Embodied AI drives next wave of intelligent innovation

China has become one of the fastest-growing markets for embodied artificial intelligence (AI) in the world, a latest report said.

At the upcoming 2026 World Internet Conference Digital Silk Road Development Forum, researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong University's Institute of Robotics and international representatives will discuss how embodied AI is advancing the next generation of intelligent robots.

The institute is exploring embodied AI through a range of robotic systems designed for different real-world scenarios, including humanoid robots, mobile manipulator robots and collaborative robots.

Researchers at the institute are developing an architecture that combines a multimodal foundation model with edge-based embodied AI models, enabling robots with different forms to share intelligence while adapting to specialized tasks.

The institute is also advancing technologies in robotic perception, motion control, dexterous manipulation and lightweight structural design - supporting the development of intelligent robots for increasingly complex industrial environments.

As AI continues to expand into the physical world, intelligent robotics is creating new opportunities for industrial innovation. These developments will be showcased at discussions on AI and intelligent technologies at the 2026 WIC Digital Silk Road Development Forum.

The forum will take place in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, on July 21 and 22, under the theme "Pooling Intelligence on the Silk Road, Embarking on a Digital Future-Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace".