Highly capable humanoid models and special mission bots are among the advances in smart robotics currently being showcased at the 2025 World Robot Conference in the Chinese capital.
Running from Aug 8 to 12 in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town, the 2025 edition of the conference is being held under the theme "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent".
Standing 1.8 meters tall, the latest generation of Q series humanoid robots have surprised attendees with wide-ranging capabilities. The robots are able to complete tasks including inserting a USB charging cable into a charging slot, hanging a wrench, and picking apples. Impressively, they can even perform archery.
The series was developed by the Institute of Automation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which believes the robots can help meet China's needs in the aerospace and manufacturing industries.
The research team has already released five generations of the Q-series humanoid robots, achieving initial technical validation for industrial and agricultural applications. The sixth generation is also forthcoming.
"We are working to make the arms of the sixth generation of the robots very light, and studying how it can carry heavy loads. We have made many designs on the upper body of the robots, all of which are aimed at important applications in the China's industry and agriculture," said Qiao Hong, director of the State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Other models at the conference are showcasing functions that developers hope can someday support rescue and exploration missions, relying on highly flexible robotic arms and precise control systems.
"This robot is primarily designed to carry out work implemented by human upper limbs, with its core technology revolving around its hands. We are currently utilizing a dexterous hand design that combines tendon-like actuation with rigidity, achieving a rigid-flexible coupling. This allows the hand to perform more versatile movements while maintaining greater flexibility," said Wang Peng, a researcher from the Institute of Automation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
2025 World Robot Conference showcases highly capable humanoid models
2025 World Robot Conference showcases highly capable humanoid models
2025 World Robot Conference showcases highly capable humanoid models
