Innovation highlighted at the World Robot Conference 2016

The opening ceremony of the 2016 World Robot Conference is held in Beijing on October 20, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua/Li Xin]

The World Robot Conference 2016 has officially kicked off in Beijing with the theme "Collaborative Innovation toward the Building of an Intelligent Society."

The 5-day event highlights the latest innovations, as a variety of specialized robots are on display.

This year's WRC2016 has attracted representatives from nearly 150 robotics companies from around the world.

While some of the robots are specialized in industrial manufacturing, many others have entertaining skills like dancing, playing sports, doing household chores, or even helping with child care.

Feng Tao, from the Canbot company based in Beijing says his firm's products have been applied to a variety of fields.

"Currently our products mainly work as guides for visitors, as well as do some consultancies or work in medical and healthcare industries. We have been cooperating with banks, real estate agencies, auto shops and hotels in a bid to popularize the use of our robots."

The smart companion robot produced by Feng's company can move its body on its own to complete dancing or other movements, and can speak a number of languages.

Some robots are useful assistants in carrying out life-saving surgeries.

Among them is the robot produced by Remebot, a high-tech startup which has been focused on creating robots for medical use since 2010.

Li Shuai, the firm's training manager, says the medical robots have been performing well.

"In the meantime we send the surgery plan to hospitals in small cities. When hospitals programme the robot, the robot can follow the plan well. After that, those local doctors can finish the surgery successfully with the assistance from robots."

Remebot has developed robots to help doctors with different types of neurosurgery, and they have already been used in 5 hospitals in the Chinese capital.

Stats from the International Federation of Robotics show that China is by far the largest robot market in the world with 68 thousand robots sold annually.

The sales volume of industrial robots in Chinese market has been increasing at an average rate of 35 percent in each of the past 5 years.

However, China still needs to catch up with the world's most advanced robot manufacturers in terms of Research & Development and application. This goal will require improved innovation as well as elevated standards of examination and certification.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of WRC2016, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong urged cooperation on smart industries including robotics.

"We should build efficient and flexible cooperation, tap the potentialities of sci-tech innovation, and strengthen the R&D process of industrial, service or other specialized robots. We also call for efforts to forge ahead with robotic research and the commercialization of the result products, and enhance the role played by innovation in robotics technology and industry development."

She also urged greater international exchanges in areas such as formulation of industry standards, patent applications and intellectual property rights protection.

This year's event will feature several activities including forums, exhibitions and contests.