Robotics industry advances through commercialization in China and research in Vietnam

The robotics industry is seeing significant advancements in both commercial application and academic research across Asia. At the World Robot Conference 2026 in Beijing, the focus has shifted toward the commercialization of humanoid robots. Over 150 new products were showcased by more than 300 enterprises, highlighting the transition of these machines from demonstrations to practical use in factories and warehouses. Companies like Leju and Robotera are already deploying robots for logistics and sorting, while DexForce utilizes them for high-precision mobile phone assembly.

The economic impact is evident as Unitree's stock surged nearly sixfold during its Shanghai debut. The event also drew attention from Nvidia executives, signaling the importance of AI software platforms in the robotics ecosystem.

In Vietnam, Nam Can Tho University has launched the Institute of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (DNC-IRAI). The institute aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and market application, with a goal of achieving 60% autonomy in robot manufacturing technology by 2029. The initiative focuses on developing humanoid robots integrated with Vietnamese-language AI to address practical challenges in the Mekong Delta region.