• CN: 11-2187/TH
  • ISSN: 0577-6686

Journal of Mechanical Engineering ›› 2025, Vol. 61 ›› Issue (15): 121-147.doi: 10.3901/JME.2025.15.121

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Establishing a New Paradigm of Embodied Intelligence: A Review of the Current Status and Development Trends in Humanoid Robot Technology

TAO Yong1, WAN Jiahao1, WANG Tianmiao1, XIONG Youjun2, WANG Baicun3, ZHANG Wenbo4, DENG Changyi5, TAO Yu1, YANG Geng3, WEI Hongxing1   

  1. 1. School of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Beihang University, Beijing 100191;
    2. Beijing Embodied Intelligent Robot Innovation Center Co., Ltd., Beijing 100176;
    3. School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058;
    4. China International Engineering Consulting Corporation, Beijing 100006;
    5. National Industrial Information Security Development Research Center, Beijing 100040
  • Received:2024-10-31 Revised:2024-12-26 Published:2025-09-28

Abstract: The technology of humanoid robots is currently evolving rapidly, becoming a new focal point for global technological innovation and industrial upgrading. As an important representative of embodied intelligence, humanoid robots possess vast development potential and application prospects. Based on the multidisciplinary intersections, complex systems, and high levels of integration inherent in humanoid robot technology, this review synthesizes the latest research achievements and industry developments in this field, focusing on the current technological status and development trends of humanoid robots. First, the definition and developmental history of humanoid robots are introduced, describing the current status of development in both foreign and domestic contexts from the perspectives of technological level, industrial landscape, and policy support. A comparison and summary of the typical technological development characteristics and product features between domestic and international advancements are provided. Key core technologies are analyzed in detail, including critical components, environmental perception and scene understanding, gait control and dexterous manipulation, embodied intelligence and large models, human-robot collaboration and interaction, as well as operating systems and toolchains. The implementation pathways and current research progress of these technologies are discussed. Furthermore, typical applications of humanoid robots in specialized service environments, intelligent manufacturing, and household and social services are presented, exploring their expansion potential in emerging application areas. The main challenges faced by humanoid robot development are analyzed, focusing on technological bottlenecks and application difficulties. Finally, based on the development status of technologies and applications, an outlook on the trends in embodied intelligence represented by humanoid robots is provided, particularly in areas such as multimodal vertical large models, high-performance simulation training platforms, and safety and ethics. This review aims to summarize and grasp the dynamics of cutting-edge technological developments in humanoid robots domestically and internationally, while offering insights and references for those engaged in the research and development of humanoid robot technologies and products, thus contributing to the advancement and industrialization of humanoid robot technology in China.

Key words: humanoid robot, key technologies, dexterous manipulation, embodied intelligence, large model, human-robot collaboration, simulation training platform

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