Chongqing — The Chongqing Robot and AI Application Demonstration Center began welcoming visitors on March 1, featuring more than 100 robot models.
The collection represents most of the major robot types already in use across the southwestern megacity, from industrial systems that power manufacturing lines to service robots designed for education and interactive entertainment.
The 13,000-square-meter venue is being developed in two phases and will ultimately be divided into five technology zones. At its core is a simple pitch: make advanced machines less abstract and more understandable to the public, while projecting the city's ambitions in high-end manufacturing.
A humanoid robot performs at the Chongqing Robot and AI Application Demonstration Center. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
On the first floor, the industrial robotics hall presents familiar names in global automation, including Kawasaki and FANUC. One live demonstration showed four Kawasaki robots moving in tight coordination as they transferred, ground, inspected, and placed metal parts in a steady, assembly-line rhythm. Nearby, towering robotic arms associated with automotive production were raised over the exhibit, positioned as if ready to mount components onto a vehicle body.
"These industrial robots are common in workshops and on production lines, but they still feel mysterious to many members of the public," a representative of the center said. Put on display outside the factory gate, the machines offered a snapshot of Chongqing's push toward smart manufacturing in the form of embodied AI, tied to sectors such as intelligent, connected new-energy vehicles and next-generation electronic information manufacturing.
Upstairs, the tone shifts from heavy industry to hands-on participation. Residents who book in advance can join interactive sessions that range from playing Gomoku to operating robots in a small-scale football match, chatting with educational robots, and taking part in AI-themed quiz challenges.
The humanoid robots interacted with visitors during a live showcase. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
Children, guided by parents and staff, can learn to control the Unitree Go2 consumer quadruped, popularly dubbed a "robot dog," prompting it to lie down, stand up, walk, and stretch. The center has also staged performances with the Unitree G1 humanoid robot, demonstrating coordinated movement through a kung fu-style routine.
Beyond the demonstrations, the facility features educational panels and display stations explaining core concepts and real-world applications in robotics, AI, and embodied intelligence — systems that combine artificial intelligence with physical machines capable of sensing and acting in the environment.
The representative said the center has drawn strong crowds since opening and is still adding content and upgrading facilities. A virtual reality experience zone is expected later this month, and a "robot cafe" — with robots serving as baristas and waiters — is planned by month's end.