The 2025 China Science Fiction Convention, set to take place from Friday to Monday at Shougang Park in Beijing, promises to offer an extraordinary display of innovative technology combined with boundless creativity. Industry experts have pointed out that, alongside showcasing advanced technological developments, more emphasis should be placed on the humanistic values underlying these innovations.
In the realm of intelligent robotics, Chinese companies are at the forefront of evolving from bionic to intelligent robots, driven by independently developed core joint technologies.
“By 2020, China had already achieved mass production of humanoid robots’ core joints. Our latest teleoperation technology further enhances robots’ capabilities to accurately gather data and perform complex tasks,” said Cui Hao, ecological operations director at RealMan Robotics, in an interview with the Global Times on Thursday.
Cui demonstrated how a robot, connected to a wearable device, could mirror the wearer’s movements, successfully completing tasks such as grasping objects, watering plants, and using a vacuum cleaner to clean clothing.
“The robot showcases seven degrees of freedom, with joint flexibility similar to that of a human. It can replicate the operator’s movements with precision,” he added.
Cui attributed this breakthrough to the company’s development of integrated joints, which tackle key challenges in flexibility and load capacity. The robot can carry a rated load of five kilograms, with a maximum capacity of 9-10 kilograms.
While primarily used for scientific research, this type of robot is expanding into industries such as industrial production, 3C electronics, and hotel services. Its core advantage lies in replacing humans for repetitive and hazardous tasks rather than displacing human workers.
RealMan Robotics has earned recognition both domestically and internationally for its high-precision operations in confined spaces. With an annual production capacity exceeding 20,000 units, the company has seen its revenue triple for three consecutive years, according to 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 explained.
At the humanoid robot data training center within the conference, researchers have been working 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, noted, “Our primary task is to collect high-quality data, aiming to generate a dataset of over 1 million entries this year. This data will be used to develop industry-specific models, such as precision harvesting for agriculture and specialized models for complex industrial tasks.”
“Data, models, and hardware advancements collectively form the foundation of an intelligent future,” Zhang added. “As data accumulates, AI models improve, and robotic hardware capabilities advance, humanoid robots will gradually move from industrial laboratories to real-world applications.”
One of the robots showcased, Aelos, is a small bipedal humanoid robot developed by Zhikan Shenjian (Beijing) Technology. Aelos appeared during the “Beijing 8 Minutes” performance at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and, in 2025, participated in the Asian Winter Games torch relay, interacting with torchbearers to demonstrate technological progress.
Alongside humanoid robots, quadruped (dog-like) robots have also captured significant attention.
“Quadruped robots, designed using biomimetic principles, employ advanced motion control algorithms to walk, run, and even jump with stability,” said Li Yuhui, vice general manager of Zhikan Shenjian, in an interview on Thursday.
Currently, quadruped robots are used primarily for industrial inspections, emergency rescues, and security patrols, with some consumer models entering the home service market. As advancements in perception technology and AI-driven decision-making continue, quadruped robots are moving from research labs into practical applications.
Li highlighted the Yunso W50 quadruped robot, which demonstrates great potential in street scenarios due to its impressive mobility, robust payload capacity, and environmental adaptability.
“Whether deployed in urban management, emergency rescue operations, or routine inspections, the W50 efficiently carries out tasks, making it a pivotal enabler for smart city development,” Li added.
As intelligent robots become more integrated into daily life, discussions on their social impact are gaining traction. Experts at the conference emphasized that while technological advancements drive efficiency and automation, the true value of innovation lies in its capacity to improve human well-being and unlock creative possibilities.
“The model of ‘hard technology + soft thinking’ is paving the way for a more human-centered development path for future intelligent societies,” said Zhai Yongxia, a senior science education expert.
Zhai concluded, “In the future, humans can devote their energies to more valuable and meaningful pursuits, such as innovation, art, and emotional communication—areas where machines cannot fully replace human abilities.”
