Nation sees manufacturing strength evolve into intelligent ecosystems

A splash of ketchup on the floor became an impromptu challenge for a Chinese robot vacuum at IFA 2026 in Berlin, Germany.

A visitor poured the sauce onto the exhibition floor, apparently eager to see whether the floor-cleaning robot from the Chinese company Ecovacs could handle a mess far removed from a carefully staged demonstration. The robot quickly detected the spill, rolled over the red stain and wiped it clean, prompting many nearby visitors to pull out their phones to capture the moment and praise its performance.

Such encounters could be seen across the sprawling Messe Berlin, where robots climbed stairs, mowed lawns and cleaned windows, while humanoid machines demonstrated how they could one day sort laundry or help around the home. The scenes offered a vivid glimpse of how Chinese companies are transforming technologies once associated with the future into products designed for everyday life.

IFA 2026, the world’s largest event for consumer electronics, home appliances and future technology, is being held in Berlin from Friday to Tuesday. At the event, Chinese smart home robotics companies are using technology to reshape consumers’ perceptions of what home appliances can do.

The Chinese presence is hard to miss even before entering the venue. Approaching the north entrance of Messe Berlin, the Global Times reporter was greeted by giant advertisements from Haier, Midea, Xiaomi and Dreame. Inside, Chinese companies cluster across multiple halls, while brands including TCL, Haier and Xiaomi command large exhibition spaces of their own.

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