Science & Tech · AI · 1 hr ago
Robotics competitions in Hangzhou to feature embodied AI challenges
Two robotics competitions will take place together in Hangzhou, in China’s Zhejiang province, from October 16 to 18.
The events will include 22 tracks, 60 contests and three separate contests run by companies.
A key focus is embodied intelligence, where robots use sensing, movement and handling skills to understand tasks and respond to changes in real settings.
This differs from simply performing a fixed action programmed in advance.
The events will cover areas such as sorting, air-and-ground coordination, badminton and skilled object handling.
Organizers say about 2,000 teams and nearly 5,000 competitors will take part in tests using real robots in realistic settings.
The aim is to connect promising projects with companies and practical uses, with some projects eligible for further testing and support to reach industry.
The inaugural Global Embodied Intelligence Application Innovation Challenge and 2026 China Robotics Competition will be held in Hangzhou from October 16 to 18.
The events will run at the same time for the first time, with 22 tracks, 60 events and three separate corporate events.
The China Robotics Competition will include 17 embodied intelligence events focused on applications such as flexible sorting, air-ground coordination, badminton and dexterous operation.
About 2,000 teams and nearly 5,000 contestants are expected to compete in real-robot, real-world challenges.
Organizers say the competition will connect promising projects with companies and application settings, and offer eligible projects pilot testing and support for commercial development.
- Who
- The inaugural Global Embodied Intelligence Application Innovation Challenge and the 2026 China Robotics Competition.
- What
- The events will be held together, featuring embodied intelligence challenges among 22 tracks and 60 events.
- When
- October 16 to 18, 2026.
- Where
- Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Why
- The competitions aim to provide a platform spanning technology research, engineering validation and real-world applications.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Organizers announced the competition details at a media briefing in Hangzhou.
The two competitions are scheduled to take place in Hangzhou.
- Competition dates
- October 16–18, 2026
- Location
- Hangzhou, Zhejiang
- Tracks
- 22
- Events
- 60, plus three separate corporate events
- Embodied intelligence events
- 17
- Expected participation
- 2,000 teams and nearly 5,000 contestants
What people are saying
Embodied intelligence is an important innovative direction of this competition; it is not about having a robot perform a single preset action, but requires the robot to use its own perception, movement and operating capabilities to understand tasks, identify changes, make judgments and continuously complete actions in a real environment, forming a complete loop of perception, understanding, decision-making, execution and feedback.
Sources
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