Chinese firms showcase robots’ potential in aviation, security and military applications at 2026 WRC

Alongside civilian robot makers such as Unitree, UBTECH and AgiBot, several Chinese companies at the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing are exploring the potential use of humanoid and quadruped robots in security and military-related fields.

The applications on display at the five-day event, which runs from Wednesday to Sunday, range from patrolling industrial sites and restraining suspects to piloting older aircraft and loading missiles onto planes.

At one corner of the conference, staff from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) told the Global Times that the company is developing a humanoid robot for intelligent aviation manufacturing, aircraft missile loading and aircraft operation.

Standing about 1.8 meters tall and weighing 80 kilograms, the robot was displayed at the AVIC booth. According to staff, two or three such robots could complete a missile-loading task that would normally require four to six workers.

To increase its load-bearing capacity, the robot's legs incorporate compact motors derived from aero-engine technology, the staff said.

Documents provided by AVIC show that the robot, which has been in development since 2024, is designed for typical aviation scenarios, including intelligent manufacturing, ground maintenance and support, and cross-domain air-ground operations.