From elder care to industrial automation, humanoid robots are redefining their role in society, as highlighted at this year's Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley emphasized the dual-edged nature of robotics during a panel discussion, stating: "Functionality must remain the core value—these technologies can revolutionize elder care but require safeguards against overreliance."
Chen Jianyu, founder of Robot Era Technology, outlined current challenges in artificial intelligence integration, noting that "generalization capabilities of large models remain the critical bottleneck." He advocated for robots to serve as specialized assistants in high-risk environments, freeing humans for creative tasks.
The forum also addressed global governance gaps. Shipley urged APEC members to accelerate cross-border standardization efforts, particularly through existing mechanisms like the APEC Leaders’ Meeting. These discussions come as robotics investments in Asia surge, with the Chinese mainland alone reporting a 40% year-on-year increase in automation patents.
