Humanoid robots could become capable of handling a much wider range of tasks through simple spoken instructions as robot intelligence continues to improve. A Chinese robotics company expects a significant advance in this area by the middle of 2027.

The company is focusing on improving the software that controls robots and helps them understand their surroundings. Its robots are already being used for certain tasks on production lines, while researchers are working to make them better at handling complex physical activities.

The development of embodied artificial intelligence is moving quickly, although experts say household use remains more difficult because robots must deal with unpredictable environments and detailed physical tasks. Safety and reliable control also remain important areas of development.