The New Wave of Robotics: Key Trends from Japan’s IREX 2025

Daily Technology

·

15/12/2025

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The International Robot Exhibition (IREX) 2025 provided a sharp snapshot of the evolving global robotics landscape. While Japan—long regarded as a pioneer—maintains its strength in industrial automation, new players and trends are shifting the industry's center of gravity. Below are the most significant trends emerging from the event, with representative companies and real-world examples highlighting these changes.

1. Japan’s Enduring Strength in Industrial Robotics

Japan’s robotics giants—Kawasaki, Fanuc, Yaskawa, Nachi—dominated the IREX show floor with large-scale industrial arms demonstrating tasks such as welding, assembly, and precise material handling. These applications reflect Japan’s solid hold over mature, repeatable processes where integration and return on investment are well documented. Industry reports from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) underline this, showing Japanese companies account for 38% of global industrial robot production.

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Example: Kawasaki’s new Kaleido humanoid, unveiled at IREX, showcased industrial and emergency scenarios, such as virtual-reality remote rescue operations. However, Japanese humanoid robotics largely remain confined to factory tasks rather than entering broader service or consumer markets.

2. Rise of Humanoid Robots Powered by AI

The latest generation of humanoid robots, particularly from China and the US, are defined by artificial intelligence “brains.” Unlike earlier, pre-programmed Japanese humanoids like Honda’s ASIMO (which played football with President Obama in 2014 before the project ended in 2018), modern humanoids self-learn and adapt across new tasks.

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Example: Unitree’s AI-powered humanoids from China performed kung fu, danced for audiences, and served drinks at GMO’s exhibition bar. Their flexibility as development platforms has led Japanese startups like Tron and software specialists like Techshare to adopt Chinese robots for advanced training and experimentation.

3. Cross-Border Collaboration and Supply Chain Integration

Despite geopolitical tensions, IREX showed a high degree of integration between Chinese and Japanese robotics sectors. Japanese components and manufacturing expertise are found inside many Chinese humanoids, while Chinese 3D cameras and mobile platforms equip Japanese industrial robots. Collaborative ventures are on the rise.

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Example: The December announcement of a "Physical AI" partnership between Japan’s Yaskawa Electric and SoftBank aims to advance robotics in diverse environments, signaling renewed interest in combining hardware and advanced AI capabilities.

4. China’s Policy-Backed Robotics Expansion

Driven by ambitious state policies like "Made in China 2025," China has scaled up its industrial robot deployment—installing 295,000 units by 2024 (over half of global demand), according to IFR data. This rapid growth is powered by a mix of local industry incentives and an expanding pool of AI talent, fueling further investment in service and humanoid robots.

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Example: Startups such as Galbot, AgiBot, and Lumos—all founded in 2023—presented advanced prototypes at IREX, while Shenzhen-based UBTech pushed ahead with mass-production plans and confirmed commercial orders for their products.

5. Commercialization Challenges and Market Skepticism

Despite the surge of new products and optimistic projections, industry analysts remain cautious about the immediate future. High costs, a need for supportive application ecosystems, and unproven mass-market value present real hurdles. As research from firms like TrendForce and Morgan Stanley notes, true industry transformation still awaits commercial-scale validation of these robots’ utility and affordability.

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Example: Japanese initiatives, such as the Kyoto Humanoid Association, illustrate efforts to reinvigorate the domestic industry. However, actual deployment of service humanoids remains limited, with the majority of robots still performing controlled, repetitive tasks rather than entering mainstream use.

In Summary

The robotics sector is at a pivotal juncture. Japan’s expertise in industrial automation endures, while China rapidly innovates in the AI-driven humanoid space. Real-world applications—from robotic factory assistants to AI-powered bartenders—signal a new era, but sustainable, widespread adoption likely hinges on clear commercial success and deeper cross-border collaboration.

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