However, beyond the polished showrooms of Beijing, another very real scene—this one in Hangzhou—still lingers in my mind. On the rooftop of Unitree Robotics’ office building, employees had built a robot testing ground filled with various terrain obstacles. There, I saw the very same robot dogs and humanoid robots that nimbly vaulted over barriers in promotional videos struggling to navigate complex, real-world environments without an engineer holding a remote control. Compared to the flawless performances of humanoid robots in staged settings, this stark contrast with reality left me with a sense of the embodied intelligence industry’s awkwardness on the eve of full commercialisation.

Fast forward to this year. In just one year, Unitree Robotics successfully went public, surrounded by a dazzling aura. Yet, at the recently concluded 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing, Unitree’s founder, Wang Xingxing, poured cold water on an enthusiastic audience of practitioners and investors under the spotlight of the main forum. He bluntly pointed out that humanoid robots have not yet truly entered the stage of large-scale application, and their biggest shortcoming remains a lack of general-purpose capability. In his view, the true "ChatGPT moment" for embodied intelligence—when a robot can enter a completely unfamiliar home environment and autonomously complete about 80% of daily tasks using only voice commands—is still some distance away: 2 to 3 years in an ideal scenario, or perhaps 5 to 10 years if one is more pessimistic.

Wang’s remarks stand in sharp contrast to the numerous " social media trending topics" generated by two recent robotics conferences in Beijing. After the hype surrounding these events, I can’t help but wonder: how far are we really from the "ChatGPT moment" for embodied intelligence?

The 'Robot Olympics'

In late August, the 2026 World Robot Conference and the Second World Humanoid Robot Games were held back-to-back in Beijing. Thousands of domestic and foreign robots competed on the same stage, comprehensively showcasing the latest development achievements of the global robotics industry. Whether you were at the venue or just scrolling through short videos on your phone, you couldn't help but be infected by the feverish atmosphere, which felt like a sci-fi movie coming to life.

At the Second World Humanoid Robot Games, the humanoid robot "Tiangong Ultra" ran the 100-meter dash final in 8.64 seconds, nearly one second faster than the human world record held by Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt. In the standing high jump, a humanoid robot cleared a height of 2.88 meters, far exceeding the 0.96-meter best mark set at the inaugural games last year, and shattering the human high jump world record of 2.45 meters set by Cuban athlete Javier Sotomayor in 1993. In addition, humanoid robots made a strong impression and dominated trending topics with outstanding performances in the 400 meters, gymnastics, boxing, and other events. It is worth mentioning the globally viral "shy face-covering run" robot, which topped social media trending lists worldwide for its unique posture. This running style was not deliberately mimicked or designed by humans; rather, it was the optimal solution the robot autonomously evolved through data iteration in a virtual simulation environment.

The World Robot Conference held in Yizhuang also drew significant attention. This year’s conference unveiled 44 new technologies and solutions, attracting 557,000 attendees and inviting over 10,000 foreign guests to view the exhibition. The exhibition area exceeded 60,000 square meters, with 373 participating companies, a substantial year-on-year increase of 69%. In this feast of steel and code, over 3,000 exhibits were displayed, and an unprecedented 311 new products made their debut, setting records for the largest scale and the most new product launches in the conference's history. The topic garnered 730 million views on short video platforms, up 62% from the previous session.

Red-hot.

That was the visceral feeling surrounding the robotics industry at the end of August.

The 2026 Humanoid Robot Industry Development Report noted that in the first half of the year, China's humanoid robot shipments exceeded 40,000 units, capturing an astonishing 97% global market share.

Amidst these boiling statistics and social media revelry, it is easy to succumb to the illusion that we have already stepped half a foot into a new era of universal robot popularisation. However, when the tide of traffic gradually recedes, beyond recognising the rapid development of the robotics industry, we also need to have a more sober understanding and reflection on the hopes we pin on it: China's robotics industry is striving to move past mere flashy demonstrations and accelerating toward real production and daily life scenarios. But when will we truly be able to bring robots into our everyday lives?

From Leg-Focused Flash to Hand-Focused Precision

At robotics exhibitions over the past few years, companies were most eager to show off the capabilities of their robots’ lower limbs: backflips, resisting kicks, and parkour. These highly visually impactful actions were the "hard currency" for attracting venture capital. At this year’s conference, while combat and boxing remained popular crowd-pullers, the narrative logic of core companies has shifted; "operational metrics" have become the new standard of competition. Industry media even dubbed 2026 as the "Year One of Embodied Intelligence Tactile Sensation." In this inaugural year, electronic skin and tactile sensors debuted on a massive scale, and the speed of cost reduction in the supply chain was even more shocking. Tactile sensors, which once relied heavily on imports and sold for over 100,000 RMB (or 15,000 USD) per unit, now have a starting price of just 199 RMB (or 30 USD) for domestically produced alternatives. This cliff-like drop in hardware costs has made it possible to endow robots with "human-level touch."

Simultaneously, the operational capabilities of robots in real-world scenarios are being quantified. Xiaomi’s new generation of humanoid robots has quietly begun an "internship" at an actual part-loading station in Xiaomi's car factory. Data shows its success rate in bilateral operations has reached 98%, just 1 percentage point shy of a skilled human worker. Galbot's home service demonstration was equally impressive; when faced with interference deliberately created by staff moving items randomly on site, the robot could adjust dynamically in real-time by re-perceiving its environment, without relying on a pre-set script. In the logistics sector, Robotera's logistics sorting robot has achieved a practical sorting efficiency of 1,200 pieces per hour and has partnered with giants like China Post and SF Express to realise regular operation in over a dozen logistics centres across five provinces.

An official from the industry department of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area stated that as the focus of the embodied intelligence robotics industry shifts from technological breakthroughs to large-scale applications, Beijing Yizhuang will accelerate the construction of a national innovation hub for the embodied intelligence industry.

The invisible bottleneck

Although China's robotics industry is developing rapidly, industry leaders remain clear-eyed about the current challenges. Zhao Tongyang, founder of EngineAI, highlighted a cruel reality at the conference: in industrial and commercial scenarios, a 99% task success rate is still far from sufficient; it must be raised to 99.99%.

If hardware precision can be compensated for over time through supply chain iteration, then the true Achilles' heel restricting embodied intelligence from reaching its "ChatGPT moment" is invisible: "data." Zhao Qinping, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, along with several experts, clearly pointed out that the current "chokepoint" problem facing embodied intelligence technology, while existing at the model level, is a far deeper crisis concerning data.

Experts state that the core pain point hindering the continuous iteration of model systems is a severe scarcity of high-quality, real-world physical data. In virtual simulation software, the deformation process of objects, complex tactile feedback, and unpredictable environmental disturbances are extremely difficult to replicate with complete fidelity. Without a massive amount of high-quality data from the real physical world to support it, virtual simulation can never truly approximate reality, leading to a massive "reality gap" between simulation training and physical deployment.

Even more headache-inducing for companies is the severe lack of cross-platform data standards and reusability. Xie Shaofeng, Chairman of the OpenAtom Foundation and Chairman of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Humanoid Robot and Embodied Intelligence Standardisation Technical Committee, noted that robots currently on the market operate in silos regarding sensor configurations, action space dimensions, task definition methods, and data structures. Consequently, the data collected by companies at a high cost is often limited to a single model of equipment and a single type of task. The entire industry is engaging in duplicated collection, duplicated labelling, and duplicated adaptation, causing massive resource waste.

It is precisely this industry-wide thirst for high-quality physical data that has birthed an entirely new business model. At this year’s conference, for the first time, data shed its status as an internal means of production and debuted en masse as a "commodity." According to a report by the Financial Times, at least 90 data collection and training centres for humanoid robots are currently in operation or under construction in China. Capital flows confirm this trend: the collection, cleaning, open-sourcing, and evaluation of data are being stripped from the internal processes of complete machine enterprises and turning into an independent business. For the first time in the industry chain, a specialised "data mining segment" has emerged.

Panning for technology gold

Today, the shakeup of the robotics industry has quietly begun. According to statistics, approximately 38 companies in the robotics industry chain are sprinting toward IPOs on the A-share STAR Market and ChiNext board. Yet, simultaneously, the clearing out of tail-end enterprises is also occurring; the significant drop in exhibition and rental prices is a clear signal that the market is returning to rationality. In such a phase where heat and cold coexist, it is easy for unrealistic bubbles to form, but it is also the easiest time to sift out the true gold that can withstand the test.

The development of China's robotics industry has transitioned from technological "exhibits" to market "commodities," and from isolated breakthroughs to a new stage of systematic advancement. Policy support, a manufacturing foundation, and a complete industrial chain are collectively driving technological iteration. According to Counterpoint's latest statistics, Agibot and Unitree together account for about 75% of global shipments, having already secured an international first-mover advantage. I have also interacted with robotics companies like UBTECH and Galaxea AI, and their products left a deep impression on me. From an international horizontal perspective, China's robotics industry is booming; however, from a vertical development perspective, it still requires calm, rational observation and continued technological breakthroughs.

From the "manual remote control" on that Hangzhou rooftop a year ago to the "autonomous operations" striving to break the 99% success rate on today’s exhibition stands, China's robotics industry is entering a sober phase after the initial excitement, returning to the most hardcore technological breakthrough stage of manufacturing. Before the true "ChatGPT moment" for embodied intelligence arrives, the Chinese robotics industry will inevitably undergo brutal technological and commercial trials. And who has the last laugh will be closely tied to the sprint in these crucial next few years.

Du Yubin is a CGTN journalist, producer, and chief editor. Having been stationed in Washington, D.C., and London for six years, he focuses on Sino-US and Sino-European relations, with over 16 years of experience in international communication and new media. This article solely represents the author's personal views.

The symbolic ceremony took place on Thursday at the Pushkin Library in Moscow, where blogger Robert and ballerina Matilda exchanged vows and fastened bracelets instead of traditional wedding rings.

The bride also performed a wedding dance as part of the celebration.

According to organisers, the event was designed to highlight how humanoid robots and automation could become part of everyday life.

"We can make our society better and more automated, and shape a post-industrial society where people can live in harmony, leaving more time for art, creativity, and harmony. Robots, in fact, help with automation and free people from routine labor," said IT Imperial Deputy CEO Anna Bagdasaryan.

She added that IT Imperial develops robots with open systems, allowing users to create and programme their own behavioural algorithms.

The company's press office said the ceremony was organised to mark Family, Love and Fidelity Day.

As part of the event, IT Imperial donated books on robotics, artificial intelligence and automation to the Pushkin Library, saying the goal was to help readers better understand modern technologies.

Developers said the climb was designed to test the robot’s balance, mobility and communication systems in challenging environments. While it was not able to complete the entire ascent on its own, the team described the mission as a key step towards more ambitious goals, including future climbs on Mount Everest and potential applications in space exploration . The project could also support the use of humanoid robots in rescue operations, scientific research and environmental monitoring in remote areas.

Unlike the previous year, where robot designs varied widely, most teams in 2026 used standardised platforms such as Unitree, Tien Kung, or models linked to Huawei’s spin-off Honor. The competition focused mainly on software development and optimisation algorithms.

Honor robots led the race. One model crossed the finish line first with operator support, while another fully autonomous Honor robot recorded the fastest independent time of 50 minutes and 26 seconds.

That time was faster than the human world record holder, Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo, who completed the same distance in about 57 minutes in March at the Lisbon road race.

The performance marked a notable improvement from the inaugural race in 2025, when the winning robot finished in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds.

“In our training, we emulated top human runners,” said Du Xiaodi, an engineer at Honor.

The second and third place positions in the autonomous category were also secured by Honor robots.

International teams from Germany, France, Portugal and Brazil took part in the event.

AGIBOT said the event was designed to demonstrate major progress in “embodied intelligence” — a field focused on giving robots physical abilities combined with perception, decision-making and social interaction.

According to the company, the performance highlighted the reliability of its full product ecosystem. It signalled a shift from experimental laboratory models to systems capable of operating at an industrial scale in real-world environments.

Here are five things you need to know about this groundbreaking project:

1. It is pursuing a degree in stage performance

Xueba 01 isn’t studying robotics, it’s enrolled in a PhD programme at STA’s Department of Stage Design, where it will learn the fundamental movements, routines, and performance techniques of traditional Chinese operas. 

2. A collaboration between art and technology

The program is jointly run by STA and the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST). While USST focuses on technical training and knowledge, STA cultivates artistic expression. The goal is to create experimental training methods for embodied AI agents that combine human creativity with machine intelligence, Xinhua reports.

3. Built with cutting-edge robotics

Xueba 01 is an optimised version of Xingzhe No. 2, a humanoid that once placed third in Beijing’s robot half-marathon. It uses a tendon-based bionic structure and advanced facial technology, capable of performing over 100 lifelike expressions and interacting with audiences in real time.

4. Already learning opera

Currently, the robot can “sing” segments from Henan Opera, Shanghai Opera, and Peking Opera. But its movements still lack smoothness and artistry. Supervisors use motion capture to record human performers’ gestures and expressions, creating training datasets to refine their performances. In the future, authorities say it may learn directly from video footage.

5. Exploring the future of art and AI

For its supervisors, the project isn’t just about creating a high-performing robot, it’s about redefining how art and AI intersect. STA President Huang Changyong says the mission is to explore how traditional Chinese art forms can integrate with artificial intelligence.

Germany, Italy, and emerging players like China and Denmark are all gaining ground, reflecting sweeping changes in manufacturing, global supply chains, and trade policies .

According to World’s Top Exports , industrial robot exports in 2024 involved a global value of about US$6 billion, with the top five exporters (Japan, Germany, China, Italy, and Denmark) accounting for over 54.8% of the total.

Japan led the list with 21.4%, followed by Germany (10.7%), China (9.6%), and Italy & Denmark each with 6.5%. Back in 2016, however, Japan’s dominance was stronger (36%), with Germany at 14.2% and China further down (3.4%), among others.

China’s rise is particularly striking. Recent data show that China’s industrial robot exports jumped by more than 60% in the first half of 2025, driven by production shifts to Vietnam, Mexico, and other parts of Southeast Asia that once might have remained within China’s borders.

Despite this growth, market concentration remains high, with Japan, Germany, China, Italy, and Denmark still accounting for over half of global export value.

Meanwhile, the declining share of traditional leaders such as Japan and Germany points to a reshaping of where and how robots are made. Competition, cost pressures, regional trade policies, labour costs, and the accelerating pace of automation are rewriting the global map of production.

Several forces are driving these changes. Companies are reconfiguring supply chains, shifting manufacturing closer to demand or to lower-cost regions, which has boosted China’s exports to its neighbours. Trade policies and tariffs are also pushing exporters to diversify their markets, as global tensions over technology transfer and industrial policy grow.

At the same time, demand for automation is booming, particularly in Asia. According to Our World in Data and the International Federation of Robotics, the region accounted for roughly 70% of new industrial robot installations in 2023, far surpassing Europe and the Americas.

Countries that once relied almost entirely on imports are increasingly producing their own robotics hardware or sourcing from nearby exporters to cut costs and shorten shipping times.

Luo Changsheng, a member of the Tsinghua University Robot Football Team, explained their approach to programming the robots.

"We adopted a method combining imitation learning and reinforcement learning. Specifically, we first use imitation learning to show human actions to the robot, then let the robot iterate thousands or even tens of thousands of times in a simulation environment ," Changsheng told AFP in an interview.

"This allows it to independently learn the essence of human movements, ultimately enabling it to dribble like a human and shoot the ball like a human," he added.

The student also expressed confidence in China's ability to produce top-notch robots, but admitted that there remain areas to improve on, especially in other sports.

“I believe China’s humanoid robot hardware is among the most advanced in the world, both in terms of industrial development and humanoid robot design. However, we still need to catch up in certain areas of control algorithms, such as enabling robots to play badminton or table tennis.”

The tech upgrades come as Hangzhou sees a significant increase in border traffic. “In the first half of 2025, we handled over 2.55 million border crossings, a 12.3 percent year-on-year increase,” said officer Liu Jiani. “Of those, foreign entries accounted for 206,000, up 33.5 percent year on year,” she told Viory.

To further ease congestion and enhance digital convenience, smart kiosks for foreign entry cards were introduced in January. These machines allow travellers to submit declarations via QR codes or mobile mini-programs and currently support seven languages, English, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, and Arabic.

As of mid-July, more than 86,000 passengers have already used the self-service kiosks.

The event, held as part of the RoBoLeague, saw teams from Tsinghua University’s THU Robotics team and Beijing Information Science and Technology University’s Blaze team go head-to-head, with the humanoid robots playing the entire game independently.

The championship title was claimed by the THU Robotics team, with China Agricultural University’s Mountain Sea team finishing in second place. The Blaze team from Beijing Information Science and Technology University and the Power team from the Future Laboratory, Tsinghua University, shared third place.

The competition has quickly gained traction among fans, attracting robotics enthusiasts eager to witness the cutting-edge integration of artificial intelligence with sports. The event’s unique blend of AI technology and athletic competition has captivated both tech aficionados and sports lovers alike.

Bian Yuansong, chairman of Shangyicheng Group, the event’s organiser, emphasised that RoBoLeague serves as a testing ground for pioneering technologies like bipedal dynamic balancing and multi-agent collaborative decision-making. “The event not only provides crucial technical validation for the football segment of future humanoid robot games, but also lays a solid foundation for enhancing the sensitivity and capabilities of embodied robots,” Bian explained to the People’s Daily Online .

Beyond the competition, Bian revealed that the technologies showcased during RoBoLeague will soon have real-world applications, potentially benefiting industrial production and daily life. Shangyicheng Group plans to expand the competition format, introducing new robot challenges like a half-marathon, to further promote the development and practical use of humanoid robotics in diverse scenarios.

Ecuador's election crisis: Gonzalez to contest results amid fraud allegations

Ecuador's leftist presidential challenger, Luisa Gonzalez, plans to contest the election results, alleging widespread fraud. Meanwhile, incumbent President Daniel Noboa secured a decisive win with 55.62% of the vote to Gonzalez's 44.38%. Independent observers affirmed the election was fair and transparent. Read more here .

Mexico confirms first human case of screwworm myiasis

Mexico's Health Ministry confirmed the country's first human case of screwworm-induced myiasis in a 77-year-old woman from Acacoyagua, Chiapas. She is stable and receiving antibiotics. Myiasis is a parasitic infection caused by fly larvae infesting open wounds. Read more here .

Colombia's Petro pauses FARC offensive to progress in peace talks

Colombian President Gustavo Petro on Friday, April 18, ordered a halt to military operations against a FARC-EP faction to advance peace talks. The move follows the expiration of a ceasefire and will last until May 18. The decree aims to ensure safety along transit routes and support local agriculture. Read more here .

Asia

Robots join thousands of runners in Beijing’s futuristic half marathon

On April 19, dozens of humanoid robots joined human runners in a half marathon in Beijing’s E-Town, a tech hub. The 21-km event tested bipedal robots in real-world conditions, with some running autonomously and others remotely controlled. Spectators captured the moment on their phones. Read more here .

Pakistani Christian man to appeal death sentence for blasphemy

A Christian man sentenced to death for blasphemy in Jaranwala, Pakistan, will appeal the verdict, his lawyer said Saturday. The 36-year-old was accused of desecrating the Koran, sparking 2023 attacks on a Christian neighbourhood. His lawyer confirmed plans to challenge the ruling in the High Court. Read more here .

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A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border on Saturday, April 19, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). It occurred at a depth of 92 km (57 miles). Read more here .

Africa

Death toll in Nigeria attacks by herders rises to 56

The death toll from suspected herder attacks in Benue State, Nigeria, has been increased to 56, Governor Hyacinth Alia said Saturday during a visit to the affected areas. Police had earlier reported 17 deaths. The long-running violence has disrupted food supplies from the key agricultural region. Read more here .

Uganda plans law to allow military prosecution of civilians

Uganda plans to introduce a law allowing military tribunals to try civilians, despite a Supreme Court ban in January. Critics accuse the government of using military courts for politically motivated prosecutions, which it denies. The law could see opposition figure Kizza Besigye returned to a military court. Read more here .

South Africa reaffirms 'One China' policy, instructs Taiwan to relocate office

South Africa has asked Taiwan to move its liaison office from Pretoria to Johannesburg to reaffirm its commitment to the “One China” policy. Minister Ronald Lamola said the move doesn’t change Taiwan’s diplomatic status, as formal ties ended in 1997 when South Africa recognised the PRC. Read more here .

The event aimed to evaluate the capabilities of bipedal robots under real-world conditions . While human runners stayed on one side of the road, many took out their mobile phones to film the robots pacing towards the finish line. Some robots ran autonomously, while others were operated remotely by engineers.

According to engineers who spoke with AFP, the primary objective was not to compete for speed but to assess the robots' performance, stability, and reliability.

“The main purpose of doing this is to prepare for the industrialisation in the future or the near future, because when we land in factories, businesses or life scenes, we expect this robot to work continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and without failure… Our marathon is actually an extreme test of reliability and stability. Next time, I think you will see it more perfect,” one engineer told AFP.

The event featured around 20 teams from across China. Participating robots ranged in height from 75 to 180 centimetres (2.46 to 5.9 feet) and weighed up to 88 kilograms (194 pounds).

The lead researcher, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ronnapee Chaichaowarat, says the goal is to help people with disabilities move more easily, especially in places where wheelchairs are difficult to use, like stairs or public transport.

The wheelchair was built by a Thai team and is the first of its kind in the country. Some call it "Thai Iron Man" because of its advanced technology.

The wheelchair is designed with a lightweight carbon fibre frame and has foldable wheels.

It can switch between sitting and walking modes using a motorised system that moves the hip and knee joints. The ankle joint remains flexible to help with balance.

The first prototype cost 130,000 baht (about $3,866.80) to build and was funded by research grants.

The team believes demand for such technology will grow as Thailand’s population ages. They are now working on a second version with better stability for standing and walking. Before it can be widely used, clinical trials will be done with patients.

If successful, this invention could change mobility support in Thailand and even make the country a leader in robotic technology.

In this article, we explore the top 10 countries leading the charge with the highest density of robot workers in manufacturing.

South Korea : South Korea stands at the forefront with an impressive robot density of 1,012 units per 10,000 employees. The country's robust electronics and automotive industries heavily rely on automation, driving this high density.

Singapore : Singapore follows closely with 730 robots per 10,000 employees. Known for its advanced technological infrastructure, Singapore's manufacturing sector, particularly in electronics and precision engineering, is highly automated.

Germany : Germany, with 415 robots per 10,000 employees, is a leader in Europe. The country's strong automotive sector, along with its engineering prowess, drives its high robot density.

Japan : Japan, a pioneer in robotics, boasts a density of 397 robots per 10,000 employees. The country's automotive and electronics industries are major contributors to this high level of automation.

China : China ranks fifth with a robot density of 322 units per 10,000 employees. The rapid industrialization and significant investments in automation technologies have propelled China into the top ranks.

Sweden : Sweden, with its advanced manufacturing sector, has a robot density of 289 units per 10,000 employees.

Hong Kong : Hong Kong, with a density of 242 robots per 10,000 employees, leverages its strategic position as a global trade hub to integrate advanced automation in its manufacturing processes.

Switzerland : Switzerland, known for its high-tech manufacturing, has a robot density of 246 units per 10,000 employees. The country's emphasis on automation in various industries, including pharmaceuticals and food processing, is notable.

Taiwan : Taiwan, has a robot density of 234 units per 10,000 employees. The island's strong electronics and semiconductor industries are key drivers of this automation.

United States : The United States rounds out the top ten with a robot density of 228 units per 10,000 employees. The country's diverse manufacturing sector, including automotive, aerospace, and electronics, heavily utilises robotics to maintain competitiveness.

As a final-year aerospace engineering student at the Airforce Institute of Technology in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria, Shamsuddeen is determined to go beyond creating drones for the sake of it. His vision is to develop technology that addresses real-world problems within his community. "Looking at the food insecurity we are facing in Nigeria as well as in Africa, we needed to ensure that we bring solutions in that sector," he said.

Where passion meets practicality

Recognising the critical role agriculture plays in Nigeria’s economy, Shamsuddeen focused on creating drones that could help farmers enhance productivity while also reducing health risks. In Nigeria, where 26.5 million people were projected to face acute hunger during the June-August 2024 lean season, agricultural solutions have become more urgent. The World Food Programme reported that the food insecurity crisis in Nigeria is exacerbated by factors like conflict, inflation, and the impact of climate change.

Shamsuddeen saw an opportunity to automate farming processes, particularly the manual spraying of crops, which often exposes farmers to harmful chemicals. "If you look at the way they do their local way of spraying in the farm, it leads them to inhale some chemicals… Even though they are masked up, they still inhale it," he explained. The goal of Vora Robotics is to create drones that can safely and efficiently perform such tasks, reducing health risks and increasing agricultural efficiency.

The birth of Vora Robotics

Operating primarily in Kaduna and Abuja, Vora Robotics was co-founded a year ago by Shamsuddeen and four others. Shamsuddeen serves as the Chief Technical Officer, overseeing the company’s technological development.

Isayaku Musa, the Chief Operating Officer, shared insights on the company’s early challenges and growth trajectory. With a seed fund of 3 million Naira (approximately $1,920), Vora Robotics has been developing its products while employing a team of 10 workers.

"We want to perfect our product before entering the market," Musa said, emphasising that the company is still in its research and development phase.

However, logistical challenges, especially the need to import materials not readily available in Nigeria, have proven to be obstacles. "More than 60% of our requirements to develop this drone are locally sourced, but there are a lot of things we cannot get here, particularly in Kaduna State. We have to import it from somewhere far, sometimes even outside the country," Musa added.

Building a sustainable tech startup

Despite these hurdles, Vora Robotics remains committed to long-term growth and positive community impact. One of their key objectives is to create 1,000 jobs for Nigerians within the next five years. To achieve this, Musa called on the Nigerian government to support startups like Vora Robotics that are working to drive change and address critical challenges in the nation.

Watch the full interview:

The event showcased a variety of robots performing tasks from calligraphy to football.

Zhao Xin, who brought her son to the conference, told AFP, "I don't think we need to be worried... They (robots) must be controlled and built by humans." 

"I think the ability of these robots to solve problems is getting stronger and stronger. The controls and movements are also smoother," another attendee said.

According to Makerlabs Edutech , the technology is powered by an Intel chipset, and has an in-built voice assistant, and an Android app interface that allows Iris to navigate through lessons easily, offering personalised interactions tailored to each student's unique needs and preferences. It is also equipped with wheels to enable it to move around easily and is designed to solve complex questions, as well as to understand and speak different languages, including English, Hindi, and Malayalam.

In a video posted on Instagram by its developers, Iris was seen interacting with students, ensuring every student feels seen and heard.

In a post on LinkedIn, the Vice President of Operations and Sales Hari Sagar at Makerlabs Edutech explained that Iris was developed to revolutionise education by harnessing the power of AI to create a truly personalised learning experience and by adapting to each student's needs and preferences, empower educators to deliver engaging and effective lessons like never before.

Iris also monitors and blocks inappropriate content like drugs and violence ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for all.

The distinctive tech enthusiasts, Mawuli and Thomas led their school to the crowning point of the competition as they emerged as 1 st runner-up of the Robotics Competition (AIRTAD), an annual competition held on February 28 in Accra between schools both at the junior and senior high school levels.

The journey began with a shared desire to bridge the gap between deaf students and conventional educational materials. Recognising the struggles faced by their peers in connecting elements to atomic numbers, Mawuli and Thomas spearheaded a project to create a smart periodic table of elements.

Their "Smart Periodic Table" project is a fusion of education, sustainability, and technology . Crafted from wood and powered by batteries, it serves the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 9, promoting inclusive and quality education as well as innovation.

With its connected wires, users can easily put the metal tip of the wire on an atomic number and the board will generate information about its element, likewise metals, metalloids and non-metals.

Mawuli who has a hearing challenge told GSW in a conversation mediated by an interpreter trained in Ghanaian Sign Language (GSL) that coming second in the competition was a great feat for them.

“When you look at where we come from and where we are now, it is sometimes difficult to believe the changes in our life. Today we have the opportunity to learn information technology, science and robotics at no cost to us. This makes me feel that my future is secured and I can contribute to the betterment of society ,” she said.

Mawuli was not born as a hearing impaired. According to the 17-year-old, she was informed by her father as she grew older that she became deaf after being sent to the hospital for an unknown illness.

Unlike Mawuli, Thomas who was born with a hearing impairment also told GSW that he has benefitted from the programme immensely and has enabled him to build a robot by himself through his lab visits.

“The deaf students were having a challenge connecting the elements to their atomic numbers. So it led to their lack of interest in the subjects and they thought of really, I mean, developing something that will help them to learn about the elements and atomic numbers,” Thomas told GSW the inspiration behind their project.

To inspire others in similar circumstances to persevere and find hope in robotics engineering, Mawuli aspires to become a mentor. However, Thomas is interested in learning more about programming and computers so that he can operate robots.

The Annual Impact Roundtable and Discussion and Robotics Competition (AIRTAD) is organized by Implementers under the Yamoransa Model Labs programme. The project was established in 2018 with the vision to make STEAM education accessible and easier for Ghanaian youth in underserved communities by building modern science, ICT, and engineering labs in the country. In 2023 alone, over 35,000 children had access to the programme across the West African nation.

14-year-old programmer and member of the robotics team Tanatswa Taremba said that the rationale behind the creation of the automated combine harvester was to solve the back pain problems that combine harvester drivers experience.

“Right now, since robotics is there, we are replacing the driver because drivers often suffer from back aches due to incorrect driving posture… Now, with an automated combine harvester, it will be easy since it can work overnight,” he said.

The students also created prototypes for two other innovative projects including a robot that can clear landmines and a lawnmower that requires little human interaction.

Darryl Mubvuma, the 15-year-old behind the robotic landmine detector said that he was motivated to build the machine after deaths caused by landmines in his neighbourhood.

“I just thought that many people are dying from demining processes, and building a robot for that would be very efficient. It has a claw, it is going to have a sensor and is designed to detect landmines,” he said.

The team is presently working on creating a robot that can make biodegradable plastic that can decompose in less than five years, according to The Herald.