 |
200 speakers, a new immersive experience zone, a humanoid robot football penalty shootout challenge, and the inaugural GLOMO Awards Asia take center stage
ShanghaiJune 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — MWC26 Shanghai, the largest and most influential mobile communications exhibition in Asia, officially opened today at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), bringing the global mobile ecosystem together in China for this landmark 13th edition.
GSMA Ltd. CEO John Hoffman and GSMA Greater China Head Sihan Bo Chen hosted the MWC Shanghai opening ceremony, with a surprise appearance by two humanoid robots developed by Honor: “Yuan Qi Zai” and “Lightning.” “Lightning,” the champion of the humanoid robot half-marathon held in Beijing’s Yizhuang area this April, which broke the human half-marathon record, joined “Yuan Qi Zai” on site to unveil this grand event.
GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath highlighted in his opening keynote that humanoid robots, the low-altitude economy, and autonomous vehicles are three of the most exciting frontier areas in the Asian mobile ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of telecommunications infrastructure in driving Asia’s intelligent, interconnected future.
GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath stated: “Not long ago, our core mission was connecting people and devices. Of course, that remains crucial, but it’s no longer the whole story. Today, operators are collaborating with various industries to drive the deployment of robots, drones, connected vehicles, and AI solutions across all sectors of the economy. They have become independent and strategic digital partners. For this week’s MWC Shanghai, there is great anticipation for the future: new services, new capabilities, and new possibilities yet to be unlocked.”
MWC Shanghai launches the Mobile AI Innovation Pioneer Zone, featuring a spectacular humanoid robot football penalty shootout challenge. The event will kick off with an opening ceremony on June 24 at 1:30 PM, followed by semi-finals and finals starting at 9:30 AM on June 25, and a robot celebration party afterward. There is also a new Future Constellation Zone, a Formula E showcase, and the inaugural GLOMO Awards Asia. Popular segments such as 4YFN and the GSMA Policy Leaders Forum will also return.
GSMA Ltd. CEO John Hoffman said: “The best way to understand the vitality and innovation of Asia’s mobile ecosystem today is to immerse yourself in the experience at the Shanghai venue for just one hour. The realization of humanoid robots, AI-driven devices, and unmanned systems all depend on the underlying connectivity infrastructure. We are just getting started, and the next three days are bound to be spectacular.”
Read the GSMA “2026 China Mobile Economy Report”.