Industry shifts focus from robot manufacturing to consumer adoption

During the 2026 World Robot Conference, Peng Wenzheng, head of R&D at Shangwei New Materials Q1, highlighted the industry's transition from focusing on robot manufacturing to embracing consumer-level adoption. Peng noted that the current challenge in embodied intelligence is not the physical form of robots but rather their limited intelligence and lack of ecosystem content. He emphasized that the global robot design is becoming increasingly similar, and the industry is now at a stage where the key question is whether companies are willing to enter the consumer market. Peng outlined three phases for the path to consumer adoption: the first phase involves technical practice and novelty, the second focuses on content creation and business engagement, and the third is about real-world application and practical value. He stressed that the ultimate goal is to explore the third phase collaboratively. The Q1 robot, developed by Shangwei New Materials, is designed with a compact size and smooth force control to ensure consumer safety. Its movements can be interrupted at any time without the need for a remote control, and the entire machine is visually free of screws. Over 95% of the robot's exterior is customizable, with the team planning to open-source all design files, allowing users to create customized versions through 3D printing. Peng expressed hope for more collaborators to contribute to the embodied intelligence sector.