All the robots I met at Europe’s biggest consumer tech show
Europe’s biggest trade show, Mobile World Congress 2026, is coming to an end, and while my main focus covering MWC was health and fitness technology, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share the shocking (to me) number of robots I encountered – quite a few, literally – on the show floor.
Some danced, some turned, and a few operated in such terrifying, humane ways that I may never sleep soundly again. That said, here are the most notable robots from Mobile World Congress 2026.
Half dancing robot
The boy first appeared during a pre-show event on Sunday. At that time, we met, took a selfie, enjoyed the same dance, and that was it.
However, the $27,000 Agibot X2 ‘compact humanoid’ reappeared at a random location on Monday, the opening day of the show, and at another time, in a completely different part of the complex on the second day.
On the third day of MWC, I had no doubt that I would meet my old friend, Agi, and sure enough, I did. However, in our final entry (I hope), I decided to give my new robot friend the cold shoulder and avoid his cold, steely gaze, as I begin to think that Agi might be secretly following me…
A reversing dog robot
Normally, when I think of robot dogs, I picture those scary, Terminator-like Boston Dynamics robots. However, this robot dog, also developed by Agibot, was not so scared. Well, at least for a while. When the demo started, the robot initially appeared to be mimicking a real dog, scanning the crowd and even jumping on its ‘hind legs’ in excitement.
Then the movement became … aggressive. One backflip leads to another, and then another. Suddenly, the handsome robot dog looked more like a certified military assassin, instead of a human’s digital best friend. It was at this point that I made my exit from the demo.
A less attractive mini humanoid
Agibot wasn’t the only brand with dancing robots on display. While hunting for my 20 ham sandwich, I couldn’t help myself from Maoiclab’s booth to check out their MagicBot Z1, another half-ish-size humanoid that boasts 50 ‘bio-inspired joints.’
It’s less impressive in its agility and smooth performance compared to the Agibot X2 – the arms rotated simultaneously with violent force – but still, this thing can bust out some jaw-dropping dance moves.
An AI-powered desktop robot for kids
On the best front, we have the concept of Tbot which is Tbot’s companion for children. This computerized, AI-powered device turns TCL’s line of kid-friendly smartwatches, including the latest Movietime MT48, into a fully interactive, kid-safe (and rechargeable) virtual companion.
Tbot makes funny faces, answers questions, encourages good posture and time management, all without fear. I mean, seriously, how could you not smile at her beautiful face? Of all the robot-like devices I saw at MWC, this was my favorite.
A beer robot
I’ve only seen the beer robot from afar, and while we haven’t officially met, I, for one, am a fan of their style. Brought to you by Agibot, the same brand behind the half-sized robot and the fearsome dog-bot, the beer bot is part of the G series of light industrial robots.
Less scary and more capable than the aforementioned, mostly due to the lack of human/animal-like legs (it has wheels for movement), the Agibot G robot could be the ultimate party trick if, of course, you’re willing to drop some big bucks. That said, I hear Agibot offers a robot rental program.
The hand of Omni
Want to feel uncomfortable? Go to YouTube and download a video of THE OMNIHAND in action. While the human-like intelligence and movement of this mechanical appendage is amazing, something about the amputated robotic hand that seems to work on its own, helter-skelter-like, from a stationary position strikes me as very uncomfortable.
At least there is a obviously bottom accessible on/off button.
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