Global experts chart future of humanoid robotics at CIIE forum

A forum on humanoid robot innovation and collaboration was held on Wednesday during the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, highlighting China's emerging position in the global humanoid robotics sector and worldwide breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and robotics technology.

The forum brought together industry experts and leaders to discuss achievements and key challenges facing the sector, including data scarcity in rapid skill iteration and the need to transition from technological demonstrations to practical applications.

"We are at a critical juncture where technology is reshaping our future," said Zhang Feng, president of the China Humanoid Robotics Committee of 100 and secretary of the Party committee of the board of directors of the Chinese Institute of Electronics. "Humanoid robots are increasingly integrating into human activities as comprehensive platforms combining perception, decision-making, and execution capabilities."

Zhang noted China's expanding robotics capabilities, evidenced by over 50 companies showcasing more than 100 products at the 2025 World Robot Conference, demonstrating applications ranging from precision handling to industrial analysis.

Wang Xingxing, founder and chairman of robot company Unitree Robotics Co Ltd, has estimated that Chinese intelligent robotics companies would see average growth rates of 50-100 percent this year. "The data shows that China's industrial robot exports alone have surged by over 51 percent, which boosts my confidence," Wang said, crediting supportive government policies and technological innovations.

Comparing current embodied AI development to pre-ChatGPT stages, Wang outlined the next milestone: achieving 80 percent success in completing unfamiliar tasks through natural language commands without prior training.

"When a robot can independently fulfill requests like 'fetch a glass of water', that will mark the world's leading embodied AI model," he said.

Dennis Hong, UCLA's robotics & mechanisms laboratory founding director, provided international context, emphasizing the practical necessity of humanoid design for human environments. "For robots to live with us in this environment, they need to be human-sized and human-shaped," Hong said, while also encouraging innovation beyond conventional humanoid designs.

Hong shared his laboratory's achievements, which include "ARTEMIS", a highly stable, fast-running humanoid robot that won the RoboCup soccer championship, and the innovative balloon-based robot "Ballu", which offers a safer alternative to traditional robot designs.

"As a roboticist, I've always tried to make robots move; but as an artist, I strive to make robots move us," said Hong.

Li Zelong, Shanghai Municipal Government's deputy secretary-general, detailed the city's sector initiatives, including a comprehensive innovation ecosystem and a virtual-physical fusion training facility.

While acknowledging persistent challenges in data quality and practical implementation, experts expressed optimism about breakthrough developments in the near future during the discussion sessions.

The forum was jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and Ministry of Commerce, with organization by the Chinese Institute of Electronics, the China Humanoid Robotics Committee of 100, and the Robotics Society of the Chinese Institute of Electronics.