Yansyn-X2 Robot Sheds a Tear on Command at Shanghai Conference
Chinese firm Yanxi Technology showed the Yansyn-X2 humanoid robot crying on command at the 2026 Inclusion Conference in Shanghai, using a microfluidic system and AI.
At the 2026 Inclusion Conference in Shanghai, footage showed the Yansyn-X2 humanoid robot shedding a tear on command. The robot is built by Yanxi Technology, a Chinese robotics firm based in Ningbo.
The Yansyn-X2 uses a three-layer technical architecture. An AI algorithm analyzes conversational context and tone, bionic components sit beneath a medical-grade silicone face, and a microfluidic system dispenses the tears.
The current model is static: it can turn its head, track people and gesture with its arms. Future versions are planned to use bionic muscles instead of servo motors for facial changes.
The demonstration fits a broader push toward expressive robots. A 2023 study in Frontiers found robots displaying facial expressions matching a conversation's emotional tone were rated more likable, trustworthy and human-like.
Other recent robotics news points to a similar focus on practical and social tasks. At CES 2026, LG showed the CLOiD robot folding and sorting laundry, WIRobotics' Allex can hold objects up to 6.6 lbs and make recognizable hand gestures, and SwitchBot's Onero H1 won a best robot in show award for loading a washing machine. At Beijing's second annual World Humanoid Robot Games, the Tiangong Ultra ran the 100-meter dash in 9.39 seconds. Japan Airlines began testing an android baggage handler at Haneda Airport in May, and 1X's NEO home robot is priced at $20,000 and initially requires human teleoperators.
Quick answers
What is the Yansyn-X2?
The Yansyn-X2 is a humanoid robot developed by Yanxi Technology, a Chinese robotics firm based in Ningbo.
How does the Yansyn-X2 cry?
It uses a three-layer architecture: an AI algorithm to analyze conversational context and tone, bionic components beneath a medical-grade silicone face, and a microfluidic system that dispenses tears.
What can the current Yansyn-X2 do?
The current model is static. It can turn its head, track people and gesture with its arms.