Humanoid Robots: Popcorn, Boxing & 2025 RoboWorld Preview

Humanoid Robots Take Center Stage at 2025 Robo World, Showcasing Future of Automation

The future of robotics was on full display at the ‘2025 Robo World’ exhibition held in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, this week, with humanoid robots leading the charge in innovation across service, manufacturing, and even entertainment sectors. The event, hosted in Halls 1 and 2 of KINTEX Exhibition Hall 1, highlighted advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous driving, and logistics, but it was the increasingly sophisticated capabilities of human-like robots that captured the most attention.

Popcorn & Precision: Neuromeca’s ‘Nami’ Ushers in a New Era of Service Robotics

One of the most striking demonstrations came from Neuromeca, whose service-type humanoid robot, ‘Nami,’ efficiently served popcorn to attendees. The robot’s ability to recognize a presented cup, fill it with popcorn, and hand it back demonstrated a leap beyond simple motion control, focusing instead on natural user interaction and safe operation in a public setting. Observers noted that with a slight increase in speed, these robots could potentially replace human workers in roles like movie theater concessions.

Neuromeca showcased a range of robotic solutions alongside Nami, including ultra-light actuators optimized for humanoids, the ultra-light collaborative robot Opti3, the 30kg high payload robot Nuri30, and advanced collision avoidance technology. The company unveiled ‘Opti 3,’ touted as the world’s lightest collaborative robot with a 3 kg payload capacity, aiming to set a new standard for safety and precision in industrial environments, according to a company official.

Beyond Service: AI-Powered Robots Demonstrate Cognitive Abilities

The exhibition wasn’t limited to practical applications; robots also showcased impressive cognitive abilities. A-Robot’s humanoid robot ‘Alice 4’ engaged visitors in a game of dice, demonstrating decision-making skills powered by a Large Language Model (LLM). “Alice 4 is equipped with a Large Language Model (LLM) so that it can make decisions and act on its own, so it can communicate naturally with people,” explained ARobot Chief Technology Officer Jaekwon Han. After winning a rematch against a spectator, Alice 4 even offered a glass of water, showcasing a level of interaction previously unseen in robotic demonstrations.

Adding to the appeal, A Robot’s companion robot ‘Eddie’ charmed attendees with its dog-like behavior and emotive responses. Covered in soft white fur, Eddie follows people, reacts to touch with changing facial expressions on its screen – a smiling face when stroked, a ‘heart’ shape when its cheek is touched – and can move with varying speeds.

From Boxing Bots to Voice-Activated Cooking: A Diverse Showcase of Robotic Prowess

The breadth of robotic innovation extended beyond humanoid interactions. Unitree Robotics and Roas presented a captivating display of their second-generation ‘Humanoid G1’ robots competing in a boxing match, drawing large crowds. The robots, equipped with headgear and boxing gloves, engaged in a surprisingly realistic bout, complete with visible impacts.

Koras Robotics demonstrated a voice-activated cooking robot, responding to commands like “ketchup” by precisely dispensing sauce. The robot’s adaptable ‘gripper’ allowed it to handle various tasks, from frying to carefully moving delicate snacks. Meanwhile, Samhyun unveiled Korea’s first mass-produced ‘High Load Autonomous Robot (HAMR),’ capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 km per hour – significantly faster than traditional automated guided vehicles.

Enhancing Human Capabilities: Wearable Robots and Collaborative Automation

The exhibition also highlighted robots designed to augment human capabilities. The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials showcased a wearable robot, or strength support suit, that enabled a demonstrator to easily lift a 12kg box. “In the future, it will protect the health of physical workers…and can also add to the strength of humanoid robots, so it can develop into a ‘robot that wears a robot,’” stated Park Cheol-hoon, a senior researcher at the institute.

Manufacturing companies like Yujin Robot and Brills presented collaborative robots designed to increase efficiency in industrial settings. Yujin Robot’s physical AI robot successfully responded to voice commands, accurately retrieving a remote control from a cluttered table. Brills exhibited a range of 6-axis collaborative robots suitable for both small and large-scale production lines, while Now Robotics and T-Robotics showcased robots designed to automate repetitive tasks and streamline logistics.

The ‘2025 Robo World’ exhibition underscored a pivotal moment in robotics, demonstrating not only the technological advancements but also the growing potential for robots to seamlessly integrate into various aspects of daily life and industry.