The media briefing for the 2026 Global Developer Pioneer Conference and International Embodied Intelligence Skills Competition took place on September 29 at the Zhangjiang Modility Community. The event focused on the application of embodied intelligence technology in real-world scenarios. The conference aims to promote the large-scale implementation of embodied intelligence technology in industries such as manufacturing, services, and special operations through simulated competitions, online simulations, and real-world competitions. The event attracted wide participation from government agencies, enterprise representatives, and developer communities, and the main competition is planned to be held from October 23 to 25 at the Zhangjiang Science Hall in Shanghai.
Professor Shi Qing's team from Beijing Institute of Technology was inspired by the high-speed running mechanism of the elephant shrew. They designed a micro quadruped robot named FLEXOR equipped with a dual-joint coupled spine. Through dynamic spine-leg coordination, the robot achieved a 31.6% increase in speed and a 32.2% reduction in energy consumption without upgrading its motors. The study reveals the critical role of the timing coordination between the spine and legs in locomotion performance and verifies the universality of this mechanism across different robot morphologies, providing new insights for highly mobile embodied intelligent robots.
The article analyzes China's leading position in the field of humanoid robot patents, noting that as of the first half of 2026, China holds 60.8% of relevant patents, significantly surpassing the United States and South Korea. The article examines the evolution of patent strategies, the trend of technological shift from hardware to software, and the progress made by Chinese companies in patent quality, application scenarios, and global layout. It also points out that patent quantity does not equate to comprehensive technological leadership, emphasizing the challenges of manufacturing costs and quality, as well as the dual role of patents in industrial competition.
Editorial context：The article presents a comprehensive analysis of China's growing dominance in humanoid robot patents, highlighting the shift from hardware to software innovation and the implications for global competition. It underscores the importance of patent strategy in shaping the future of the industry, while also acknowledging the challenges in translating patent strength into commercial success.
Anhui province's government released a policy to promote the high-quality development of the robot industry, setting two-phase targets for 2030 and 2035. The article analyzes the production capacity, industry structure, and policy support for human-shaped robots in Anhui, while also addressing challenges such as market delivery, insurance, and the gap between production and commercialization.