The 140th Canton Fair is opening a zone dedicated to service robots. Between cleaning and delivery demonstrations and humanoid robots on display, international buyers are focusing on how reliably the machines perform in professional settings.
For its 70th anniversary, the Canton Fair has set aside a specific space for service robotics within its “Advanced Manufacturing” program. The move reflects a shift in purchasing criteria: international procurement teams are paying particular attention to whether robots can operate over the long term in commercial and industrial environments.
A robotics zone within a 520,000 m² industrial exhibition area
According to figures reported at the fair, the first phase of the “Advanced Manufacturing” program covers 520,000 m² and hosts 12,000 exhibitors, spread across areas that include 17 zones dedicated to emerging industries.
In total, the 140th Canton Fair brings together more than 32,000 exhibitors. Of these, more than 11,000 are manufacturers recognized nationally for their specialization or their leading position in their sector.
Why three US startups are building humanoid robots on China’s Unitree G1 for lack of an alternative
Service robotics therefore has a clearly identified space within a trade event that brings industrial manufacturers and international buyers together.
Cleaning and delivery robots tested in the exhibition aisles
In the dedicated zone, cleaning and delivery robots carried out live operational demonstrations in the exhibition aisles.
Other categories of machines were also on show: humanoid platforms and dexterous robotic hands on display stands, wearable exoskeletons that visitors could try, and inspection robots designed for high-risk environments.
These different presentation formats make it possible to tell apart the equipment shown in operation from the equipment displayed to illustrate its physical characteristics or applications.
Service robot buyers focus on reliability across a full working day
On-site reporting points to a change in priorities among international purchasing teams. Beyond scripted demonstrations, their attention is on the reliability of robotic systems under real operating conditions.
The central criterion is whether the equipment can consistently handle a full working day in commercial or industrial activities. This requirement puts the emphasis on continuous operation rather than on a single successful demonstration.
Emerging industries draw major international buying groups
According to the figures presented for this edition, 64% of participating companies use solutions connected to the Industrial Internet or based on artificial intelligence. This share covers exhibiting companies as a whole, not only robot manufacturers.
The number of new product launches in emerging industries rose by around 20%, according to fair data. This increase applies to all of these industries, not just service robotics.
Finally, 170 major international buying groups had registered before the Canton Fair opened. Their announced attendance underlines the commercial nature of the event, where manufacturers present their equipment to buyers focused on how it performs in professional environments.