The 2018 World Robot Conference (WRC 2018) is set to open in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA) in August, according to the News and Information Center of BDA Administrative Commission.

The event will run from Aug 15 to 19 at Beijing Etrong International Conference and Exhibition Center.

Themed around “Creating Intelligent Momentum for a New Era of Openness and Shared Benefits”, WRC 2018 will invite world-renowned robotics experts to conduct high-level academic discussions, attract robotics firms, universities and institutes to showcase the latest achievements and applications of robot products, as well as hold robot competitions.

A total of 150 well-known domestic and foreign companies like SIASUN Robot & Automation CO, HIT Robot Group, ABB and FANUC will make their appearance at the event.

Industrial robots, service robots, underwater robots, military robots, and space robots will be displayed as well as a "robot production line."

There will be five robot contests in total –– BCI brain control, communication robots, industrial robots, youth design and an unmanned boat open competition.

The World Robot Conference has been successfully held in the BDA on two previous occasions. The convergence of the robot competition has driven the rapid development of the robotics industry in the BDA. So far, the development area has established a robotics industrial innovation base which has attracted a number of industry leaders and R&D institutions including HIT Robot Group and Yaskawa Shougang Robot Co. Some 100 companies in the industry have settled in the innovation base. The industry is currently worth some 3 billion yuan ($475 million).

Voice-controlled humanoid butler Alpha 2 is on display at the 2017 World Robot Conference in Beijing, Aug 24, 2017. [Photo/IC]