One of the world's three major consumer electronics exhibitions, the Appliance & Electronics World Expo, has opened in Shanghai. This year's event places a strong focus on artificial intelligence. From smart home appliances to intelligent transportation technologies, both domestic and international companies are competing to capture the attention of Chinese consumers. Chen Tong reports.
At the expo, visitors can experience some of the latest technologies designed for everyday life at home.
"Open the oven."
Take this oven, for example. It features voice recognition and can even connect to DeepSeek, allowing users to ask for recipes and cooking suggestions.
HUBERT DE HAAN Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, BSH Home Appliances Group Region Greater China "For instance, you have some ingredients in your refrigerator, you want to make a meal out of that, so you can ask suggestions for the meal and the oven will make suggestion in a recipe, and then you could even let the oven put the right settings of the oven and monitor the whole cooking process."
At the booths of Bosch and Siemens, you can find nearly all products, from refrigerators to washing machines, somehow using AI to make them smarter.
The company says Chinese people are more willing to try new things, and that's why innovations are used in home appliances.
HUBERT DE HAAN Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer, BSH Home Appliances Group Region Greater China "I also believe that Chinese consumers are getting more mature in observing AI. It's also now more wise, more savvy about it. Okay, it's nice that you talk about it, but what does it offer to me and that we need to communicate with the consumer."
In addition to home appliances, there are even mobility solutions that you can use in your everyday life.
CHEN TONG Shanghai "This is not an ordinary scooter. Powered by AI, it adapts to road conditions and enhances your driving experiences in real time."
Domestic company NAVEE is on show. It displays mobility solutions from the earth to the sky.
ZHANG YING Chief Scientist of NAVEE Tech "In all these technologies, we utilized AI in the development process. First, we use an AI algorithm to maximum improve motor efficiency. Secondly, we also utilized AI to do the design process so it can be fast tracked."
And these ideas are no longer just concepts, they are becoming reality. The bikes and scooters are already in mass production and are expected to reach the market soon. As for the aircraft, the company says they could be put into use within one to three years.
China mentioned "building new forms of a smart economy" for the first time in its 2026 government work report. That is one reason why around 1,200 companies are participating in this year's expo, showcasing how AI is being integrated into everyday life.
