Presented on 2 November 2026 at the Light of Internet Expo in Wuzhen, a massage robot combines a six-axis arm, motion capture and 3D modelling to reproduce the movements of a professional therapist. Visitors were able to try the device themselves, set up on a massage table during the expo.
Held in Wuzhen, in China’s Zhejiang province, the Light of Internet Expo is part of the 2026 World Internet Conference programme. The event brings together 671 Chinese and foreign companies and institutions from 54 countries and regions.
How the robotic arm reproduces massage techniques
The robot relies on a six-axis robotic arm and motion capture technology. The device reproduces a professional therapist’s pressure, application angles and movement paths at a 1:1 ratio.
3D modelling also allows it to identify where acupuncture points and muscle groups are located on the human body. This data is used to guide the arm’s movements and to locate the areas where pressure should be applied.
Visitors could try the massage robot at the expo
At the stand, volunteers lie face down on a massage table. The robotic arm then moves along the neck, shoulders, waist and back, applying varying levels of pressure.
The demonstration focuses on the precision of the force control and on how faithfully the massage techniques are reproduced. Visitors can experience the robot’s movements first-hand as part of this public presentation in Wuzhen.