Humanoid Robotics

Extracted Attributes

• Field

  Physical AI

• Sub-types

  Androids (human-resembling) and Gynoids (female-resembling)

• Key Components

  Torso, head, two arms, and two legs

• Unitree G1 Speed

  7 km/h

• Innovation Leader

  United States

• Manufacturing Leader

  China

• Primary Economic Driver

  Global labor shortage and population decline

Timeline

• Honda unveils Asimo, a pioneering humanoid robot focused on social and research applications. (Source: IFR Press Release)

  2000-10-01

• The inaugural Robot Olympics is held in Beijing, showcasing global advancements in humanoid forms. (Source: Recorded Future)

  2025-01-01

• The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) publishes the 'Humanoid Robots – Vision and Reality' positioning paper. (Source: IFR Press Release)

  2025-08-14

• CES 2026 panel discusses the AI transformation, predicting humanoid robotics will follow self-driving as the next major tech wave. (Source: Document c08935b9-87d2-439d-a5ee-c1b4d7dc4dcf)

  2026-01-01

• Engine AI focuses on refining the T800 model for long-term deployment, prioritizing balance and battery endurance. (Source: YouTube: These New AI Robots Are About to Become Real in 2026)

  2026-01-01

• Predicted year for humanoid robotics to dominate the tech landscape following the peak of self-driving technology. (Source: Document c08935b9-87d2-439d-a5ee-c1b4d7dc4dcf)

  2027-01-01

Humanoid robot

A humanoid robot is a robot resembling the human body in shape. The design may be aimed at functional purposes, such as interacting with human tools and environments and working alongside humans, for experimental purposes, such as the study of bipedal locomotion, or for other purposes. In general, humanoid robots are characterized by their anthropomorphic design, which includes a torso, a head, two arms, and two legs. However, some humanoid robots may have a more limited range of body replicas, comprising only a subset of the above-mentioned components. Androids are humanoid robots designed to more closely resemble the human physique. The term "Gynoid" is sometimes used to refer to female-looking robots.

Web Search Results

• The Future of Humanoid Robotics

  Figure 1: Summary of the conditions that could create a huge demand for humanoid robots in the coming years (Source: Recorded Future) ## Analysis Humanoid robots are general-purpose, bipedal robots modeled after the human form and designed to work alongside humans. They are currently being designed to work in factories, serve us, and look after us. [...] The commercial potential of the humanoid robot market is significant. Recognizing this, both startups and established corporations are making substantial investments in humanoid robotics. Leading artificial intelligence (AI) companies are investing in humanoid robotics to develop platforms that integrate their cognitive technologies into mobile, human-like forms. At the same time, automotive manufacturers with decades of experience in using robotics and specializing in mass production are investing in the humanoid robotics market and adapting their capabilities to mass-produce humanoid robots, viewing it as a natural evolution. Today, humanoid robots are deployed in industrial environments and showcased in global sporting events such as the inaugural 2025 Robot Olympics in Beijing. [...] Understanding the increased attention being given to humanoid robotics begins with recognizing a primary driver: a global labor shortage caused by population decline. Modern economies rely on sustained consumption and productivity growth, both of which are underpinned by expanding populations. Yet, across much of the developed world, and increasingly in emerging markets, this two-century trend of population growth is reversing. The global workforce is shrinking, and the implications for economic output are profound. As traditional labor pools contract, humanoid robots represent a potential solution, a means of sustaining productivity and economic stability in the face of structural demographic change.

• Humanoid Robots: “Vision and Reality” Paper Published by IFR

  IFR Press Room DE # Humanoid Robots: “Vision and Reality” Paper Published by IFR Frankfurt, Aug 14, 2025 — Humanoids are considered to be the next big thing in robotics: China, the world's largest market for industrial robots, has set out specific targets for its plans to mass-produce humanoids. Meanwhile, tech companies in the US and Europe are announcing significant funding. The vision is to create general-purpose robots based on human motion mechanics. What are the trends, opportunities, and potential limitations of humanoids? The International Federation of Robotics has released a new positioning paper that provides valuable insights. Humanoids are considered to be the next big thing in robotics. Picture source: Neura Robotics [...] Japan has been a pioneer in the development of humanoid robots with Honda's Asimo being an early example unveiled in October 2000. Robots are regarded as companions rather than mere tools. Humanoid robots such as Pepper and Palro are designed primarily as social robots and are used in educational settings, commercial stores and elderly care facilities. This reflects the needs of Japan's ageing society. The focus is on creating robots that can live harmoniously with humans and are accepted as part of society. Leading companies such as Kawasaki are developing humanoid robots as research platforms. [...] ## Outlook Thanks to their human-like dexterity and adaptability, humanoids are well placed to automate complex tasks with which current robots struggle using traditional programming methods. However, mass adoption as universal household helpers may not happen in the near or medium term. ## About the POSITION PAPER Humanoid Robots – Vision and Reality by IFR Free download at Content overview: 1. Hype about humanoids? 2. What is a humanoid robot? 3. Recent technology trends 4. Customer industries 5. Benefits of humanoids 6. Regional differences 7. Tradeoffs and limitations 8. Outlook ## Contact International Federation of Robotics PRESS OFFICER Carsten Heer phone +49 (0) 40 822 44 284 E-Mail: (/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection) ## Downloads

• Physical AI and humanoid robots | Deloitte Insights

  Show more ### Beyond humanoids? Humanoid robots capture public imagination with their familiar bipedal form. Where do we go from there? In terms of physical form factors, boundary-pushing engineers are increasingly experimenting with machines that blur biological lines. Imagine robots powered by living mushroom tissue, those that mimic movements using rat muscle tissue, or machines that can transition between solid and liquid states using magnetic fields. In innovative laboratories today, scientists are integrating living organisms into mechanical systems, developing robots that can navigate complex environments through multiple modes of locomotion, and creating machines that adapt their physical form to match the task.30 [...] ### Humanoid robots and beyond We’ve all seen the viral videos of humanoid robots with their fluid, not-quite-human-but-pretty-darn-close movements. They’re the most compelling robotic form factor, not because they have the most efficient design, but because our world is built for human bodies. This means they can navigate existing infrastructure—doorways, staircases, factory floors, and home kitchens—without costly modifications to accommodate specialized robotic systems.23 [...] Jonathan Hurst is a robotics professor at Oregon State University and cofounder of the school’s Robotics Institute, where his research focuses on legged locomotion. He’s also the cofounder and chief robot officer of Agility Robotics, which develops and deploys humanoid robots that operate alongside human workers in commercial applications. Watch the interview. Q: Were you trying to solve a specific problem by building a robot with a humanoid form factor?

• Forget AI, The Robots Are Coming! - YouTube

  Freud entertainment for us humans, this event is just the latest demonstration of the sudden proliferation of humanoid robots. Meanwhile, American company Figure is using AI and advanced dexterity to demonstrate that humanoid robots can indeed do useful work from sorting packages to folding clothes and working at the BMW factory in 20our shifts. Helix, a humanoid robot by Figure, showcases its ability to perform household chores by autonomously loading laundry into a washing machine. In this episode, we'll explore the latest in the field of robotics, complete with my interview with Carolina Parad, head of robotics at Google Deep Mind. So, why am I doing a video on humanoid consumer robotics? Really, I just find robotics technology fascinating. Yes, a lot of people do talk about further [...] with their humanoid robots, and no one bats an eyelid anymore. Chinese robotics firms like Unitry, Agibbot, Galbot, Engine AI, and Liui Robotics are using China's growth in manufacturing to their advantage. These companies are popping up everywhere. Engine AI's PM1 performs front flips while the SEO1 walks remarkably like a human. Robot Extras XOTL famously climbed the Great Wall of China. There's way too many Chinese companies to go into detail about each one, so let's just focus on the most popular. Unit's G1 model displays impressive balance, can do martial arts, and dance. They're the most viral robots at the moment due to their relatively low cost. The G1 can walk, run at speeds reaching 7 km an hour, jump, climb stairs, and even fold for easy transport. Though this reviewer laments [...] fascinating. Yes, a lot of people do talk about further societal or social long-term implications that may or may not happen, but sometimes it's fun to just think of the technology in a vacuum. What makes humanoid robots so interesting to me is that unlike industrial robots which do pre-programmed repetitive tasks over and over again, humanoid robots, on the other hand, must adapt to and navigate dynamic environments in real time. It's a challenge that's extremely hard to solve. This episode will be split into three parts. The first section will look at how far we've come. The second segment will focus on American robots, and the third section will be the Chinese robot revolution. We'll look at the top companies, how their tech works, and the interesting different approaches from the

• These New AI Robots Are About to Become Real in 2026 - YouTube

  moves into 2026, Engine AI is focused on the problems that determine whether humanoid robots can actually operate day after day. The company is refining balance systems in the T800 humanoid robot, improving stability and unpredictable realworld environments where safety matters most. At the same time, Engine AI is working on battery improvements that extend operational time between charges. These changes are not designed to impress in short demonstrations. They are designed to support long-term deployment where reliability and endurance decide whether robots remain in use. Engine AI is focusing on practical deployment. Would you want one in your workspace? Tell me below. The year 2026 marks the turning point for humanoid robotics. This is when robots stop being research experiments and