The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026 is set to become a key platform for showcasing and debating the future of humanoid robots in south China's Hainan Province next week. Far from being just a technological showcase, humanoid robots will serve both as smart service providers during the forum and as a central topic in discussions on emerging industries.

The forum agenda includes a dedicated high-level dialogue and sub-forum titled "Humanoid Robots: Advancement and Breakthroughs." The session will bring together policymakers, business leaders, academics and leading robotics companies to explore how humanoid robots can transition from laboratory prototypes to real-world industrial deployment. Discussions are also expected to focus on the role of standardization in embodied intelligence, a key factor in scaling the industry globally.

Ahead of the forum, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released its first standard system covering the entire industrial chain and lifecycle of humanoid robots and embodied artificial intelligence, aiming to promote high-quality development through standardized technical requirements and safety protocols.

During the forum, experts are expected to further interpret how this system could guide industry development, improve interoperability and accelerate the global expansion of Chinese-developed humanoid robots.

Market forecasts suggest that 2026 could mark the beginning of exponential growth for China's humanoid robot sector. According to the Development Research Center of the State Council, the country's embodied AI market could reach 400 billion yuan (about $55 billion) by 2030 and exceed 1 trillion yuan by 2035, driven by productivity gains across logistics, manufacturing and service industries.

As discussions unfold, the forum is poised to serve as a strategic link between digital technologies and green development, and a key driver of economic transformation in Asia and beyond.