Challenges for Embodied AI Come Into Focus at 2026 World Robot Conference

The World Robot Conference (WRC) was held in Beijing in August 2026, with many embodied AI robotics companies exhibiting. Industry insiders said challenges remain before humanoid robots can be widely deployed in practical applications.

For businesses deciding whether to deploy robots in factories and warehouses, the key point is that humanoid robots must be cost-effective and operate reliably—not just deliver flashy demonstrations at trade shows. The source says that robots already in widespread use are mainly specialized machines for relatively controlled manufacturing and logistics environments, while humanoids remain at the proof-of-concept stage. In addition to high prices, they face challenges such as unstable operation when lighting changes, objects are stacked, or they move through narrow aisles.