Global Forum on Mechanical Engineering 2026 to Robotics Shaping Tomorrow's Industrial Ecosystem with Physical AI
The forum will also feature a live demonstration of KAIROS, a Korean AI humanoid robot currently under development by KIMM. Equipped with visual and tactile sensors and artificial intelligence, KAIROS is designed to perceive its surroundings and perform mob...
Key takeaways
- Humanoid robot shipments are surging, with Smart Analytics Global reporting roughly 19,100 units shipped worldwide in the first half of 2026—more than triple the volume a year earlier—and projecting full‑year deliveries near 60,000, potentially climbing to 500,000 by 2030.
- China dominates the market, accounting for about 97 % of H1 shipments, driven by extensive supply‑chain support, new tariff codes, export‑insurance policies and a wave of government programs for real‑scenario training.
- The sector’s most visible commercial players include Unitree Robotics, which shipped over 5,500 units in 2025, announced an IPO on Shanghai’s STAR Market with a target valuation of roughly 61 billion yuan, and introduced a $16,000 G1 model that consumes only $82 a year in electricity.
- In industry settings, Xiaomi’s humanoid is already assembling components in its EV factory, AgiBot’s Elf G2 operates on a 3C production line, and StarDance’s M7 robot serves logistics centres for SF Express and China Post.
- New applications are also emerging: Tau Robotics is piloting a San Francisco household‑cleaning service with $30‑per‑hour humanoids, while Foundation’s “Phantom” robot is being pitched for autonomous border‑patrol duties, though no formal contracts exist yet.
The forum will also feature a live demonstration of KAIROS, a Korean AI humanoid robot currently under development by KIMM. Equipped with visual and tactile sensors and artificial intelligence, KAIROS is designed to perceive its surroundings and perform mobility, manipulation, and interactive tasks. It is being developed for a wide range of applications, from household assistance and caregiving to manufacturing automation, disaster response, safety, and defense. ###### KEYWORDS
Applied Sciences and Engineering humanoid robotics industrial ecosystem robot demonstrations Artificial Intelligence robotic technologies Manufacturing Healthcare
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Behavioral Science Education Government History Politics Social Media View all Life Channels The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Byoung-Tak Zhang of Seoul National University under the title “Humanoid AI: From Generative AI to Embodied Intelligence.” Professor Zhang will introduce artificial intelligence technologies that enable humanoid robots to understand diverse environments and tasks and make autonomous decisions, while also presenting future directions for the development of humanoid AI.
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