What happened in China In late February and early March 2026, China's AWE consumer electronics and home appliance expo in Shanghai showcased a record number of robots — a milestone that would have read as aspirational spectacle just two years ago. This time, the hardware was functional and the commercial intent was unmistakable. Haier used AWE 2026 to present what it called an 'unmanned home service' concept: homes capable of cooking meals autonomously, cleaning without instruction, and monitoring residents' health by tracking vital signs and sending alerts. The centerpiece was the Haiwa companion robot, designed specifically for elderly users, with fall detection and medicine reminder functions built in. Roborock debuted at AWE 2026 using the exhibition's newly introduced dual-zone format — a structural signal that cleaning robots and broader home service robots are now treated as separate product categories, not adjacent ones. Domestic service robots capable of cooking, organizing…