Video: Humanoid robot rides 660-pound capacity robot horse in Beijing demonstration

A four-legged robot carrying a humanoid robot rider has become one of the standout attractions at the 2026 World Robot Conference in Beijing, offering a glimpse at how quickly Chinese robotics companies are moving beyond conventional industrial machines. The Qiji X1, developed by DaxAI Robotics, combines four mechanical legs with a saddle and handlebars, allowing a person to ride the machine like a robotic horse. The all-terrain robot is reportedly capable of carrying up to 660 pounds, while its unconventional design drew crowds at the five-day conference. The event comes as China expands its robotics industry and competes to establish leadership in humanoid and autonomous machines, with more than 2,000 robots from 16 countries also taking part in the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games. A robotic horse you can actually ride The Qiji X1 is essentially a large quadruped robot redesigned to carry a person. Instead of wheels or tracks, it moves using four articulated mechanical legs, giving it the appearance of a robotic horse. A rider sits on a saddle and controls the machine using handlebars mounted at the front. Demonstrations showed the robot moving forward in deliberate, somewhat unsteady steps as it navigated the exhibition floor. DaxAI Robotics developed the machine as a proof of concept for a rideable four-legged robot. The company emerged in Beijing around 2025 and was founded by Wang Kun, who had previously worked on robotics and autonomous driving technology. Wang’s co-founder and chief technology officer, Xu Wenqiang, has an advanced background in AI. Together, the team has focused on combining robotics and autonomous systems to create machines capable of operating in environments where conventional wheeled platforms may struggle. #机器人也有坐骑了“We’re both machines — why are you riding on me?”At the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games（2026）, a humanoid robot makes its entrance mounted on a robotic steed, waving a huge banner.#CoolRobots@WHRG（BRTV Global记者 闫潇晗） pic.twitter.com/PfR3dKGtfm— Hello Beijing (@Margare17290884) August 23, 2026 The Qiji X1 is particularly notable because it moves beyond the increasingly familiar robotic dogs and industrial quadrupeds. By adding a human rider, the company is testing whether legged robots could eventually become a new type of personal or utility vehicle. Humanoids in the spotlight The robot horse was one of several machines showcased at the World Robot Conference, which began in Beijing as China’s robotics industry continues to expand. Humanoid robots were another major focus of the event, with Chinese manufacturers demonstrating machines capable of walking, dancing and performing other human-like movements. The timing is significant for China’s robotics industry, since on the opening day of the conference, Unitree Robotics, one of the world’s largest humanoid robot manufacturers, made its debut on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Unitree’s robots are also competing in the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games, which began in Beijing on Saturday and feature more than 2,000 robots representing 16 countries. The combination of the conference, robotics competition and growing investment in Chinese manufacturers highlights the country’s ambition to build a broad domestic robotics ecosystem. The Qiji X1 also demonstrates that the competition is not limited to humanoid machines. Companies are exploring different robotic designs for transportation, industrial work and mobility, with quadruped systems offering potential advantages on uneven terrain.While the robot horse remains more of a technological showcase than a practical replacement for conventional vehicles, its appearance at one of China’s largest robotics events also illustrates the rapid expansion of the country’s robotics industry.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Bojan Stojkovski is a freelance journalist based in Skopje, North Macedonia, covering foreign policy and technology for more than a decade. His work has appeared in Foreign Policy, ZDNet, and Nature.