

French social robotics company developing Buddy, an emotional AI companion robot for education, eldercare, inclusion, and hospitality.

Bodyfriend 바디프랜드

Seoul-based massage and wellness chair maker founded 2007; builds the Falcon, Familie, and 733 chair lines using its patented ROVO bipedal leg-massage system.

inJoin the RobotToday community on LinkedIn

Daily robotics news, in-depth analysis, conference highlights, and discussions with professionals worldwide.