It’s all too easy to overuse the superlatives when talking about tech, but we may well be witnessing yet another profound technological revolution: the fusion of artificial intelligence with physical forms, generally known as ‘advanced robotics’. As embodied AI rapidly advances across various sectors, we are standing at a critical juncture where intelligent machines are increasingly capable of not just processing information but interacting with and manipulating the physical world. This convergence promises to reshape our society in ways both exciting and challenging.

The Current State of Embodied AI

Embodied Artificial Intelligence (EAI) brings together AI, robotics, and bioengineering to create systems that transcend mere information processing. The fundamental concept is compelling: true intelligence requires physical and social interactions, not just computational power. Recent developments show that embodiment enables tangible robots to understand and adapt to complex environments through physical engagement.

There are probably more types of EAI than many might think: just some examples being:

• Humanoid Robots: These robots are designed to resemble humans and can engage in conversations, mimic human expressions, and interact naturally with people. LifeArchitect has a useful overview – and their physical capabilities are getting very impressive..
• Industrial and Collaborative Robots: Collaborative robots (cobots) work alongside humans in manufacturing, demonstrating advanced data interpretation and real-time decision-making abilities.
• Quadrupedal Robots: Robots like Boston Dynamics’ Spot are designed for stability and versatility, capable of navigating rough terrain and performing tasks such as patrolling factories or working in hazardous environments.
• Autonomous Vehicles: Self-driving cars, such as those developed by Tesla and BYC, use AI to enhance safety and navigation in complex environments – and are getting closer to true autonomy.
• Surgical Robots: These robots enable precise and minimally invasive medical procedures, allowing for enhanced patient care and recovery.
• Space Exploration Robots: Robots like NASA’s Robonaut 2 are designed to work alongside humans in space, featuring advanced sensors and dexterous hands for performing complex tasks.
• Social and Service Robots: Robots that are used in customer service, education, and healthcare, recognising human emotions and engaging in conversations to provide personalised support.

Jensen Huang’s keynote at NVIDIA’s GTC 2025 last week highlighted significant advancements in humanoid and personal robotics, marking another shift towards ever-more versatile and capable robots. He introduced NVIDIA Isaac GR00T N1, an open-source foundation model designed for humanoid robots, which enables advanced perception, reasoning, and action capabilities. Huang asserted that “the age of generalist robotics is here,” predicting widespread use of humanoid robots in manufacturing within five years, with leasing costs making them economically viable. While not explicitly mentioned, these advancements point us to potential future applications in household tasks and personal assistance.

So where is this all taking us?

Near-Term Outlook (1-2 Years)

In the immediate future, we can expect significant advancements in robotic process automation across manufacturing. AI will continue drive automation that improves production efficiency and reduces costs. Autonomous vehicle technologies will continue advancing with more sophisticated sensing capabilities and improved decision-making in real-world environments.

Military applications are progressing rapidly, too. Sir Nick Carter, the chief of the British Army, predicts robots could constitute a quarter of soldiers by the 2030s, which underscores the need to answer many complex questions about the ethical frameworks governing autonomous systems in security contexts.

Medium-Term (3-5 Years)

Looking further ahead, we can anticipate more sophisticated human-robot collaboration across industries. Evolutionary ‘soft robotics’ will likely produce machines that adapt their behaviour based on environmental feedback without human intervention. These robots will blend sensing, mechanics, and control within flexible structures, making them more resilient and capable of self-improvement.

In aerospace, AI will revolutionise operations through enhanced satellite functionality, autonomous spacecraft navigation, and advanced manufacturing processes. These technologies will increase efficiency, precision, and safety while enabling more sophisticated systems.

Longer-Term Projections (6-10 Years)

It always more difficult to look further ahead but based on the current trajectory, humanoid robotics is expected to experience significant growth and transformation. The global market for humanoid robots could reach $38 billion by 2035, according to Goldman Sachs, representing a substantial increase from previous estimates. This growth will be driven by widespread adoption in manufacturing facilities, where humanoid robots are predicted to become increasingly common. Jensen Huang’s vision of generalist robotics promises machines that will be capable of performing a wide range of tasks, potentially substituting a significant portion of labour across many – if not all – industries.

Eclipsing Goldman Sachs’s forecast, research by ARK Invest suggests the global market for humanoid robots could be worth up to $24 trillion by 2035, based on their potential to operate at scale in both household and manufacturing settings. This transformative technology will likely reshape labour markets and address critical societal challenges, making it a pivotal area of development in the coming decade.

Robots and the Aging Population Challenge

Perhaps one of the most striking promises of embodied AI is its potential to address the demographic challenge of an aging population. Socially assistive robots (SARs) offer potential solutions for elderly care by providing companionship, cognitive stimulation, and physical support.

Studies have demonstrated that these robots can alleviate loneliness and depression in older adults while improving cognitive functioning and overall well-being. They can support individuals with dementia, reducing agitation and improving socialisation, while assisting with mobility and exercise routines to prevent falls and health complications.

Cultural Perspectives on Embodiment

The global response to embodied AI reveals important cultural divides that will shape its adoption. Japan stands out as particularly receptive to robotic integration, with philosophical traditions that embrace technology in ways Western societies often resist. This isn’t merely academic – it translates into practical differences in implementation and public acceptance.

What makes the Japanese approach distinctive is its foundation in concepts like community harmony and animistic traditions that attribute souls to objects. These cultural elements create a fundamentally different conceptual framework for human-machine relationships. While Western perspectives typically maintain rigid boundaries between human and technological domains, viewing machines very much as ‘others’, Japanese culture offers a more fluid integration that may prove advantageous as embodied AI becomes increasingly prevalent in daily life.

Balancing Benefits and Risks

The profound capabilities of embodied AI present society with a double-edged sword that demands careful consideration. The potential benefits are substantial and far-reaching: unprecedented productivity gains across industrial sectors, dramatic risk reduction for humans in hazardous environments, comprehensive support systems for aging populations, and transformative capabilities in space exploration and colonization. These advantages alone would justify significant investment and development.

Yet we cannot embrace these technologies without acknowledging their profound challenges. The militarisation of embodied AI systems – both for defensive and offensive use – raises fundamental questions about the ethical boundaries of automated warfare, with leading AI researchers and defence specialists advocating for robust international frameworks that maintain meaningful human oversight in lethal decision contexts. Equally concerning are the socioeconomic implications of widespread workforce transformation, the potential for technology-mediated social isolation, and the complex philosophical questions surrounding machine autonomy and decision-making authority. These matters transcend technical considerations to touch upon core aspects of human dignity, social cohesion, and governance structures in democratic societies.

The New Reality

As embodied AI continues its rapid evolution, society must be actively engaged in shaping its development and implementation. The technology’s potential to address pressing challenges like elderly care must be balanced against thoughtful consideration of its broader implications. By fostering open dialogue between technologists, policymakers, and the public, we can guide embodied AI toward outcomes that enhance human flourishing while mitigating potential harms.

The future of embodied AI isn’t just about what machines can do—it’s about what kind of future we want to create. For forward-thinking individuals and organisations, this represents an important opportunity to reimagine processes, services, and solutions in ways that benefit humanity.