World Robot Conference 2024: 5 humanoid robots that grabbed everyone’s attention

The World Robot Conference 2024, held in Beijing, China, was a remarkable event that showcased the latest advancements in robotics. The five-day conference featured over 27 different models of humanoid robots, attracting more than 169 exhibitors and showcasing over 600 innovative products. The event highlighted China’s growing ambition to lead the global robotics industry, as the country continues to invest heavily in technology.Take a closer look at five humanoid robots that captured the attention of attendees and the global media at this year’s conference.


The Astribot S1, developed by Stardust Intelligence, is a humanoid assistant robot designed to perform various tasks with precision. First introduced in a demo video in April 2024, the Astribot S1 demonstrated its capabilities by folding a shirt and pouring wine. At the World Robot Conference, the Astribot S1 impressed attendees with its calligraphy skills, showcasing its ability to perform delicate and artistic tasks. The robot’s versatility and dexterity make it a standout in the field of humanoid assistants.

NAVIAI, created by the Zhejiang Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, made its debut at the conference and quickly became a crowd favourite. Weighing 60 kilograms, NAVIAI is designed to mimic human behaviour and was seen delivering speeches, making tea, and playing chess. The robot’s quasi-human nature and its ability to perform a wide range of tasks make it a significant innovation in humanoid robotics. NAVIAI's creators envision its use in various applications, from public speaking to hospitality.

Agibot, a series of five robots developed by a Shanghai-based startup, is set to revolutionize the delivery industry. Founded by a former Huawei employee, Agibot aims to deploy these humanoid robots for delivery services by mid-October 2024. The robots are designed to handle tasks such as delivering items, acting as sales representatives, guiding visitors in galleries, and picking factory parts. With plans to manufacture a large batch of 300 robots, Agibot is positioning itself as a key player in the future of automated deliveries and customer service.

Wanda, a dual-arm humanoid robot developed by Japanese company UniX AI, is designed to assist with household chores. Mounted on wheels, Wanda can perform tasks such as laundry and cooking, making it a practical solution for home automation. Equipped with stain recognition and multi-motive primitive fusion technology, Wanda can wash dishes and handle other kitchen tasks with ease. During the conference, Wanda’s cooking skills were on full display, demonstrating its potential to become an essential household assistant.

Tesla’s Optimus humanoid robot also made an appearance at the World Robot Conference, though it remained in a glass case as attendees took photos. Despite its stationary display, Optimus remains one of the most talked-about robots in the industry. Earlier this year, Elon Musk announced that two Optimus robots were already working autonomously in one of Tesla’s factories. The company has ambitious plans to produce these robots for internal use by next year, with hopes of scaling up production for other companies by 2026.

Apart from these five standout humanoids, the World Robot Conference 2024 also featured a variety of other robotic innovations. Robots were seen performing traditional Chinese martial arts, playing the zither (a stringed musical instrument), and even opening soda cans. Additionally, Shenzhen-based Wisson Technology showcased 3D-printed flexible robotic manipulators, which serve as pneumatic artificial muscles to power robots. While these parts are more cost-effective than traditional transmission devices, there are concerns about their reliability, as noted by industry experts.
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