Humanoid robots steal show in Shanghai

Humanoid robots dominated the 2025 Pujiang Innovation Forum in Shanghai, a three‑day event co‑hosted by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology and the Shanghai municipal government. Over 500 delegates from 45 countries gathered under the theme “Sharing Innovation and Shaping the Future: Building an Open and Cooperative Global Sci‑tech Community” to witness a showcase of China’s rapidly advancing robotics sector.

Live demonstrations highlighted a breadth of capabilities. Robots conversed fluently in multiple languages, told jokes, answered complex questions and switched languages instantly. Onstage they performed precise physical tasks—calligraphy, musical instrument playing, synchronized dancing, and delicate assembly‑line work—while some models displayed human-like facial expressions, nodding or smiling in response to interaction. Developers emphasized that advances in AI, natural‑language processing, sensor arrays and machine‑learning algorithms now enable these machines to adapt autonomously to unpredictable environments.

Beyond entertainment, practical applications were front‑and‑center. Healthcare prototypes monitored vital signs, assisted patient mobility and offered companionship to the elderly. Educational robots tutored children in math and language, acting as potential classroom aides. Industrial demonstrations showed humanoids conducting safety inspections and handling fragile components in hazardous settings. Companies stressed that the new generation of robots is designed for natural human interaction, making them suitable for customer service, elder‑care and rehabilitation roles.

Forum organizers positioned China as a leader in robotics, linking the technology to national strategies for industrial upgrading and economic growth. International experts praised the technical breakthroughs but warned of ethical issues, job displacement and the need for global regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible deployment.

The event concluded with a clear message: humanoid robots have moved from science‑fiction concepts to tangible tools poised to reshape daily life, workplaces, schools and hospitals, heralding a future of close human‑machine collaboration.