Smart Healthcare Steals the Show at Canton Fair
The 139th Canton Fair’s third phase opened on May 1 in Guangzhou. This year, the intelligent healthcare zone stands out as one of its most talked-about attractions. Surgical robots, brain-computer interface rehab devices, AI diagnostic tools, and capsule endoscopes are all on display. Together, they show how far China’s medical technology has come. Global buyers are taking notice — and many are lining up to see live demonstrations.
Furthermore, this is only the second time the Canton Fair has featured a dedicated intelligent healthcare zone. The first appeared during the 138th session in October 2025, under the “advanced manufacturing” theme. This time, smart healthcare features under the “better life” banner — a fitting shift in focus.
Orthopedic Robots Redefine Surgical Precision
One of the fair’s biggest draws is the HX Orthopaedic-Specific Robotic Arm from Yuanhua Robotics, Perception and AI Technologies Ltd. The company launched this product as a milestone in China’s medical equipment self-reliance. Li Aili, the company’s chairman, explained the significance clearly.
“From core components and the robotic arm body to the control system, algorithms, and clinical software — the entire chain is 100 percent independently controllable,” said Li. “It has completely broken foreign monopolies in this field.”
Moreover, the robotic arm uses AI-powered assistance during orthopedic surgery. Peng Tao, a clinical engineer at Yuanhua, noted that it helps young doctors gain surgical experience much faster. Therefore, it addresses a real gap in medical training and expertise distribution.
The Kunwu Five-in-One Breakthrough
Yuanhua also showcased the Kunwu Robotic Surgical System — a globally pioneering product that covers five major orthopedic procedures. These include knee, hip, unicompartmental knee, spine, and trauma surgeries. Notably, at the previous Canton Fair in October, this system handled only three procedure types. After six months of rapid development, it now handles five. This upgrade fills a worldwide gap in multi-indication orthopedic surgical robots.
Laparoscopic Robots Reduce Surgeon Workload
Shanghai MicroPort MedBot (Group) Co. presented its latest multi-port laparoscopic surgical robot system alongside a vascular intervention robot. The company has installed around 150 surgical robots worldwide. In total, these machines have completed over 22,000 surgeries.
Liu Jiayi, MedBot’s director of overseas marketing, highlighted the practical benefits. “These robots significantly reduce doctors’ repetitive manual labor,” she said. “They shorten operation time by 20 percent and lower overall workload.”
Remote Surgery Becomes Routine
Additionally, remote surgeries conducted through these robots have become standard practice. This development effectively addresses uneven distribution of medical resources across regions. As a result, patients in underserved areas can now access high-quality surgical care. Liu noted that Chinese surgical robot technology has matured and entered the commercialization stage — it is no longer experimental.
AI Powers Traditional Chinese Medicine
Meanwhile, an AI-powered traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic device attracted long queues of curious foreign buyers. Liu Yaoyao, a physician at Tianjin Medvalley Technology Co., explained the technology. The device performs an AI “pulse diagnosis” and combines it with facial and tongue analysis. Within just 30 seconds, it generates a detailed body constitution report. Consequently, ancient diagnostic traditions now work alongside modern artificial intelligence.
Capsule Gastroscopy Is Painless and Affordable
At the booth of Guangzhou Side Medical Technology Co., engineer Lu Wentong demonstrated a capsule slightly larger than a regular pill. This tiny device is redefining how gastroscopy works.
“Many people fear intubation and anesthesia,” Lu told the Global Times. “This capsule only requires swallowing with water. It contains a high-definition camera and can scan the entire stomach in about 15 minutes. The procedure is painless, non-invasive, and the capsule is naturally excreted afterward.”
A European buyer tested the device on-site. After swallowing the capsule, real-time stomach imagery appeared on a tablet screen. The AI system marked the examination coverage area automatically.
Lu also highlighted the capsule’s strong safety record. Global clinical data shows that the probability of the capsule not being excreted is approximately 0.0002 percent. Furthermore, the company has performed around 30,000 procedures worldwide with zero incidents. In Guangzhou, after medical insurance reimbursement, one examination costs only 600 to 800 yuan ($87.9 to $117.2). This makes the technology accessible to a wide population.
AI Imaging Models Expand Across the Globe
Hangzhou Diagens Biotechnology Co. brought its self-developed medical imaging AI foundation model to the fair. Yang Qian, the company’s product manager, said this model has won global innovation awards. It supports 19 imaging modalities and covers 90 percent of medical imaging scenarios. Additionally, it adapts to 3,285 types of medical imaging diagnosis projects used across China.
“The solution is already live in over 400 domestic medical institutions,” Yang explained. “We are currently engaging clients in the UK, Brazil, and other countries.” Therefore, Chinese AI medical imaging technology is moving quickly from domestic adoption to global deployment. Non-contact cardiac monitoring devices and intelligent moxibustion robots were also on display, further expanding the scope of smart healthcare on show.
Smart Healthcare Is Now a Practical Reality
The 139th Canton Fair makes one thing clear: Chinese smart healthcare is no longer a distant concept. From painless capsule gastroscopy to precise orthopedic surgical robots and rapid AI diagnostics, these innovations tackle real medical problems. They make complex procedures simpler, faster, and less frightening for patients. Moreover, they bring high-quality healthcare within reach of more people — across income levels and geographies alike. Li from Yuanhua summarized it well: surgical robots are no longer out-of-reach technology. Instead, they are practical tools that help realize a better life.
