The exhibits and discussions offer a glimpse of Chinese innovation at different stages of development, highlighting how advances in AI and manufacturing are opening up new applications.
LISBON, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- From AI-powered robots designed to work in shops to a vehicle carrying a detachable aircraft, Chinese companies at the four-day Web Summit 2026 in Lisbon are showcasing technologies that could reshape how people work, travel and develop artificial intelligence (AI).
The exhibits and discussions offer a glimpse of Chinese innovation at different stages of development, highlighting how advances in AI and manufacturing are opening up new applications.
Chinese robotics company Galbot exhibited its G1 robot, equipped with a wheeled base and two arms. Using AI to understand its surroundings and perform physical tasks, the robot is designed to operate in settings such as convenience stores, pharmacies, and factories.
For Ahti Heinla, co-founder of autonomous delivery robot company Starship Technologies, China's rapid technological progress is impressive.
Heinla told Xinhua that China's technological advances have drawn attention in Europe and the United States, highlighting China's manufacturing strength and scale as advantages in developing physical AI.
"China is a massive manufacturing power," he said, expressing confidence in the potential for complementary cooperation between Chinese and European companies.
While Starship develops small delivery robots that operate mainly on sidewalks, Chinese firms have made progress with larger autonomous vehicles designed for roads, he noted.
"I think these are complementary solutions," he said, adding that different designs can serve different markets.
China's advances in transportation technology were also on display at the summit's opening ceremony, where Zhao Deli, founder of flying-car developer XPENG ARIDGE, introduced the company's Land Aircraft Carrier.
The system consists of a six-wheeled ground vehicle and a detachable electric aircraft. Displayed on either side of the main stage, the two components showed a design intended to make aircraft easier to transport, store and recharge.
Zhao expects the global flying-car industry to enter a period of rapid development over the next decade. In an interview with Xinhua, he said the technology could initially serve recreational flying and emergency rescue before gradually expanding to point-to-point transportation.
He highlighted China's electric vehicle supply chain as an advantage, saying it could help reduce production costs and make flying cars more affordable.
The company is also pursuing international cooperation to explore applications for flying cars and support the development of low-altitude aviation.
Beyond physical machines, Chinese companies are participating in discussions about how AI itself is developed and deployed.
At a panel titled "The Open Source Advantage" on Tuesday, representatives from Chinese AI companies ModelBest and MiniMax joined a partner from venture capital firm True Ventures to discuss the role of open-source technologies in AI development and deployment.
As companies seek to balance performance, costs and data management, open models offer alternatives that can be adapted to specific needs. They can also make advanced AI more accessible to smaller businesses and independent developers.
Together, the exhibits and discussions highlight Chinese companies' growing role in the global AI ecosystem. While expanding manufacturing capabilities to bring new machines to market, Chinese business innovation is also contributing models and tools to help develop AI applications.
