The West Bund International Tech Consumer Carnival will take place from Oct 24 to 28 at the Shanghai West Bund International Convention and Exhibition Center.

Unlike a traditional technology exhibition, this event is billed as the world's first AI-themed carnival designed from a player's perspective, aiming to present emerging technologies in a more engaging and human-centered way.

The carnival will bring together leading creator brands and research teams from Japan, France, and the United States, who will showcase their latest AI technologies and robotic products, many of which will make their debut in the Chinese market.

One of the featured exhibits is Mirumi, a companion robot developed by Yukai Engineering of Japan. Adorable and soft in appearance, Mirumi redefines the concept of an AI companion. It does not have voice recognition, a screen, or a camera. Instead, it operates through two miniature sensors that enable it to respond naturally to human presence and touch.

When someone approaches, Mirumi gently turns its head. When stroked, it emits a soothing sound reminiscent of a baby's contented murmur, and when the surrounding environment changes, it looks around with curiosity.

The creators of Mirumi believe that AI innovation should not solely pursue technical sophistication but should focus on capturing subtle emotional moments and fostering genuine human connection.

Another highlight is Reachy Mini from France. Developed for AI research, human-machine interaction, and creative programming, this desktop robot is fully open source, allowing users to modify, customize, and share both its hardware and software.

The robot currently supports Python programming and plans to expand to Scratch, further lowering the threshold for hands-on AI learning and development.

The simultaneous appearance of Mirumi and Reachy Mini at WTCC illustrates the event's core mission, which is to provide a platform for global AI innovators to meet, interact, and inspire one another.

More than a showcase of new technologies, WTCC seeks to establish an international platform for long-term cooperation in science, technology, and the creative industries. It aims to promote in-person exchanges among innovators from different cultural and professional backgrounds, encouraging the sharing of ideas, design concepts, and research outcomes.

By highlighting small and specialized innovators alongside established institutions, WTCC underscores Shanghai's commitment to supporting both large-scale and niche technological advancement.

The event is jointly supported by Z·Pilot and the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, which are working together to connect global resources, talent, and investment, laying the foundation for a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

If you go

When: 10 am to 6 pm, Oct 24 to 28

Where: Shanghai West Bund International Convention & Exhibition Center, No 7 Longyao Road, Xuhui district

Metro Line 11: Exit 1, Longyao Road Station

Participation: Follow the official WeChat account of Z·Pilot and reply "WTCC" to obtain free ticket access.

Sources: Official WeChat accounts of Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center and Hugging Face, official website of Yukai Engineering