In a significant move to advance the field of embodied intelligence and robotics, the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA) has officially established the Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute, with Wei Hongxing appointed as its inaugural dean. The announcement came during the 2025 World Robot Conference, where Wei Hongxing, also the Chairman of Aubo Intelligent and Deputy Director and Secretary-General of the Embodied Intelligence Professional Committee of the China Information Industry Association, highlighted the institute’s mission to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial demands. This development follows the inclusion of embodied intelligence and smart robots in the Chinese government work report for the first time in March, signaling national support for the robotics sector.
Wei Hongxing, in an exclusive interview, expressed his profound insights into the rapid evolution of the embodied intelligence landscape. He noted that the current wave of innovation in artificial intelligence and robotics is accelerating, driven by technological breakthroughs, capital investments, and heightened public interest. The establishment of the Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute at BUAA is a strategic response to this trend, aiming to cultivate leaders who can navigate the complexities of embodied intelligence and develop next-generation embodied robots. The institute will serve as a research and成果转化 unit, emphasizing a project-based education model that integrates multidisciplinary learning from undergraduate to doctoral levels.
The core philosophy of the institute revolves around addressing the industry’s need for comprehensive expertise in embodied intelligence. Wei Hongxing pointed out that many professionals in the field often have imbalanced knowledge structures, such as those focused solely on AI algorithms or mechanical hardware, which hinders the holistic development of embodied robots. By adopting a “project-based育人” approach, the institute will train students to possess full-stack capabilities in both software and hardware layers of robotics, ensuring they can transform theoretical research into practical products that meet market demands. This initiative is part of BUAA’s broader educational reforms, designed to produce graduates who are not only academically proficient but also industry-ready.
- Background and Rationale for the Institute
- Project-Based Education Model: A Novel Approach
- Key Features of the Talent Cultivation Strategy
- Future Directions and Industry Implications
The decision to found the Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute stems from the growing recognition of embodied intelligence as a critical frontier in technology. Embodied intelligence refers to systems where AI is integrated into physical entities, such as robots, enabling them to perceive, reason, and act autonomously in real-world environments. Unlike traditional robots that rely on pre-programmed instructions, embodied robots leverage multi-modal interactions to learn and adapt, making them ideal for applications ranging from manufacturing to healthcare. The Chinese government’s recent emphasis on smart robots in policy documents has further amplified the urgency for specialized institutions like BUAA’s institute to drive innovation.
Wei Hongxing elaborated that the institute will build upon BUAA’s longstanding legacy in robotics, which dates back to 1987 when the university’s Robotics Research Institute was founded by Zhang Qixian, a pioneer in spatial mechanisms and robotics in China. BUAA has consistently ranked among the top institutions globally for robotics engineering, with its programs earning A+ ratings and producing numerous experts in the field. The new institute will harness this expertise to tackle fundamental challenges in embodied intelligence, focusing on areas such as autonomous perception, decision-making, and execution in embodied robots. By aligning with national strategies, the institute aims to position China as a leader in the global race for advanced robotics.
The Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute will implement a unique “project-based育人” model, which represents a departure from conventional academic training. This approach involves recruiting high-achieving undergraduate students in their first year to join an eight-year integrated program spanning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral studies. Throughout this program, students will engage in hands-on projects that simulate real-world scenarios, fostering skills in robotics software, hardware, and system integration. The curriculum will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including machine learning, control systems, sensor technologies, and human-robot interaction, all tailored to the development of embodied intelligence.
Wei Hongxing emphasized that this model is designed to address the “short-legged” knowledge gaps often seen in the industry, where professionals excel in either algorithms or mechanics but lack a unified understanding. By immersing students in interdisciplinary projects, the institute will ensure they graduate with the ability to design, build, and deploy embodied robots that can perform complex tasks autonomously. For instance, students might work on projects involving embodied intelligence in automotive assembly lines, where robots must perceive their surroundings, make decisions, and execute precise actions without human intervention. This practical focus will not only enhance learning outcomes but also accelerate the commercialization of research成果.
Furthermore, the institute plans to collaborate closely with industry partners to refine this education model. Wei Hongxing mentioned that partnerships with leading robotics companies, such as Aubo Intelligent, will provide students with exposure to cutting-edge technologies and market needs. These collaborations may include joint ventures to develop new embodied robot products, ensuring that the institute’s outputs are directly applicable to industrial settings. The goal is to create a pipeline of talent that can drive innovation in embodied intelligence, from foundational research to product launch.
The Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute’s approach to talent development is characterized by three distinct features, as outlined by Wei Hongxing. First, the institute will prioritize original breakthroughs in underlying technologies for robotics. Unlike many organizations that rely on existing frameworks, BUAA’s institute will focus on achieving full autonomy and controllability in embodied intelligence systems. This includes pioneering work in operating systems, chips, communication buses, embodied intelligence models, and underlying architectures for embodied robots. By mastering these core components, the institute aims to reduce dependence on foreign technologies and foster homegrown innovation in the embodied intelligence sector.
Second, the institute will adopt a market-driven orientation, basing its research on actual application scenarios and customer needs. Wei Hongxing stressed the importance of avoiding “closed-door” development, where research becomes disconnected from practical use cases. Instead, the institute will engage with industries to identify real-world problems that embodied robots can solve, such as in manufacturing, logistics, or healthcare. For example, projects might explore how embodied intelligence can enhance efficiency in electric vehicle production or assist in elderly care facilities. This scenario-based approach will ensure that the developed embodied robots are not only technologically advanced but also commercially viable and socially beneficial.
Third, the institute will place a strong emphasis on cultivating engineering doctors. The initial cohort will consist of 30 students who will receive training centered on engineering practices. These students will tackle enterprise-commissioned projects, gaining experience in the entire lifecycle of embodied robot development—from conceptual design and prototyping to testing and deployment. The curriculum will integrate advanced topics in embodied intelligence, such as reinforcement learning for autonomous navigation and multi-sensor fusion for environmental perception. By focusing on engineering excellence, the institute aims to produce graduates who can lead teams in developing robust, scalable embodied intelligence solutions for global markets.
Looking ahead, Wei Hongxing expressed optimism about the rapid progression of embodied intelligence and its potential to transform various sectors. He predicted that 2025 could see the emergence of breakout smart robot products, though the specific applications remain uncertain. For humanoid robots, which represent a subset of embodied robots, he acknowledged that technological maturity is still evolving and will require sustained effort to overcome challenges in areas like balance, dexterity, and energy efficiency. The Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute will play a crucial role in addressing these gaps by fostering continuous innovation and adaptation.
The institute also plans to develop comprehensive courses and training systems for embodied intelligence, though Wei Hongxing noted that the field is in its early stages, necessitating flexibility in curriculum design. As new technologies emerge, the institute will update its teachings to incorporate the latest advancements in embodied intelligence, ensuring that students remain at the forefront of the industry. Additionally, the establishment of the Embodied Intelligence Professional Committee under the China Information Industry Association, which Wei Hongxing helps lead, will facilitate knowledge exchange and standardization across the sector. This committee will work on guidelines for embodied robot development, promoting best practices and ethical considerations.
In summary, the BUAA Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute represents a bold step toward nurturing the next generation of leaders in embodied intelligence. By combining academic rigor with industrial relevance, the institute aims to drive the development of intelligent, autonomous embodied robots that can address complex global challenges. As Wei Hongxing concluded, the journey toward mature embodied intelligence is long, but with focused efforts on education and innovation, China is poised to make significant contributions to this transformative field.
The launch of the institute has garnered attention from global robotics communities, highlighting the increasing importance of embodied intelligence in shaping the future of automation. With its strong foundation in robotics research and a clear vision for industry collaboration, BUAA is set to become a hub for embodied robot innovation. As the field evolves, the institute’s emphasis on original technology and practical applications will likely influence broader trends in AI and robotics, paving the way for smarter, more adaptive embodied robots that integrate seamlessly into daily life and industrial processes.
In the coming years, the Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute will expand its collaborations with international partners, fostering cross-border research on embodied intelligence. Wei Hongxing envisions that such efforts will not only advance technological frontiers but also address societal needs, such as labor shortages and aging populations, through the deployment of advanced embodied robots. The institute’s commitment to cultivating talent with a deep understanding of both theory and practice will ensure that the benefits of embodied intelligence are widely accessible, driving economic growth and improving quality of life worldwide.
As the embodied intelligence landscape continues to evolve, the BUAA institute will remain agile, adapting its programs to incorporate emerging trends like edge computing for real-time decision-making in embodied robots or ethical AI frameworks for safe human-robot collaboration. By staying attuned to industry dynamics and technological shifts, the institute aims to sustain its leadership in embodied intelligence education and research, ultimately contributing to a future where embodied robots are integral to solving complex global problems.