On March 5, the Third Session of the 14th National People’s Congress commenced with the release of the 2025 Government Work Report, spotlighting “embodied intelligence” among emerging technological concepts. Recognized as a critical pathway toward artificial general intelligence, embodied intelligence represents a new high ground for global technological competition, a burgeoning industrial frontier, and a powerful engine for economic advancement.
Defined by the National Science and Technology Terms Commission as “an intelligent system relying on physical entities for perception and action,” embodied intelligence integrates artificial intelligence into physical carriers such as robots. This enables intelligent agents to interact with environments, acquire information, solve problems, make decisions, and execute tasks—demonstrating adaptive intelligence through real-world engagement.
While humanoid robots like the Spring Festival Gala’s “Yangge BOT” exemplify embodied intelligence, the technology extends beyond anthropomorphic forms. Recent years have witnessed extensive deployment of embodied robots across autonomous vehicles, surgical robotics, and unmanned aerial systems, driving transformation in multiple sectors. The core value lies in their environmental interaction capabilities, which distinguish them from conventional AI systems confined to digital realms.
Jiangsu Jitri Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd. exemplifies this transition from laboratory to marketplace. The company’s “Zhisonɡ Yiti Coffee Robot”—China’s first integrated coffee-making and delivery embodied robot—has secured multinational orders from Singapore and Spain. Over three years, approximately 6,000 units have been deployed in commercial centers and office buildings, signaling quiet integration into urban routines.
“Our coffee embodied robot features a robotic arm with ±0.02mm positioning precision, completing complex tasks like cup handling, brewing, and capping within 70 seconds—matching professional barista standards,” stated Luo Minzhou, Chairman of Jitri Intelligent Manufacturing. He emphasized the learning and adaptability crucial to embodied intelligence: “Its modular design and flexible navigation allow seamless operation across diverse environments, from shopping malls to high-rise offices.”
At December 2024’s World Intelligent Manufacturing Conference, Jitri unveiled a semi-humanoid service embodied robot targeting elderly care, home companionship, and medical education. This development signals imminent expansion into domestic applications, further embedding embodied robots in daily experiences.
Policy frameworks accelerate this adoption. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released the “Robot+” Application Implementation Plan and the Guiding Opinions on Humanoid Robot Innovation and Development. Jiangsu Province responded with the Robot Industry Innovation and Development Action Plan, creating fertile ground for industrial scaling.
Substantive projects underscore this momentum. In June 2024, UBTech broke ground on its Embodied Intelligence Robot Industrial Park and Youqi Intelligent Headquarters in Wuxi Economic Development Zone, establishing a production hub for next-generation humanoid embodied robots. By September, Suzhou launched its “Artificial Intelligence+” Innovation Development Experimental Zone Action Plan, prioritizing embodied intelligence across 15 sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. The blueprint targets $42 billion (RMB 300 billion) in AI-related industries by 2027, with embodied robots as strategic pillars.
Industry analysts observe that embodied robots uniquely bridge digital intelligence and physical execution. Unlike software-based AI, these systems navigate unstructured environments through sensor fusion and real-time decision-making. Autonomous delivery robots in warehouses, precision surgical arms in operating theaters, and agricultural monitoring drones all demonstrate how embodied intelligence translates algorithmic predictions into tangible outcomes.
Technical advancements focus on three dimensions enhancing embodied robots:
- Multimodal perception: Combining visual, tactile, and auditory inputs for environmental understanding
- Adaptive learning: On-site calibration for dynamic scenarios without reprogramming
- Human-robot collaboration: Intuitive interfaces enabling seamless teamwork with human operators
These innovations expand deployment beyond controlled factories into complex public spaces.
Market projections reflect expansive growth. International robotics associations forecast global shipments of service embodied robots will exceed 1.2 million units annually by 2028, with logistics and hospitality sectors driving adoption. In healthcare, surgical embodied robots are projected to perform 15% of minimally invasive procedures worldwide within five years.
Despite progress, challenges persist in cost reduction, safety certification, and public acceptance. Standardization bodies are developing specialized evaluation frameworks for embodied robots, addressing unique requirements like fall prevention for humanoid models and ethical protocols for assistive devices in sensitive environments such as elder care facilities.
The trajectory remains decisively upward. As Luo Minzhou notes, “Embodied robots represent the physical incarnation of AI—not just processing data, but transforming it into action. What began in research labs now brews coffee in office lobbies and will soon assist families in their homes.” With continuous policy support and industrial maturation, embodied intelligence transitions from speculative research to indispensable infrastructure, redefining how humans interact with intelligent machines.