Four innovation stories that are reshaping the world at VinFuture Week 2025

Within the framework of the VinFuture 2025 Science and Technology Week, on the morning of December 2, the event " Inspirational Speech: Breakthrough Technology of the Future " introduced four innovation stories that are reshaping the world - from smart robots, regenerative medicine to agriculture for the new era.

Four stories, four directions, converging in a common message: When science is guided by compassion, every invention becomes a bridge between knowledge, life and the future of humanity.

Robots that can "think"

The opening lecture by Professor Ho-Young Kim (Seoul National University) introduced artificial systems developed in his laboratory - where "intelligent behaviors" are formed entirely thanks to physical interactions between robots and their surrounding environment.

Professor Ho-Young Kim (Seoul National University).

Professor Ho-Young Kim brings a completely new paradigm in the field of robotics, in which matter is the agent of computation rather than silicon microchips, making intelligence manifest in the form and materials of robots.

This kind of “physical intelligence” is common in nature, as in ant colonies that build bridges and rafts through coordinated interactions between individuals; fungal germ tubes that navigate leaf pores by being guided by ridges or veins; and white blood cells that destroy invaders based on surface chemistry. However, this approach has only recently been tested in the field of robotics.

Soft artificial heart

The next presentation took the audience on a journey of a device that could change the way the medical industry simulates, prepares for, and treats cardiovascular disease, a field that claims more than 20 million lives each year. Associate Professor Do Thanh Nho (University of New South Wales, Australia) introduced a "soft, beating artificial heart" designed specifically for each patient, which can accurately reproduce the movement, pressure, and blood flow of a real heart.

Associate Professor, Dr. Do Thanh Nho introduces

Associate Professor, Dr. Do Thanh Nho introduces "soft artificial heart with beating".

This heart will help doctors find the right patients, conduct tests on new cardiovascular devices, rehearse complex surgeries and identify risks before entering the operating room, thereby significantly improving the safety and success rate of disease treatment.

Associate Professor Do Thanh Nho also mentioned the opportunities for collaboration to develop smarter and safer "soft robot hearts" that could help reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease. Together, we can reshape the way we understand and treat cardiovascular diseases and restore hope to every heartbeat.

With more than 12 international patents and many studies published by Reuters, Washington Post, and IEEE Spectrum, Associate Professor Dr. Do Thanh Nho is one of the most influential young scientists in the field of biomedical robotics. He brings to VinFuture 2025 the message: When technology reaches the depths of life, every invention can become an opportunity to save a heart.

Unlocking human potential with soft robots

A stroke can rob sufferers of the ability to hold hands, eat, or express love. But what if technology could help the brain heal itself, even when doctors say the recovery process is over?

Professor Raymond Tong (Chinese University of Hong Kong).

In his presentation, Professor Raymond Tong (Chinese University of Hong Kong) shared his journey from an engineer to an inventor, first announcing his work "Hand of Hope", a robotic exoskeleton that can "read" the patient's movement intentions and help them move again, retraining the brain through action.

He also introduced XoMuscle, a soft, strong, wearable, physiologically inspired artificial muscle that redefines rehabilitation – where patient comfort and dignity are at the center.

Through practical technology demonstrations and patient stories, Professor Tong leads us into a future where technology not only creates machines but also recreates human life.

Enfarm: Vietnamese technology contributes global voice

At the VinFuture 2025 Science and Technology Week, Enfarm shared how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming agriculture into a regenerative force for the planet. Through two innovative SaaS platforms – Enfarm App and Enfarm FM – the company has created opportunities for both farmers and businesses to make smarter, more sustainable choices.

Speech by Mr. Nguyen Do Dung, CEO of Enfarm.

The Enfarm App helps smallholder farmers monitor soil health, optimize fertilizer use, and improve yields with personalized AI recommendations, increasing yields by up to 30% while also reducing fertilizer use by up to 30%. This not only reduces costs and emissions, but also helps farmers meet sustainability standards, earning certifications based on fair trade and responsible production.

Meanwhile, Enfarm FM provides agribusinesses with a powerful set of tools to manage their sourcing areas, monitor performance, and transparently report ESG metrics. By connecting data from farm to business, Enfarm is building a trusted digital ecosystem that supports climate resilience and drives regenerative growth.

Under the leadership of CEO Nguyen Do Dung, Enfarm has expanded to 14 provinces in Vietnam, covered 30,000 hectares in the Philippines and is implementing an anti-desertification project in Africa. Vietnamese agricultural technology therefore not only serves domestic farmers but also participates in solving global problems, in the spirit of VinFuture: technology for humanity.

Comment (0)