I spent a day at a robot “carnival” in Shanghai. Here’s what I saw.
2026-08-26 · MIT Technology Review
A Day at Shanghai’s Robot Carnival
A public “robot carnival” held at an R&D center on the outskirts of Shanghai drew large holiday crowds, especially families with children. The event offered close-up access to many kinds of robots, turning a normally industrial setting into a hands-on public showcase.
The Bigger Context: China’s Embodied AI Push
The report places the event within China’s broader strategy to bring AI into everyday life. A key concept is embodied AI—embedding intelligence into physical systems. This has been highlighted in China’s latest five-year plan.
China is also described as a global leader in humanoid production. According to the article, nearly 90% of the more than 13,000 two-armed, two-legged robots delivered worldwide last year were made in China.
The Robotics Hub Behind the Event
The host site includes more than 100 companies involved in:
- robotics research and development,
- manufacturing,
- commercialization and marketing.
Many of these firms build specialized robots for practical use cases, such as:
- transporting heavy loads,
- inspecting sewage pipes.
So while the carnival felt festive, it was rooted in a serious industrial ecosystem.
What Visitors Saw
On this day, the focus was less on factory deployment and more on public engagement. Demonstrations included:
- Mini robotic dog sales and stunts: one 11-year-old proudly showed off a newly bought robot dog attempting tricks like handstands.
- Quadruped training sessions: staff taught young attendees how to make four-legged robots climb stairs.
- Robot battle show: two remote-controlled robots fired water beads in a temporary ring, ending in a declared draw.
- Task demos: DexForce presented a model that can make coffee, while nearby robotic arms attempted to fold a basket of T-shirts.
Why Public Exposure Matters
The article argues that these showcases are important because they let ordinary people experience robots directly. That matters especially for humanoids, whose progress has often been slower elsewhere due to:
- safety concerns tied to heavy bodies and bipedal balance,
- high prices,
- short battery life,
- ongoing debate over whether a human form is even optimal.
Despite those concerns, Chinese firms continue to push forward and publicly display new models. Similar performances are appearing in malls and tourist sites in other cities, and Beijing has even seen bipedal robots running half-marathons.
Audience Reaction: Strong Enthusiasm
At the main tent, one humanoid in a flashy top performed drunken boxing while another did a front flip. A lineup of small robotic lions waited nearby for their turn.
The crowd responded with loud applause and repeated chants of “More, more, more.”
The scene suggests that, at least in this Shanghai weekend setting, China’s robotics PR and public demonstration strategy is successfully building curiosity and acceptance around humanoid robots.