Photo: Li Hao/GT
The 2025 China Science Fiction Convention, to be held from Friday to Monday at Shougang Park in Beijing, is set to dazzle visitors with an extraordinary showcase of innovative technology paired with limitless creativity. Industry professionals noted that alongside showcasing cutting-edge technological advancements, greater attention should be given to the humanistic values behind technological innovations.
In the field of intelligent robotics, Chinese companies are driving the evolution from bionic to intelligent robots through independently developed core joint technologies.
“In China, humanoid robots had already achieved mass production of core joints by 2020. Now, our latest teleoperation technology further enhances robots’ ability to precisely collect data and perform complex tasks,” Cui Hao, ecological operations director at China’s RealMan Robotics, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Cui showcased how a robot, when linked to a wearable device, could fully replicate the wearer’s movements. The robot successfully performed a series of complex tasks, including grasping objects, watering plants and using a vacuum cleaner to clean clothing.
“The showcased robot features seven degrees of freedom, with joint flexibility approaching that of a human. It can precisely mirror the operator’s movements,” he noted.
“This technological breakthrough stems from our independent development of integrated joints, which addresses key challenges in flexibility and load capacity. As a result, the robot has a rated load capacity of five kilograms, with a maximum load of 9-10 kilograms,” he said.
According to Cui, this type of robot is primarily used for scientific research but is also expanding into industrial production, 3C electronics and hotel services. Its core advantage lies in replacing humans in repetitive and hazardous tasks rather than displacing human labor.
China’s RealMan Robotics has gained widespread recognition from domestic and international clients for its high-precision operations in confined spaces. The company’s annual production capacity exceeds 20,000 units, with its revenue tripling for three consecutive years, according to a report from the Beijing Daily.
“The ultimate goal of intelligent robots is to assist humans, enhance work efficiency, and optimize labor conditions, rather than trigger fears of job displacement,” Cui noted.
On Thursday, at the humanoid robot data training center at the Sci-Fi Conference, researchers worked on large-scale data collection and model training to accelerate the deployment of robots across various industries.
Zhang Qinfeng, head of the humanoid robot training center, told the Global Times that the center’s primary task is to collect high-quality data with the aim of generating a dataset of over 1 million entries within the year. This data will be used to develop industry-specific models, such as precision harvesting models for agriculture and specialized operation models for complex industrial tasks.
“Data, models and hardware advancements collectively form the foundation of an intelligent future,” Zhang noted.
“As data continues to accumulate, AI models improve, and robotic hardware capabilities advance, humanoid robots will gradually transition from industrial laboratories to large-scale real-world applications,” he noted.
Aelos, a small bipedal humanoid robot developed by Zhikan Shenjian (Beijing) Technology, made an appearance during the “Beijing 8 Minutes” performance at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. In 2025, the company introduced KUAVO, which participated in the Asian Winter Games torch relay, interacting with torchbearers to showcase technological advancements.
In addition to humanoid robots, quadruped (dog-like) robots have also garnered significant attention.
“Quadruped robots, designed with biomimetic principles, utilize advanced motion control algorithms to achieve stable walking, running, and even jumping,” Li Yuhui, a vice general manager of Zhikan Shenjian, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Currently, quadruped robots are primarily used for industrial inspections, emergency rescues and security patrols, with some consumer-grade models gradually entering the home service market.
With advancements in perception technology and AI-driven decision-making, quadruped robots are steadily moving from research labs into practical applications.
“The Yunso W50 quadruped robot demonstrates extensive application potential in street scenarios due to its exceptional mobility, robust payload capacity, and environmental adaptability,” Li noted.
“Whether deployed in urban management, emergency rescue operations, or routine inspections, the W50 efficiently accomplishes tasks, serving as a pivotal enabler for smart city development,” she said.
As intelligent robots become more integrated into daily life, discussions surrounding their social impact are gaining momentum. Experts at the conference emphasized that while technological advancements drive efficiency and automation, the true value of innovation lies in its ability to enhance human well-being and expand creative possibilities.
“The model of ‘hard technology + soft thinking’ is shaping a more human-centered development path for future intelligent societies,” senior science education expert Zhai Yongxia told Global Times on Thursday.
According to Zhai, humans can devote their energy to more valuable and meaningful pursuits in the future, such as innovation, art and emotional communication – areas where machines cannot fully replace human capabilities.
