The pivotal moment of physical AI and next-generation robots
Traditionally, most industrial robots have been designed for fixed, repetitive tasks in controlled environments. However, the rise of physical AI is changing that. Robots are able to sense, reason, and make decisions in real-world environments – which are much more dynamic and complex than traditional models.
According to Professor Ho-Young Kim, Seoul National University (Korea), by co-designing algorithms with electronics, drives and morphology, physical AI allows for the creation of safer, more agile and energy-efficient systems.
“This shift takes robots from task-specific automation tools to general-purpose platforms that shape how we build, learn, and care, with a societal impact comparable to the microprocessor and the internet,” said Professor Kim.
In the seminar on December 4 in Hanoi , Professor Ho-Young Kim will bring a completely new model in the field of robotics research. Photo: World Economic Forum
Sharing the same view, Professor Kurt Kremer, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Germany), said that intelligent automation and robots will significantly change the economy and daily life. For example, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can operate flexibly in factories, while collaborative robots (cobots) have the ability to interact and have multi-industry applications, from service to medicine.
“Many tasks will be done faster and better, like medical image analysis or anything that involves advanced pattern recognition. This will create completely new insights and processes,” he said.
Professor Kim and Professor Kremer are two of the world’s leading scientists who will participate in the discussion on “Robots and Intelligent Automation” taking place on December 4 in Hanoi. As an expert in soft matter science, Professor Kremer is expected to bring more perspectives on the role of soft materials or polymers in the development of robots and automation systems.
Soft materials – from lightweight, durable structures to organic electronic compounds – could replace parts of conventional electronics, helping to reduce dependence on rare earths and limit environmental impact, he said. However, every new technology comes with risks that need to be identified early to proactively prevent.
Therefore, in addition to sharing new trends, scientists at the seminar will discuss challenges related to AI ethics and safety, to ensure the development of robot technology in a safe, humane and sustainable direction.
Professor Kurt Kremer, a pioneer in soft materials computational simulation research, appreciated the diversity of discussion topics at VinFuture. Photo: idw
A rare opportunity for Vietnam to break through in the automation era
Despite the challenges, the new wave of technology is creating momentum for countries to innovate to adapt. According to Professor Kim, Vietnam possesses a flexible supply chain, large-scale laboratory infrastructure and an increasingly high-quality workforce - an ideal setting to translate physical AI research into applied solutions.
He believes that bringing together the world's leading experts in Hanoi will shorten the path from lab to factory, promote knowledge transfer and improve the capacity to deploy responsible technology in fast-growing economies.
“VinFuture’s connecting power can become a catalyst to form a sustainable relationship between academia - industry - policy, turning knowledge into practical value, contributing to Vietnam and the world,” he emphasized.
Professor Kremer also appreciated the diversity of the VinFuture Science and Technology Week, which brings together experts from many different fields. According to him, this is different from normal scientific conferences.
“The week provides a rare opportunity to exchange ideas and research perspectives, as most fields, from modern technology, medicine, to our daily lives, are influenced by the development of automation, electronics and robotics,” he explained.
Prof. Kremer believes that understanding both the similarities and differences between fields will pave the way for many future breakthroughs.
The “Robots and Intelligent Automation” talk show is one of the five “Science for Life” talks in the VinFuture 2025 Science and Technology Week, alongside the talks with the themes: “AI for humanity - AI Ethics and Safety in the new era” (December 2), “Advances in Disease Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment” (December 3), “Innovation in Agriculture and Food” (December 3), and “Science and Innovation for a Sustainable Future” (December 4). Time : 9:00 - 10:30 Date : December 4, 2025 Location : Almaz International Convention Center, Hanoi, Vietnam Registration link: https://forms.gle/AxvccDF3fmXVpqkV7 Chair: Prof. Do Ngoc Minh, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA), VinUni University (Vietnam), Member of the VinFuture Prize Preliminary Jury, currently serving as Director of the VinUni-Illinois Smart Healthcare Center. In order to provide a comprehensive view of new trends and issues in the field of robotics and automation, the seminar also gathered many leading scientists: ● Prof. Ho-Young Kim, Seoul National University (Korea), Member of the American Physical Society (APS). ● Prof. Kurt Kremer, Honorary Director at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (Germany), Academician of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, Winner of the APS Polymer Physics Prize and the Staudinger Medal (2024). ● Dr. Nguyen Trung Quan, University of Southern California (USA), Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of VinMotion Company. ● Prof. Tan Yap Peng, President of VinUni University (Vietnam), former Vice President and Acting President of the Institute of Engineering, Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), Member of the International Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers |
The Dinh
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/viet-nam-dung-truoc-co-hoi-dinh-hinh-ky-nguyen-robot-va-tu-dong-hoa-thong-minh-2466762.html
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