World Robot Conference unveils future trends of embodied intelligent robots

The ongoing 2025 World Robot Conference (WRC) has unveiled research into the future development trends of embodied intelligent robots.

The findings were compiled in a report titled "10 Trends of Embodied Intelligent Robots 2025", which was released during the opening ceremony of the conference in Beijing on Friday.

Embodied intelligent robots refer to models that can achieve high levels of interaction with the environment and enhance their autonomous adaptability through integrated perception, decision-making, and execution. Experts believe they hold potential applications in a range of complex environments and operations.

The newly-released report highlights embodied cognition as being driven by the synergy of physical practice, physical simulators and world models, while also emphasizing the role of multimodal large models in enhancing embodied decision-making.

It outlines trends in key fields such as embodied intelligent control, AI-powered robot design, software and hardware consistency, robot manufacturing, and large-scale and high-quality datasets.

Other highlighted areas of ongoing research include robot swarms, collaborative work with humans, safety assessments and ethical development of the technology.

The details of the report were shared by Qiao Hong, president of the World Robot Cooperation Organization (WRCO), during the opening ceremony.

Speaking to a reporter on the expo floor, she reiterated that advancements in our understanding of the human brain may help drive further development in intelligent robotics.

"We hope to expand embodied intelligence towards broader and more advanced applications across society. In the past, robots were largely designed for specialized tasks. In the future, if we integrate mathematics and neuroscience with their systems, the robots can both generalize and excel in performance. They should serve the needs of society," said Qiao, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and also director of the State Key Laboratory of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Systems.

Also announced at the opening ceremony were the 10 most promising application scenarios for humanoid robots.

The identified scenarios encompass general industrial operations, automotive manufacturing, 3C product manufacturing, shipbuilding, petrochemical production inspection, power generation, emergency response operations, commercial services, home services and agricultural production.

According to the China Institute of Electronics, these scenarios are driving positive impacts across industries, along with the advances in humanoid technologies and product iterations.

Co-organized by the China Institute of Electronics and the World Robot Cooperation Organization, the five-day WRC is themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent."

The event showcases over 1,500 exhibits from more than 200 leading robotics companies from around the world.

World Robot Conference unveils future trends of embodied intelligent robots

World Robot Conference unveils future trends of embodied intelligent robots

World Robot Conference unveils future trends of embodied intelligent robots

World Robot Conference unveils future trends of embodied intelligent robots

In his new year's call to world leaders, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged world leaders to get "priorities straight" and invest in development, not destruction.

"As we enter the new year, the world stands at a crossroads. Chaos and uncertainty surround us. Division. Violence. Climate breakdown. And systemic violations of international law. A retreat from the very principles that bind us together as a human family. People everywhere are asking: Are leaders even listening? Are they ready to act?" Guterres said in his New Year message for 2026.

The scale of global suffering remains severe. More than one-quarter of humanity lives in conflict-affected areas, over 200 million people require humanitarian assistance, and nearly 120 million have been forcibly displaced by war, crises, disasters or persecution, according to UN statistics.

"As we turn the page on a turbulent year, one fact speaks louder than words: Global military spending has soared to 2.7 trillion dollars, growing by almost 10 percent. That is thirteen times more than all development aid, equivalent to the entire Gross Domestic Product of Africa. All, while conflict rages at levels unseen since World War II. On this new year, let's resolve to get our priorities straight. A safer world begins by investing more in fighting poverty and less in fighting wars," said the UN chief.

A UN report released in September 2025 showed that rising military spending comes at a high opportunity cost, noting that less than 4 percent of current global military expenditure could end world hunger by 2030, just over 10 percent could vaccinate every child worldwide, and reallocating 15 percent would be sufficient to cover annual climate adaptation costs in developing countries.

"Peace must prevail. It's clear the world has the resources to lift lives, heal the planet, and secure a future of peace and justice. In 2026, I call on leaders everywhere: Get serious. Choose people and planet over pain. And I urge everyone who hears this message: Play your part. Our future depends on our collective courage to act. This new year, let‘’s rise together: For justice. For humanity. For peace," he said.

UN chief issues New Year's call to world leaders for peace, development