Robot Horse and Rider Steal the Spotlight at China's 2026 World Robot Conference
In a week that felt more like a preview of a sci-fi future than a trade conference, Beijing played host to the **2026 World Robot Conference (WRC)** — and the undisputed star of the show wasn't a humanoid, a drone, or an industrial arm. It was a **robot horse you can actually ride**.
The five-day event, which kicked off on August 19 at the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, brought together **373 companies** and more than **2,000 cutting-edge robot products**. But amid the dancing humanoids, boxing bots, and煮面 machines, it was the sight of visitors straddling a massive, four-legged mechanical steed that truly captured the world's attention.
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## The Star of the Show: DaxAI's 'Qiji' Riding Robot
The robot horse that stole the spotlight was unveiled by a startup called **DaxAI (大咖机器人)**. Officially named the **"Qiji X1 All-Terrain Intelligent Mount"** (骐骥全地形智能坐骑机器马), it's a 300-kilogram (660-pound) quadruped robot designed not just to walk, but to carry human riders.
At the conference, attendees climbed onto the machine's back, gripped the handles, and were carried on a surprisingly smooth, if mechanically deliberate, ride through the exhibition halls.
Here's what makes the Qiji X1 stand out:
- **Heavy Payload:** The robot can carry up to **300 kilograms (660 lbs)** — enough for an adult rider plus cargo.
- **All-Terrain Capability:** Equipped with a pure quadruped bionic structure (no wheels), it can navigate gravel, mud, and steep slopes.
- **Top Speed:** It can reach speeds of up to **10 km/h (about 6 mph)** .
- **Intelligent Brains:** It's powered by DaxAI's proprietary "Two-World Model" (两仪世界模型), which enables on-board environmental perception, terrain physics simulation, and real-time motion planning.
DaxAI also unveiled a second model, the **Qiji XS**, a wheeled-leg version designed for different terrains. The company even announced a **three-year strategic partnership with JD.com** at the conference.
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## More Than a Gimmick: Practical Uses for a Robot Horse
While the sight of people riding a mechanical horse through a convention center is undeniably eye-catching, the company insists this is not just a novelty. DaxAI representatives said the machine is being developed for **real-world applications**, including:
- **Emergency rescue** operations in difficult terrain.
- **Heavy-load transport** in off-road or industrial settings.
- **Patrol and inspection** in hazardous environments.
The robot's ability to carry heavy loads and navigate uneven ground suggests it could one day be a valuable tool for industries ranging from logistics to disaster response.
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## The Robotic Menagerie: From Horses to Humanoids
The Qiji X1 wasn't the only four-legged marvel on display. Cloud深处的科技 (DeepRobotics) also showcased a limited-edition robot horse to mark the Year of the Horse. And the visual spectacle reached new heights when a **humanoid robot archer** — riding a robot horse — lit the "Zhixin" (intelligence chip) flame at the opening ceremony of the 2nd World Humanoid Robot Games, which followed the conference.
### The Broader Robot Lineup
Beyond the horses, the conference floor was packed with a dazzling array of robotic life forms:
- **Dancing humanoids**: Ubtech showcased its humanoid robots performing a waltz with human dancers.
- **Boxing and sprinting bots**: Robots competed in拳击 matches, and a humanoid at the subsequent Games clocked **9.39 seconds in the 100-meter sprint** — faster than Usain Bolt's world record.
- **Versatile quadrupeds**: Boston Dynamics-style robot dogs were equipped with robotic arms, enabling them to pick up objects, press elevator buttons, and even scrub walls.
- **Humanoid workers**: Other robots demonstrated practical skills like sorting parcels, folding clothes, and even playing table tennis.
- **Service bots**: Robot chefs prepared pancakes and coffee, and robotic arms made latte art.
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## A Fitting Debut: Unitree's Record-Breaking IPO
The conference's timing was no accident. On the very same day the World Robot Conference opened, **Unitree Robotics (宇树科技)**, the world's largest humanoid robot maker, made its blockbuster debut on Shanghai's STAR Market.
The IPO was a sensation:
- Priced at **150.80 yuan ($22.43)** per share, the stock opened at **1,100 yuan ($163)** .
- The first-day surge of **629%** gave the company a market valuation of roughly **$50 billion**.
- The offering was **more than 8,000 times oversubscribed** by retail investors.
The event was seen as a landmark moment for China's humanoid robot industry, with Unitree's CEO Wang Xingxing comparing the current moment to a "ChatGPT moment" for robotics.
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## The Games: 2,000 Robots, 16 Countries
Hot on the heels of the conference, Beijing hosted the **2nd World Humanoid Robot Games** at the National Speed Skating Oval ("Ice Ribbon"). The event featured **2,056 robots from 666 teams across 16 countries** — quadruple the number from the first edition.
The scale of the event is a testament to China's ambition to lead the global robotics industry. As the BBC noted, the conference and games come as the country continues to **expand its robotics industry at a rapid pace**.
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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
### 1. What was the main attraction at the 2026 World Robot Conference?
The main attraction was the **Qiji X1 robot horse** by DaxAI, a 300kg, rideable quadruped robot that can carry people and cargo across difficult terrain.
### 2. Who made the robot horse?
The robot horse was unveiled by **DaxAI (Dax Robotics)**, a Chinese startup, at the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing.
### 3. What are the specifications of the Qiji X1 robot horse?
It weighs approximately **300 kg**, can carry a **300 kg payload**, travels at up to **10 km/h**, and is designed to navigate gravel, mud, and slopes.
### 4. Is the robot horse just a novelty?
No. The company says its potential uses include **emergency rescue, off-road transportation, and heavy-load carrying** in difficult environments.
### 5. How did Unitree Robotics perform on its IPO day?
Unitree's stock surged **629%** on its first trading day, opening at 1,100 yuan ($163) from its IPO price of 150.80 yuan ($22.43).
### 6. How big was the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games?
The games featured **2,056 robots** from **666 teams** across **16 countries** — four times more robots than the first edition.
### 7. What other robots were at the conference?
The conference featured **dancing humanoids, boxing robots, robot chefs, robotic arms making latte art, and four-legged robots with mechanical arms** that could pick up objects and press buttons.
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## Conclusion: A Glimpse Into the Future of Mobility
The 2026 World Robot Conference was a showcase of just how far robotics has come — and how quickly it's moving into the real world. While humanoids and industrial arms have been the traditional stars of these events, this year's spotlight was stolen by something more primal: a robot that mimics one of humanity's oldest forms of transport — the horse.
It is not yet clear when the Qiji X1 will be commercially available. But its public demonstration, alongside record-breaking IPOs and international robot games, suggests that the future of rideable robotics is closer than we think. China is betting big on a future where robots don't just work in factories — they carry us across mountains, rescue us from disasters, and maybe even race us to the finish line.
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## Disclaimer
*This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. All data and statistics are based on publicly available sources, including news reports, company announcements, and event coverage as of August 2026. Product specifications, IPO performance, and event details are subject to change. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any company, government, or organization mentioned. Before making any financial or investment decisions based on the content of this article, please consult with qualified professionals who can evaluate your specific situation.*
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