Inaugural UM–PolyU CREI Workshop Strengthens Collaboration in Robotics and Embodied Intelligence

The UM–PolyU Joint Research Centre for Robotics and Embodied Intelligence (CREI) successfully hosted its inaugural research workshop, marking an important milestone in strengthening research collaboration between the University of Macau and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The workshop brought together leading scholars, researchers, and students from both universities to exchange recent advances in robotics, autonomous systems, and embodied intelligence, and to explore future opportunities for joint research and talent development.

The workshop opened with keynote speeches by the Centre’s Co-Directors, Professor Cheng-Zhong Xu from the University of Macau and Professor Wen-Hua Chen from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Professor Xu delivered a keynote on “Cognitive Intelligence for Robust Autonomous Driving in Mixed Traffic,” offering insights into how cognitive intelligence can support autonomous systems in complex and human-involved environments. Professor Chen presented “Active Learning and Embodied Intelligence,” highlighting the importance of active interaction, learning, and adaptation for the next generation of embodied intelligent systems.

Following the keynote sessions, distinguished researchers from both universities shared their latest research progress across the Centre’s core directions. The speakers included Professor Chenguang Yang, Professor Hailong Huang, and Professor Lik-Hang Lee from PolyU, and Professor Carlos Jorge Ferreira Silvestre, Professor Junwen Zhong, and Professor Zhehua Zhou from the University of Macau. Their talks covered a wide range of topics, including human-like robot control and human–robot collaboration, intelligent autonomous robotic systems for aerial and ocean applications, perception and decision-making for embedded intelligence, bio-inspired insect-scale robots, XR interfaces for human–robot interaction, and trustworthy embodied intelligence with foundation models.

The workshop provided a valuable platform for deepening mutual understanding, identifying complementary research strengths, and promoting future collaboration between UM and PolyU. It also reflected CREI’s commitment to advancing interdisciplinary research that connects fundamental robotics technologies with real-world autonomous and embodied intelligence applications.

The UM–PolyU CREI sincerely thanks all speakers, participants, and organizing team members for their valuable contributions and support. The Centre looks forward to continuing these discussions and welcoming the research community to future CREI events.

For further information on upcoming events, please visit the UM–PolyU CREI website.