Boxing, Backflipping Robots Rule at China’s Biggest AI Summit

From lumbering six-foot machines to nimble back-flipping dogs, robots lorded over China’s most important annual AI conference in Shanghai this week. Thousands turned up to gawk at the antics of a bewildering array of droids at work: dispensing popcorn and drinks (messily), peeling eggs, sparring in a boxing ring, playing mahjong or just wandering around the cavernous exhibition hall.

The more popular robots were the creations of Unitree, UBTech Robotics Corp.and Agibot, who’ve built up some name-recognition among the hundreds of startups and big tech firms vying to produce the world’s most advanced humanoid androids. The scores ...