The 2026 World Robot Conference (WRC) will be held from August 19 to 23 in Beijing, the event's organizers announced at a press conference recently.

Under the theme "Human-Robot Symbiosis, Production-Demand Convergence," this year's WRC will be held at the Beiren Etrong International Exhibition & Convention Center in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (Beijing E-Town).

On the sidelines of the conference, the organizers will also host the World Robot Expo and the World Robot Contest, offering a comprehensive showcase of the latest global advances in robotics and embodied intelligence. In all, there will be more than 60 robot-related activities.

This year's WRC will continue to expand its international influence, with support from nearly 30 international organizations, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations. International speakers are expected to account for around 30% at the conference's main forum, where leading scientists, entrepreneurs and industry experts will discuss technological progress, industrial trends and the future of robotics. To promote the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies, the forum will also invite user representatives to share high-value application scenarios, providing valuable market insights to guide future research and products development.

A highlight of this year's event is the launch of the Global Robot Application Exploration Program, which will provide mass-produced humanoid robots, quadruped robots and dexterous robotic hands free of charge to outstanding innovation teams worldwide for real-world testing. The initiative is designed to accelerate technology validation, encourage international collaboration and promote the application of innovative technologies.

Covering nearly 50,000 square meters, the World Robot Expo will feature four themed exhibition halls with more than 300 exhibitors, representing a 36% increase over last year. More than 2,000 exhibits, including over 150 newly launched products, will be presented across a wide range of sectors.

Running alongside the expo, the second E-TOWN Robot Consumption Festival will launch the Robot Consumption Street, where visitors can experience robot chefs, interactive demonstrations and immersive lifestyle scenarios of technology, food, and cultural industries. Besides, exhibits will also showcase robotics applications in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, retail, emergency response and other industries, highlighting the growing integration of robotics into real-world application scenarios.

The World Robot Contest Finals will bring together over 6,000 teams from more than 20 countries and regions, competing in frontier fields including drone-robot collaboration and brain-computer interface technologies.

As one of the world’s leading robotics events, the conference will further promote international cooperation, technological innovation and industrial application, reinforcing Beijing's position as an international center for scientific and technological innovation.