Club Benefits
Europe’s largest tech tradeshow, Mobile World Congress 2026, is winding down, and while my primary focus covering MWC has been on health and fitness tech, I’d be remiss not to share the startling (to me) number of robots I bumped into — several, literally — on the show floor.
Some danced, others did flips, and a few operated in such terrifying, inhuman-like ways that I may never sleep soundly again. That said, here are the most noteworthy robots of Mobile World Congress 2026.
Half-sized dancing robot
This guy first made an appearance during a pre-show event on Sunday. At that time, we met, snapped a selfie, enjoyed some mutual dancing, and that was that.
However, the $27,000 Agibot X2 ‘compact humanoid’ popped up once again at a random booth on Monday, the opening day of the show, and then another time, in a completely different part of the show complex on the second day.
By MWC’s third day, I had no doubt I’d run into my old, pint-sized pal, Agi, and sure enough, I did. However, on our final (I hope) run-in, I decided to give my new robot friend the cold shoulder and avoid its cold, metallic gaze, as I’m starting to think Agi may be secretly following me around…
Backflipping dog robot
Usually, when I think of robot dogs, I picture those scary, Terminator-like Boston Dynamics robots. However, this robot dog, also manufactured by Agibot, was much less intimidating. Well, at least for a little while. When the demo began, the robot at first seemed to mimic an actual dog, inspecting the crowd that had gathered and even jumping on its ‘hind legs’ in a show of excitement.
Then the movements became… aggressive. One backflip led to another, and then another. Suddenly, the cute robot dog seemed more like a licensed martial arts assassin, rather than man’s best digital friend. It was at this point that I made my exit from the demo.
A slightly less impressive mini humanoid
Agibot wasn’t the only brand with dancing robots on display. While on the hunt for my 20th ham sandwich, I couldn’t help but pause outside of Maoiclab’s booth to check out their MagicBot Z1, another half-ish-sized humanoid boasting 50 ‘bio-inspired joints.’
It’s a little less impressive in its dexterity and operational smoothness compared to the Agibot X2 — the arms whipped around at one point with an almost violent force — but still, the thing can bust some certifiably jaw-dropping dance moves.
AI-powered desktop robot for kids
On the more wholesome front, we have TCL’s concept Tbot companion bot for kids. This desktop, AI-powered accessory turns TCL’s line of kid-friendly smartwatches, including the latest Movietime MT48, into a fully interactive, child-safe virtual buddy (it’s also a charger).
The Tbot makes fun faces, answers questions, promotes good posture and time management, all while being anything but intimidating. I mean, seriously, how could you not smile at its cute facial expressions? Of all the robot-like devices I saw at MWC, this one was my favorite.
Beer butler robot
I only saw the beer butler robot from a distance, and while we didn’t get to meet formally, I, for one, am a fan of their style. Brought to you by Agibot, the same brand behind the half-sized human robot and scary dog-bot, the beer bot is part of the brand’s G series of light industrial robots.
Less scary and capable than the aforementioned, notably due to a lack of human/animal-like legs (it does have wheels for mobility), the Agibot G robot might be the ultimate party trick if, of course, you're willing to drop some major cash. That said, I hear Agibot offers a robot rental program.
The Omni hand
Want to feel super uncomfortable? Head to YouTube and pull up a video of THE OMNIHAND in action. While the human-like dexterity and movement of this mechanical appendage is nothing short of amazing, something about a dismembered robot hand seemingly operating on its own, helter-skelter-like, from a stationary platform strikes me as deeply unsettling.
At least there's a seemingly accessible on/off button at the base.
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