2026 World Robot Conference Opens Consumer Street, JD.com Expands Repair Network

The 2026 World Robot Conference has for the first time introduced a robot consumer street, where multiple quadruped robots and service robots can be ordered on-site and delivered directly to homes. As emerging smart products, the repair and maintenance of robots have become a major concern for consumers before placing orders. The conference showcased a full-cycle service system covering on-site repair, regional maintenance, and professional operations, providing after-sales support for the adoption of robots in consumer settings.

At one corner of the venue, the front armor of a robot was removed, exposing its internal motherboard and power supply board. Jin Lei, a JD. com robot maintenance engineer, was tightening the leg screws of a robot about 1.2 meters in length, with several quadruped robots awaiting repair nearby. Jin explained that robot components vary, and improper installation can prevent the robot from standing upright after startup, making professional repair and maintenance technically demanding.

Previously, robots sold through JD. com that malfunctioned had to be shipped back to the company's headquarters in Hangzhou for repair, causing inconvenience in packaging and transportation. To shorten repair cycles, JD. com has partnered with various robot manufacturers to train engineers in different regions, enabling on-site repair for minor issues. JD. com has now established maintenance centers in eight regions across the country with high robot sales, allowing robots in the western region to be repaired in Xi'an instead of being sent to Hangzhou.

The rapid iteration of the robot industry has raised the bar for maintenance capabilities. Jin noted that robots are becoming increasingly intelligent, with higher-priced models equipped with more sensors that continuously collect external data, requiring synchronized advances in internal AI processing and motion control. Hardware architectures vary significantly across products: some robots have a single motherboard, while others feature multiple boards such as motion control and computing boards, demanding higher technical skills from repair personnel. To address these industry changes, JD. com is expanding its robot repair team, with Jin involved in training. In 2026, the professional team will grow from several dozen to 100 members.