Intelligent Robots and Drones Demonstrated at 2026 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei

The 2026 World Manufacturing Convention (WMC) opened in Hefei, Anhui Province, showcasing intelligent robotic and drone technologies targeted at improving safety and efficiency in industrial settings. Attended by representatives from over 50 countries, the event highlighted innovations relevant to new energy vehicles, AI, quantum technology, and biomanufacturing.

Six-Legged Robots Enhance Inspection in High-Risk Environments

Among the exhibits were several six-legged inspection robots designed for challenging industrial conditions. One hexapod robot featured suction cups on each leg, enabling navigation through confined spaces such as pipelines within power plants and substations. Its configuration ensures continuous contact with surfaces, providing the stability necessary to traverse vertical walls and inverted ceilings.

Another exhibited robot, coloured bright yellow for visibility in hazardous power environments, was equipped with LiDAR sensors, cameras, and infrared detectors. Weighing just 2.5 kilograms, this robot integrates 5G connectivity and quantum-encrypted communication to interface with the Guangming Power Large Model AI system from the State Grid Corporation of China. This enables rapid data transmission and supports real-time decision-making for anomaly detection involving sounds, gases, or liquids.

According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s industrial robot exports surpassed imports for the first time in 2025, reaching an export value of 6.29 billion yuan (approximately $939.1 million) in the first half of the year. The robotics products were shipped to 141 countries and regions, with an export increase of 18.6% compared to previous periods.

Drones Expand Industrial Inspection and Logistics Capabilities

In addition to ground robots, drones demonstrated advanced functionality in industrial power inspections. A power inspection drone incorporated both visual and thermal imaging capabilities, allowing it to identify equipment risks such as overheating. During a demonstration, thermal imaging flagged a transformer hotspot exceeding 98 degrees Celsius, necessitating further human inspection.

The thermal imaging system has been deployed in Anhui Province, covering 210,000 kilometres of distribution lines and analysing over 50 million inspection images. The system reportedly achieves fault detection accuracy above 94% and has reduced the manual inspection workload by 80%. Its use has contributed to lowering fault-related outages across the province’s power grid by more than 58%.

Another drone shown was an electric logistics model designed to transport cargo up to 50 kilograms. The drone combines a five-metre fixed wing with six rotor blade groups, enabling vertical take-off and landing without a runway. It can fly at speeds up to 120 kilometres per hour with a maximum range of 150 kilometres, making it suitable for geological surveys, security patrols, emergency medical supply delivery, and logistics.

Implications for Industrial Operations and Supply Chains

The integration of multi-legged robots and AI-equipped drones promises to optimise safety and inspection efficiency in power and industrial facilities, particularly in environments that are difficult or dangerous for human operators. Enhanced data analytics and real-time decision support can reduce downtime and improve fault detection responsiveness.

China’s growing exports of industrial robots underpin the expanding role of intelligent machines in global manufacturing and infrastructure sectors, indicating an increasing regional influence in high-tech industrial equipment worldwide.

Going forward, the deployment of AI models in conjunction with 5G and quantum communication protocols, as demonstrated by the Guangming Power Large Model, will be critical to advancing autonomous inspections and logistics services in industrial settings across Asia-Pacific.