Recently, a reporter from Science and Technology Daily participated in the biennial 2025 Munich Automation Exhibition in Germany, and deeply felt that automation technology is becoming more intelligent with the support of artificial intelligence (AI), driving continuous changes in industrial production and management. The integration of AI and robotics technology is accelerating in many fields, showcasing new ways of working and living in the future. Several companies have launched a new generation of humanoid robots, but based on on-site performance, there is still a lot of work to be done in terms of technology and practical applications for humanoid robots. Making automation technology smarter is the pillar of modern production and the engine of innovation. The displays of numerous exhibitors indicate that machines are increasingly taking on tasks that were considered too complex a few years ago. For example, Intrinsic, a subsidiary of Google, has introduced AI into the computer numerical control machine tool market. The machine tool management solutions launched by relevant manufacturers can use AI based perception technology to detect raw materials, and utilize automated motion and grasping planning functions to achieve automation of part picking and placement processes. Machine operators can manage processes, switch jobs, and import parts through a simple interface without the need for customized fixtures and robot programming. Machine vision is widely used in industrial quality control and process control, with over 130 exhibitors from the fields of machine vision and image processing at the exhibition. The organizer organized over 40 demonstrations on robot vision, AI vision, as well as visual components and solutions. For visual service providers, it is becoming increasingly important to provide 2D, 3D, line scan, and area scan camera technologies and their appropriate components. 3D visual perception sensors are becoming a key support for the new generation of intelligent hardware to achieve spatial perception and generalization operations. AI and digitization are constantly expanding the boundaries of traditional automation. For example, automation solutions help save resources and reduce emissions. The intelligent system that flexibly controls processes and optimizes energy consumption in real-time is no longer a distant prospect. In the field of new health technologies, such as laboratory automation, medical technology support, and optimization of healthcare logistics processes, diversity and social relevance have emerged around this theme. Although AI based robotics technology is not yet widely available, AI has made the use of robots simpler and more flexible. Many manufacturers have integrated generative AI into robot programming, such as through intuitive voice control, making automation solutions easier to obtain. Starting from collaborative robots, there are increasingly more robots on the market that can be used without professional knowledge. KUKA, a provider of intelligent automation solutions, aims to fundamentally redefine the control of robots and has launched a scalable and flexible robot operating system iiQKA.OS2. This software and controller platform combines artificial intelligence with visual systems, making robots more flexible without the need for complex programming. Kuka also collaborated with Microsoft to develop an AI chatbot that can convert natural language commands into program code. In addition, KUKA hopes to pave a relatively economical path for digital production of small and medium-sized enterprises through a new cloud platform. Japanese robot manufacturer Yaskawa Electric showcased the concept of a "dynamic safety zone". Robots can operate without the need for protective fences and ensure safety and high productivity. Only when people truly approach the work area, the relevant software will dynamically adjust the robot's movement, reduce speed or stop running. At the Let Humanoid Robots Learn from Each Other exhibition, German startup NEURA Robotics unveiled its humanoid robot 4NE1 Gen 3 in a high-profile manner. It is reported that this robot is nearly 1.8 meters tall and can lift heavy objects up to 100 kilograms. It has advanced AI technology and 360 degree all-round perception ability, and can safely cooperate with humans without the need for a safety cage. This robot, designed specifically for home, workplace, and service environments, is scheduled to be launched later this year. NEURA's ambitious goal is to deliver 5 million robots by 2030. Meanwhile, with the support of Vodafone, SAP, and Nvidia, NEURA has launched an open software platform. It is not only used to connect robots, but also to develop, distribute, and deploy robot applications through an app store. In this open robot ecosystem, robots can share the experiences they have learned from practical use cases. The developer's idea is that one robot can do what other robots can learn from. Relevant participants can contribute and sell their own modules and applications. Humanoid robots can provide new impetus for manufacturing automation. With technological advancements, these robots will become increasingly attractive to manufacturing companies. German car manufacturers are actively researching this issue. BMW tested the technology of Figure, an American humanoid robot company, at its factory in Spartanburg, California, USA. Mercedes Benz is also using Apollo humanoid robots from American supplier Apptronik at its digital production innovation center in Berlin. However, as of now, there are still many challenges related to the relatively new technology of humanoid robots in practical applications. At the German market exhibition, Chinese robot manufacturers such as Estun, KUKA, and Xinsong showcased their products and technologies on a large scale. An exhibitor from Estun Company told Science and Technology Daily reporters that Estun's robots have been put into battery assembly at the CATL factory in Erfurt, Germany. By vertically integrating the supply chain and highly automated operations, Eston can provide robots in a very economical way. Since 2014, China has been the world's largest robot market. In recent years, half of the robots sold globally have been installed in China. More than half of the listed companies in the supply chain of humanoid robots are from China. German startups also source components such as robotic arms and joints with built-in force sensors from China. This indicates that China has become a heavyweight global player in the fields of robotics and AI, and is expected to play an important role in shaping the future of intelligent robots. However, German media believes that Chinese robot manufacturers still have a long way to go before entering the German and European markets. Chinese manufacturers also need to learn and understand local standards, and dispel users' doubts about the reliability of local services. In addition, artificial intelligence is subject to strict regulation in Germany and Europe. For humanoid robots, there are still many unresolved issues, and people have many reservations about data security. (New Society)