The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai has unveiled two groundbreaking consumer technologies: a brain-controlled robot platform and the world's first AI agent smartphone.
BrainCo, a leading Chinese brain-computer interface (BCI) company, demonstrated its "Brain-Controlled Robot AI Platform," which allows users to control robots using only their thoughts via a lightweight EEG headset. During the demo, a user wearing the headset successfully directed a robotic arm to grasp a cup and pick up an apple without pressing any buttons, speaking, or making physical movements. The entire process from brain signal capture to robot action takes under 200 milliseconds. The platform is compatible with a wide range of third-party hardware, including humanoid robots, robotic arms, and robotic dogs. BrainCo also unveiled an Embodied AI Data Collection Solution designed to address the robotics industry's persistent shortage of high-quality training data.
Meanwhile, Nubia unveiled the NaviX Ultra, billed as the world's first mass-produced AI agent smartphone. Powered by ByteDance's Doubao Phone Assistant, the device features a native AI agent architecture that moves beyond conventional voice assistants. Rather than responding to individual commands, the AI agent interprets user intent and autonomously coordinates actions across multiple applications. For example, when asked to prepare for a business trip, the system can gather travel information, organize documents, and set reminders without requiring users to manually switch between apps. Internal testing reportedly shows the NaviX Ultra completes complex multi-step tasks 67% faster than conventional AI smartphones while reducing errors by 42%. The device received a SAIL (Super AI Leader) Award at the conference for its AI advancements.