China'srobotics industry is showcasing its ambitions at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, where more than 300 manufacturers present the latest generation of humanoid robots. Designed to perform tasks ranging from packing medical supplies to household assistance and food preparation, the machines highlight how robotics is moving beyond demonstrations toward real-world applications.

Industry experts say advances in dexterity and control have significantly improved robot capabilities. While fully autonomous general-purpose robots remain years away, strong investor interest and rapid progress in artificial intelligence are fueling expectations of a major transformation in robotics.