Photo: courtesy of DEEP Robotics

　　At the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), one of the most eye-catching experiences on the show floor was the chance to ride a quadruped robot - an encounter that felt less like testing a machine and more like stepping into a scene from the future.

　　Quadruped robots emerged as an attraction at the WAIC, where companies showcased a new generation of machine "horses" and riding robots designed to carry people, transport goods, and operate across complex terrain.

　　Among the most talked-about exhibits was a riding robot developed by Chongqing Haochen Embodied Intelligence Technology Co, with technical support from AGIQUAD, a subsidiary of Shanghai-based AgiBot. The company said the robot has opened for global pre-orders at the event and is scheduled for small-batch delivery in September.

　　According to an on-site staff member, the robot can reach a top speed of 15 kilometers per hour, carry up to 75 kilograms, travel as far as 20 km on a single charge, and climb slopes of up to 25 degrees. It also supports all-terrain travel, obstacle avoidance on multiple surfaces, body-form switching, and voice interaction.

　　"We don"t define it as a tool, but as a partner," a staff member said. "It can chat and interact with you like a companion."

　　The company said its long-term goal is to obtain a motorcycle or four-wheel vehicle license for the robot within three years, enabling it to operate on public roads.

　　Meanwhile, the Qiji X1 All-Terrain Intelligent Mount-Quadruped Cyber Horse from DaxAI Robot has also drawn crowds of visitors at the ongoing 2026 WAIC in Shanghai.

　　It is billed as the world"s first AI-powered smart riding quadruped.