Health & Biotech

CMEF 2026 Shanghai to Spotlight AI, Robotics and Global Medical Tech Innovation

From AI diagnostics to exoskeletons, the event highlights how healthcare tech is moving into real-world use

Updated

April 8, 2026 10:43 AM

Tesla Bot Optimus, designed by Tesla. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

The China International Medical Equipment Fair 2026 will open in Shanghai from April 9 to 12 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center. It is one of the largest gatherings in the medical device industry. This year’s edition will cover more than 320,000 square metres. Nearly 5,000 companies and brands are expected to participate, representing over 20 countries and regions. Organisers also expect more than 200,000 professional visitors and buyers from around 150 markets.

A key focus this year is the growing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. One of the headline technologies is an AI agent designed to carry out multiple diagnoses from a single scan. The exhibition will also feature diagnostic software that is already in clinical use. In addition, an integrated platform for AI training and inference will be showcased to improve computing capacity within healthcare institutions.

Robotics will also play a central role at the event. New systems across surgical procedures, rehabilitation and elderly care are expected to be presented. Together, these developments point to a steady move toward more precise and assisted forms of care. Many of these technologies are designed to support clinicians and patients, especially in tasks that require consistent accuracy or long-term physical assistance.

For the first time, the event will introduce a dedicated Future Tech Arena. It will focus on brain-computer interfaces, embodied intelligence and university-led innovation. The space will include AI-assisted MRI systems for Alzheimer’s diagnosis. It will also feature brain-computer interface technologies used for cognitive assessment and training, along with wearable robotic exoskeletons.

Alongside product showcases, the event will continue to act as a platform for international trade and collaboration. An International Zone will host exhibitors from countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, France, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. This provides a view of how different markets are approaching medical technology. It also reflects the global nature of innovation and deployment in this sector.

The programme will include a set of networking and exchange formats under its “We” initiative. These include discussion stages with representatives from consulates and industry organisations, as well as matchmaking sessions based on verified buyer demand. Guided tours will also be organised to help international visitors connect with relevant exhibitors. In parallel, organisers are working with hospital partners to provide medical support services for attendees during the event.

Across the four days, hundreds of forums are scheduled. These will bring together policymakers, researchers and industry leaders to discuss regulatory frameworks, market access and the future of healthcare innovation. Some of these sessions will be led by the Global Harmonization Working Party in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, with a focus on regulatory alignment and cross-border cooperation in medical devices.

As healthcare systems continue to adopt digital tools and advanced equipment, events like CMEF provide a clear view of how these technologies are being developed and applied. The scale of participation this year reflects continued activity across both innovation and international collaboration in the medical device sector.

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Funding & Deals

Rokid Sets a Crowdfunding Record in Taiwan with NT$62 Million AI Glasses Campaign

From pre-orders to market entry, Rokid’s Taiwan campaign reflects how AI hardware is being introduced to consumers today.

Updated

January 8, 2026 6:30 PM

Rokid Glasses, a pair of AR glasses from Rokid. PHOTO: ROKID

Rokid has reached a significant crowdfunding milestone in Taiwan. Its Rokid Glasses campaign surpassed NT$62 million in pre-order funding on zeczec, Taiwan’s creative-oriented crowdfunding platform. The campaign ranked No. 1 across all categories on the platform in 2025 and entered the Top 10 funded campaigns in zeczec’s history, setting new records for AI and XR-related projects.

The campaign launched on October 28 and became one of the platform’s most prominent technology initiatives of the year. According to the company, the outcome followed growing visibility for Rokid Glasses after product showcases in New York, Berlin, Singapore and Paris, positioning the Taiwan campaign within a broader international rollout.

The crowdfunding achievement coincided with Rokid’s official market entry in Taiwan. On December 10, the company debuted Rokid Glasses locally, introducing the product to media, partners and early users in the region. The Taiwan launch mirrored earlier international events and connected the online crowdfunding campaign with a physical market presence.

Rokid Glasses combine augmented reality displays with built-in AI functions, including real-time multilingual translation, live transcription, navigation, object recognition and voice assistance. These capabilities were central to how the product was presented during both the crowdfunding campaign and the Taiwan launch, without framing the project as a traditional consumer electronics release.

The Taiwan campaign builds on Rokid’s prior crowdfunding history. The company previously raised more than US$4 million on Kickstarter, where Rokid Glasses became the highest-funded XR wearable project on the platform. The zeczec campaign extends that track record into one of Asia’s most established consumer electronics markets.

“Taiwan has one of the world's most mature and discerning consumer electronics markets”, said Said Justo Chang, Head of Global Channels at Rokid. “Reaching the top of Taiwan's crowdfunding platform is a great commercial achievement. We are excited to finally introduce Rokid Glasses to Taiwan”.

More broadly, the campaign highlights how crowdfunding platforms continue to function as launch and distribution channels for emerging AI and XR hardware. In Rokid’s case, product rollout, market entry and public participation converged within a single campaign, marking a notable moment for AI-enabled wearables in Taiwan’s technology landscape.