Core Insights - The 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) showcased advancements in humanoid robots, which are evolving from data collection and research tools to more interactive and capable machines [2][6] - The Robotics X lab, led by Zhang Zhengyou, has developed the Tairos embodied intelligence platform, which allows robots to operate without remote control and interact based on algorithms [2][7] - The industry is at a critical juncture, with expectations for large-scale deployment of humanoid robots in industrial settings within the next couple of years, particularly in roles like material handling [9][10] Industry Developments - Humanoid robots demonstrated new capabilities at WAIC, including boxing, drumming, and performing tasks in various environments, indicating a shift towards more practical applications [2][3] - The Robotics X lab has not yet commercialized its research but remains influential in the field, focusing on collaboration with hardware manufacturers to enhance embodied intelligence technology [6][7] - The industry is seeing a rise in companies developing humanoid robots, with a notable emphasis on addressing labor shortages in industrial applications [9][10] Technological Challenges - Current humanoid robots primarily utilize visual language action (VLA) models, which are still in the early stages and lack comprehensive 3D world understanding [10][11] - There is a need for advancements in tactile and force perception to improve the robots' operational capabilities in real-world environments [11] - The supply chain for humanoid robots is not yet standardized, leading to variations in product parameters and design requirements across different applications [11]