Visitors try Hangzhou-developed AR glasses at the event. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Hangzhou's AI sector took center stage at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), held in Shanghai from July 17 to 20. Companies from Hangzhou's Binjiang and Qiantang districts showcased breakthroughs spanning computing power, AI models, embodied intelligence and industrial applications.

Unitree Robotics unveiled GD01, billed as the world's first transforming mecha capable of switching between humanoid and quadruped forms. Other Binjiang-based companies, including Hikvision and Supcon, demonstrated AI solutions for industrial inspection, manufacturing and high-risk operations.

On the computing side, H3C presented an integrated intelligent-computing solution supporting trillion-parameter model training, while Chipltech unveiled its self-developed AI chips and servers. Qiantang companies also showcased advances in AI computing, storage and industrial robotics, including an embodied-intelligence joint designed for industrial applications.

The displays highlighted Hangzhou's growing AI ecosystem, where chips, computing infrastructure, models, robots and real-world applications are developing in tandem. In 2025, Binjiang's AI industry reached 47.8 billion yuan ($7.1 billion) in scale, while Qiantang is accelerating its AI-manufacturing strategy, seeking to turn cutting-edge technologies into large-scale industrial applications.

A visitor shakes hands with a humanoid robot developed by a Hangzhou company. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]