Preface

The 2025 Robot Annual Conference and the 2nd International Symposium on Intelligent Manufacturing and Automation (ISIMA 2025) was held in Guangzhou, China, from December 19 to 21, 2025. It gathered innovative academics and industrial experts specializing in Mechanical Engineering, Intelligent Manufacturing, Automation Technology, and related fields worldwide. The symposium served as a vital platform for sharing insights and experiences, promoting research and development in engineering materials, manufacturing technology, and technical information exchange. Aligned with its core themes, it fostered advancements applicable to vehicle, marine, and aerospace sectors, enhancing intelligent manufacturing, automation, and engineering innovation. By facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, it contributed significantly to technological progress in advanced manufacturing and engineering, aligning with the evolving needs of modern industrial and transportation-related engineering domains. ISIMA 2025 featured distinguished speakers delivering insightful presentations. Prof. Yang Cong from South China University of Technology delivered “Robot 3D Embodied Artificial Intelligence and Manipulation Skill Generalization”, focusing on intelligent manufacturing advancements for vehicle-related engineering. Prof. Xuejun Li of Foshan University shared “Research on Current Damage of Bearings and Shafts in High-Power Motors”, highlighting component durability critical for propulsion systems. Prof. Yisheng Guan from Guangdong University of Technology presented “Modeling, Analysis and Applications of Airbags as Driving Units of Soft Robots”, exploring flexible actuation for marine and aerospace vehicles. Prof. Benliang Zhu of South China University of Technology discussed “Design Methodologies and Motion Control of Magnetically Actuated Soft Robots Based on Compliant Mechanisms”, introducing robotic designs for automotive and aerospace manufacturing. Prof. Wei Meng from Guangdong University of Technology covered “Design and Control of Drones with Variable Structures”, relevant to aerial mobility. Industry leaders Lin Yang and Rui Fan addressed industry-education integration for transport-related intelligent systems. Other speakers, including Prof. Chunlin Dong, Jiang Ding, and Zhansi Jiang, presented on intelligent welding, biomimetic underwater vehicle propulsion, and quality detection—all linking to vehicle, marine, and aerospace engineering. These talks fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, advancing key technologies and talent development for intelligent manufacturing and automation in transport-related fields. ISIMA 2025 succeeded smoothly thanks to invaluable support from various parties. We thank all participants for their active engagement and constructive exchanges that enriched the symposium’s academic value. Gratitude goes to invited speakers for sharing cutting-edge research and expertise. The organizing committee’s careful planning, host institutions’ backing, and volunteers’ dedication underpinned this achievement. We anticipate the collaborations and insights gained will continue driving progress in intelligent manufacturing, automation, and related fields, fueling future industrial and technological innovation. List of Committee Members are available in this PDF.