Humanoid Robots and AI Vision Are Transforming Manufacturing

At first glance, this year’s edition of Vision, Robotics & Motion may have seemed familiar to returning visitors, with rows of robotic arms, grippers, and automation platforms geared toward the manufacturing industry. But a closer look revealed a quiet yet profound shift: the rise of advanced AI vision and the growing presence of humanoid robots.

Held in Den Bosch, the event showcased the increasing integration of machine vision and artificial intelligence. Demonstrations on the exhibition floor illustrated how robots are evolving beyond executing predefined tasks—they are now interpreting visual data in real time. From handling transparent plastics to manipulating fragile items like eggs and fruit, the robots displayed an ability to adapt to varied and complex environments.

These capabilities are powered by increasingly sophisticated AI vision systems, combined with adaptive grippers. By processing visual input through software, robots can autonomously determine the optimal grip for different materials. This enhances their flexibility and effectiveness in dynamic production settings.

Still, the biggest crowd-puller this year was the emergence of humanoid robots. For the first time, these human-like machines were not just experimental prototypes on display, but serious candidates for industrial deployment. At the Rocking Robots booth, a Unitree humanoid robot—supplied by Smartrobot.solutions—attracted significant attention. It served as a symbol of a broader theme within the conference: the economic implications of humanoid automation.

As part of the event’s conference program, Rocking Robots hosted a dedicated lecture track focused on these themes. In this report, Marco van der Hoeven, editor-in-chief of Rocking Robots, reflects on the key developments and insights from VRM 2025.