Midea Unveils Robot Brain and Joints; Kuka Adds Collaborative Robot and Embodied AI Products

At a recent robotics showcase, Midea presented what it describes as the robot’s “brain” and “joints,” while Kuka introduced several work-ready systems. One is a collaborative robot that can follow spoken commands, carries built-in AI vision, and is designed for zero-configuration startup. Another is an embodied intelligence product line that moves AI out of server racks and into the bodies of moving robots. The same brain can be adapted across multiple robot forms, suggesting a modular approach to deployment. Kuka positions the lineup for flexible manufacturing and service tasks, where robots must perceive instructions and act without lengthy setup. The significance, according to the companies, is lower integration barriers and broader use of embodied AI in physical machines.