On March 13, at the Appliance & Electronics World Expo 2026, Yang Xiangwen, head of Mova’s white goods division, unveiled a new product called Airbot. The compact device functions as both a mobile air conditioner and what the company describes as a spatial terminal for smart climate control. Its introduction drew attention at the event and raised questions about whether there’s room to reshape how air conditioning systems are used.
While many traditional white goods manufacturers continue to compete through promotions and price cuts, Mova is experimenting with a different approach. With Airbot, it is attempting to challenge longstanding assumptions about how air conditioning systems are installed and used by introducing a freely mobile cooling device.
Historically, the installation point of an air conditioner has shaped how people use indoor space. Cool air from a unit in the living room rarely reaches the bedroom, and cooling from a study seldom extends to areas such as balconies. This fixed model often clashes with the flexible living patterns common among younger households.
Airbot addresses this limitation by separating the air conditioner from the wall and turning it into a mobile unit. Equipped with a human tracking sensor, the device can locate users in real time and move toward them using omnidirectional wheels at its base. The system directs airflow toward the user, allowing cooling to follow the person through different parts of a home.
The design may appeal to renters who cannot install permanent air conditioning units. It could also reduce the need for multiple systems in large homes or open-plan spaces. In theory, a single device could move between rooms rather than requiring a separate unit for each area.
In residential environments, Airbot can travel between living rooms, bedrooms, studies, balconies, gardens, and courtyards. The system is designed to adjust its cooling settings automatically based on the surrounding environment, reducing the need to install dedicated air conditioners in spaces such as kitchens or bathrooms.
In commercial settings, the device could operate in offices, retail stores, and exhibition halls, where localized cooling may be useful. Outdoors, it may provide temporary cooling during activities such as camping or fishing, according to the company.
Yang said Airbot is intended to transform air conditioners from what he described as a “spatial accessory” into a scenario-based component of everyday environments. According to him, this shift could change how consumers think about air conditioning.
Industry observers told 36Kr that Airbot may represent an early version of a broader product category. Mova is reportedly exploring additional spatial climate solutions. Future systems, according to these observers, could adjust airflow paths based on building layouts or maintain balanced temperature and humidity across an entire home without requiring manual adjustments.
Another notable aspect of Airbot is its interaction model. Instead of relying solely on direct user commands, the system is designed to sense environmental conditions, make decisions, and execute actions autonomously.
Autonomy in robotics generally refers to a closed loop that combines perception, decision-making, and action without constant external input. Mova said Airbot demonstrates this capability in three areas:
- Perception: Airbot’s sensor system collects environmental data and analyzes it using algorithms that identify behavioral patterns and potential user needs. For example, if the system detects that a user repeatedly turns off the air conditioner around 10 p.m, it can learn this routine and automatically switch to sleep mode at the same time in the future.
- Decision-making: Airbot runs on an artificial intelligence platform with local computing capabilities. According to the company, the device processes environmental data on the unit itself rather than relying entirely on cloud servers. This design may reduce response time and limit the amount of user data transmitted externally.
- Execution: The system can adjust airflow temperature, wind speed, and direction automatically. In future iterations, it may also reposition itself within a space to deliver cooling where it is needed most, according to Mova.
This approach differs from conventional smart air conditioners, which typically respond only to commands issued through remote controls or mobile apps. Airbot is designed to interpret patterns and adjust its behavior accordingly.
Another feature highlighted by the company is its learning capability. Mova said the system’s algorithms improve over time as they analyze user behavior. Each device functions as a localized learning terminal, gradually adapting to its owner’s habits.
The company also said that anonymized feature data could be shared across devices to improve system performance while protecting personal information. Some industry insiders compare the concept to Tesla’s autonomous driving data network, where aggregated data helps refine system performance across a fleet.
At its core, Airbot rethinks how temperature control operates across different environments. As a mobile air conditioning robot, it blends characteristics of home appliances with those of autonomous systems.
As sensing technologies and local computing capabilities improve, more household appliances may incorporate robotic features. Devices that integrate terminal functionality with autonomous operation could become more common, interacting with both users and their surroundings.
KrASIA features translated and adapted content that was originally published by 36Kr. This article was written by Xiao Xi for 36Kr.