Exploring the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Meeting

The 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Meeting is set to officially kick off on March 25. On March 24, reporters had the opportunity to preview the forum venue, which showcases a revamped permanent exhibition in Zhongguancun. The conference is filled with advanced robotics and cutting-edge technology, offering an engaging interactive experience that highlights the powerful and warm essence of technological innovation.

Over 500 Cutting-Edge Innovations on Display

The forum will take place from March 25 to 29, featuring five main segments: forum meetings, achievement releases, technology transactions, and more. Over a hundred professional activities will gather thousands of guests from more than 100 countries and regions. The concurrently held Zhongguancun permanent exhibition serves as a “showcase of technological excellence.” According to staff from the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, this year’s exhibition focuses on the theme of “Deep Integration of Technological Innovation and Industrial Innovation” with a “1+5” structure. This includes the hall, the Beijing (Jing-Jin-Ji) International Science and Technology Innovation Center, the creation of original innovation sources, fostering emerging industries, future industry layout, and creating an open innovation ecosystem. More than 500 cutting-edge technologies and products from over 350 organizations will be on display, featuring the latest advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, embodied intelligence, and high-end medical devices.

Innovations in Space Technology

China’s first private spacecraft company, Zhiwei Technology, is set to debut its unmanned commercial space station, version V1.0, with a planned first flight in the second quarter of 2026. Tang Linghui, deputy general manager of Zhiwei Technology’s marketing department, explained that the unmanned commercial cargo space station will be launched into orbit in a composite form. After a month of stable operation, it will conduct core technology verification through rendezvous and docking. The station’s orbital module will continue operations for approximately one year, serving as a platform for near-Earth orbital experiments in fields like space manufacturing and biomedicine.

Transforming the Automotive Industry

The world’s first lighthouse factory for cold-rolled automotive sheets, Shougang Cold-rolled Lighthouse Factory, has achieved comprehensive improvements in quality and efficiency through 67 digital application scenarios. Li Fenghui, chief engineer at Shougang Cold-rolled, noted that the company has established partnerships with over 70 domestic and international manufacturers and suppliers, including major automotive companies like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Great Wall, and Geely, as well as new energy vehicle firms like BYD, Li Auto, and Seres.

Showcasing Advanced Robotics

The venue also features many groundbreaking technologies, including the country’s first high-throughput invasive brain-machine interface system with over 100 clinical implant channels, achieving millisecond-level real-time decoding with key metrics meeting international standards. The O6 dexterous hand, the lightest in the world at just 370 grams, can carry a load of 50 kg. The L20 industrial-grade dexterous hand, with 21 degrees of freedom, can fully replicate human skills, while the L30 research-grade dexterous hand, driven by tendons, responds three times faster than a human hand. “Our entire series of self-developed products is priced at only a fraction of similar overseas products, showcasing the strength of domestic technology,” said Zuo Jiaping, co-founder of Lingxin Qiaoshou Company.

Engaging Technological Experiences

This year’s forum is particularly anticipated for the role of robots in providing services. During the preview, the robot team made a remarkable appearance, showcasing their capabilities. In a newly unveiled robot café, various brands of robots work collaboratively to autonomously handle the entire process from ordering and preparation to delivery. They even incorporate traditional Beijing snacks into the dining experience, presenting dishes like candied hawthorn and milk skin in an efficient manner.

Nearby, a robot band performed alongside dancing robots, adding a delightful touch to the technological atmosphere. The familiar “Xiao Guan” robot also made a heartwarming return, welcoming guests with intelligent services. Technology is not merely cold machinery; it offers warm and accessible experiences.

Among the highlights was the debut of a new gel-based snow material that captivates attendees. This “black technology” provides immediate cooling for electronic devices like laptops and smartphones and has been incorporated into the “Ice Xiao Guan” cultural products, combining practicality and a sense of innovation. Furthermore, the forum utilized real-time video capture to create personalized Vlogs for attendees, documenting their unique technological journey.