ENGINEAI's T800 shows off its martial arts moves to attendees of the IFA 2026 tech expo in Berlin, Germany. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
BERLIN — Humanoid robots have taken over the IFA 2026 tech expo and seem set to be the next big thing in tech.
While real-world applications for these robots have yet to be thoroughly “fleshed out,” so to speak, this has not stopped inventors and innovators from around the world, but mostly in China, from putting out model after impressive model.
While many of us have already seen clips online of these futuristic machines doing breaking human running records, or fighting each other MMA-style, there’s still nothing quite like seeing them live, in the flesh, again, so to speak.
IFA has featured humanoid robots before, but the technology has evolved exponentially since I saw the first humanoid robot in the Berlin expo two years ago. From robots that could just do rudimentary movements, we now have robots that could execute, so to speak, the most complex martial arts moves like combination punches, roundhouse kicks and wheel kicks.
ENGINEAI's PM01 shows off its martial arts moves to attendees of the IFA 2026 tech expo in Berlin, Germany. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
Most impressive were the robots from the Chinese company ENGINEAI. The company showcased two units: the PM01, which is 1.4 meters tall (4’7) and weighs 43 kg; and the larger and creepily named T800, which stands 1.73 meters tall (5’8) and weighs up to 85kg.
In case you need reminding, T800 was also the model of the original Terminator from the 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, which makes me wonder if the Chinese company that built this had some particular application in mind.
Both the PM01 and the T800 could do martial arts, and complex dance moves. The scars on the back of the T800 show that it’s been through some rough stuff. Last July, the T800 was even featured in an MMA-style fight in Shenzhen.
Zeroth Robotics' W1 greets attendees of the IFA 2026 tech expo in Berlin, Germany. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
If you have nightmares about killer T800 robots controlled by Skynet taking over the world, then the W1 by Zeroth Robotics may just be the robot for you. Yes, it does look like a beloved character from Pixar. And yes, if you know your Asimov, the Zeroth Law is all about robots not harming humanity or allowing humanity to come to harm.
Zeroth Robotics says this tracked robot is designed to follow users, transport gear, patrol indoor and outdoor spaces, and provide camera-based monitoring and portable power. It can monitor your home, connect to smart home safety devices, haul your camping gear outdoors, and even play videos and karaoke. Maybe robots doing karaoke is not the smartest use of tech, but hey, it’s better than getting punched in the face by a cybernetic fist.
Even LG, the Korean electronics giant had a robot in IFA. Dubbed as CLOiD, the robot acted as a conductor to classical music pieces at the LG display area, where the company displayed AI home appliances like refs, washing machines and kitchen appliances.
LG's robot CLOiD. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
LG earlier unveiled CLOiD at CES and promoted it as an AI-powered home robot that could perform household tasks like cooking and laundry, but I did not see these being demoed at IFA.
Other humanoid robots at IFA were from Agibot, Primebot and Dobot. The Dobot Lumo L1 and the Agibot were presented as ‘companions’ at home and interactive exhibition guides, but like the other humanoid robots, there seems to be no clear-cut application for them, other than being high-tech conversation pieces.
Other humanoid robots on display at the IFA 2026 tech expo in Berlin, Germany. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
Some robots on display were actually designed to do work–like mowing the lawn.
There were other non-humanoid robots showcased at IFA, many of which were variations on the quadrupedal dog-like robots.
Robot toys at the IFA 2026 tech expo. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
Many robotic pets were also on display, but I personally thought the most interesting ones were the robotic cat litter scoopers. Now that’s one application of AI and robotics we can all probably support.
An AI-powered robotic kitty litter box. Arthur Fuentes, ABS-CBN News
I am not sure that we need AI that can write poetry or create art and music. But AI that can scoop cat litter truly makes the world a better place.
The IFA (Innovation for All) tech expo runs from Sept. 4-8 in Berlin.