BERLIN, September 8, 2026 — One of the clearest trends at IFA 2026 was the growing autonomy of robots. Rather than keeping their products confined to staged demonstrations, some exhibitors brought robots into the aisles and invited visitors to experience them firsthand. A number of those interactions translated directly into orders.
Among the many robotic products on display, the crowds around Vbot’s booth were particularly striking. Vbot SuperDog, nicknamed “Babo,” spent the show surrounded by visitors and media testing its capabilities. At the same time, several European distributors signed purchase agreements at the booth, making it one of the event’s most closely watched products.
Babo was developed by Vita Dynamics, the embodied-intelligence company behind the Vbot brand, which focuses on robotic products designed for everyday living spaces. Its appeal lies in combining entertainment with practical utility. Without a remote control, it can autonomously follow its owner. With a maximum payload of 12 kg and an expandable back panel, it can carry groceries or outdoor equipment and can even pull a small camping wagon. When equipped with an action camera, it can also serve as a mobile personal camera operator.
According to Vbot’s on-site team, the robot’s following and obstacle-avoidance capabilities are enabled by a combination of LiDAR and ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning. No programming or complex setup is required before use.
European media showed strong interest in the product throughout IFA. In the exhibition hall’s crowded aisles, Babo followed users steadily and navigated around oncoming foot traffic on its own. When called, it responded through voice, facial expressions and movement.
Several journalists noted that, while many robots at the show remained demonstration units confined to their booths, Babo was already a mature consumer product available for people to take home. “The robot dogs I have covered in the past were bought by universities and power companies,” said one UK technology editor at the event. “This is the first time I have seen retailers discussing purchase orders for one at the booth.”
A German technology blogger added: “In Berlin, many people walk home carrying a week’s worth of groceries. A robot dog that carries your bags and follows you is not a gimmick here.”
The attention quickly translated into business. According to a Vbot representative at the show, 16 international partners signed purchase agreements with the company during IFA, generating new orders for more than 5,000 quadruped robots. The partnerships cover key European markets including Germany, France and the United Kingdom.
Babo had already attracted attention at CES earlier this year and has become a breakout product in China. When pre-orders opened in December 2025, it received 6,540 orders, representing nearly RMB 100 million (approximately US$15 million) in sales. It currently ranks first in the consumer robot dog category on JD.com, one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms.
Strong demand in China, combined with expansion into Europe and other international markets, has continued to drive sales. As of September 8, 2026, cumulative global sales of Vbot quadruped robots had exceeded 13,000 units across 15 countries and regions. By cumulative unit sales, Babo is now the world’s best-selling consumer robot dog.
European consumers are eager to try new technology, but they also expect robots to provide meaningful help in everyday life. As products like Babo become easier to experience and purchase through local retailers, consumer robots that combine personality with practical value could become a compelling new choice for more households—and open the door to a much broader market.
