While many humanoid robots are still in the early stages of development, a few have escaped research and development, entering the real world as bartenders, concierges, deep-sea divers and as companions for older adults. Some work in warehouses and factories, assisting humans in logistics and manufacturing. And others seem to offer more novelty and awe than anything else, conducting orchestras and greeting guests at conferences.
What Are Humanoid Robots?
Humanoid robots are robots that resemble and act like humans. Typically engineered to imitate authentic human expressions, interactions and movements, these robots are often outfitted with an array of cameras, sensors and AI and machine learning technologies.
How Are Humanoid Robots Being Used Today?
While more humanoid robots are being introduced into the world and making a positive impact in industries like logistics, manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality, their use is still limited, and development costs are high.
That said, the sector is expected to grow. The humanoid robot market was valued at $1.8 billion in 2023, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets, and is predicted to increase to more than $13 billion by 2028. Fueling that growth and demand will be advanced humanoid robots with greater AI capabilities and human-like features that can take on more duties in the service industry, education and healthcare.
In light of recent investments, the dawn of complex humanoid robots may come sooner than later. AI robotics company Figure and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI formed a partnership that’s backed by investors like Jeff Bezos. Under the deal, OpenAI will likely adapt its GPT language models to suit the needs of Figure’s robots. And microchip manufacturer Nvidia revealed plans for Project GR00T, the goal of which is to develop a general-purpose foundation model for humanoid robots. These announcements come in the wake of Elon Musk and Tesla introducing the humanoid robot Optimus in 2022, although the robot is still being trained.
How Are Humanoid Robots Being Used?
- Hospitality: Some humanoid robots, like Kime, are pouring and serving customer drinks and snacks at self-contained kiosks in Spain. Some are even working as hotel concierges and in other customer-facing roles.
- Education: Humanoid Robots NAO and Pepper are working with students in educational settings, creating content and teaching programming.
- Healthcare: Other humanoid robots are providing services in healthcare settings, like communicating patient information and measuring vital signs.
But before companies can fully unleash their humanoid robots, pilot programs testing their ability to safely work and collaborate alongside human counterparts on factory floors, warehouses and elsewhere will have to be conducted.
It’s unclear how well humanoid robots will integrate into society and how well humans will accept their help. While some people will see the proliferation of these robots as creepy, dangerous or as unneeded competition in the labor market, the potential benefits like increased efficiency and safety may outweigh many of the perceived consequences.
Either way, humanoid robots are poised to have a tremendous impact, and there are already some among us that we can look to for guidance. Here are a few examples of the top humanoid robots working in our world today.
Examples of Humanoid Robots
Ameca (Engineered Arts)
Engineered Arts’ latest and most advanced humanoid robot is Ameca, which the company bills as a development platform where AI and machine learning systems can be tested. Featuring sensors that can track movement across the entirety of a room, along with face and multiple voice recognition capabilities, Ameca naturally interacts with humans and detects emotions and age. Ameca is able to communicate common expressions like astonishment and surprise, and gestures like yawning and shrugging.
Alter 3 (Osaka University and MIXI)
Dubbed Alter 3, the latest humanoid robot from Osaka University and MIXI is powered by an artificial neural network and has an ear for music. Earlier iterations of Alter sang in an opera. Alter 3, which has enhanced sensors and improved expressive ability and vocalization system for singing, went even further in 2020 by conducting an orchestra at the New National Theater in Tokyo and taking part in other live performances.
ARMAR-6 (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
ARMAR-6 is a humanoid robot developed by researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany to work in industrial settings. Capable of using drills, hammers and other tools, ARMAR-6 also features AI technology allowing it to learn how to grasp objects and hand them to human co-workers. It’s also able to take on maintenance duties like wiping down surfaces, and it even has the ability to ask for help when needed.
Apollo (Apptronik)
Apptronik’s Apollo cans carry up to 55 pounds and is designed to function in plants and warehouses and may expand into industries like retail and construction. An impact zone allows the robot to stop its motion when detecting nearby moving objects while swappable batteries that last four hours each keep Apollo productive. As part of a pilot program, Apptronik has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to explore how Apollo can automate various manual tasks.
Atlas (Boston Dynamics)
Atlas is a leaping, backflipping humanoid robot designed by Boston Dynamics that uses depth sensors for real-time perception and model-predictive control technology to improve motion. Built with 3D-printed parts, Atlas is used by company roboticists as a research and design tool to increase human-like agility and coordination. The company’s newest electric version of Atlas has shown much promise, putting its power on full display by doing push-ups.
Beomni (Beyond Imagination)
Beomni is controlled remotely by “human pilots” donning virtual reality headsets and other wearable devices like gloves, while AI helps Beomni learn tasks so one day it can become autonomous. In 2022, Beyond Imagination CEO and co-founder Harry Kloor told Built In that he’s hopeful Beomni will transform the care older adults receive, while taking over more tedious and dangerous jobs in other industries. The company has built up more momentum through partnerships with Dreamtech and Cobotic Surgical, Inc.
Digit (Agility Robotics)
Already capable of unloading trailers and moving packages, Digit, a humanoid robot from Agility Robotics, is poised to take on even more tedious tasks. With fully functioning limbs, Digit is able to crouch and squat to pick up objects, adjusting its center of gravity depending on size and weight, while surface plane-reading sensors help it find the most efficient path and circumvent whatever’s in its way. Agility Robotics has partnered with GXO Logistics Inc., deploying a small fleet of Digit robots at a GXO Connecticut facility.
Jiajia (University of Science and Technology of China)
Developed by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, Jiajia is the first humanoid robot to come out of China. Researchers spent three years developing Jiajia. Chen Xiaoping, who led the team behind the humanoid robot, told reporters during Jiajia’s 2016 unveiling that he and his team would soon work to make Jiajia capable of crying and laughing, the Independent reports. According to Mashable, its human-like appearance was modeled after five students from USTC.
KIME (Macco Robotics)
KIME, Macco Robotics’ humanoid robotic bartender, serves beer, coffee, wine, snacks, salads and more. Each KIME kiosk is able to dispense 253 items per hour and features a touchscreen and app-enabled ordering, plus a built-in payment system. Though unable to dispense the sage advice of a seasoned bartender, KIME is able to recognize its regular customers and pour two beers every six seconds.
Nadine (Nanyang Technological University)
Researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore developed Nadine, a humanoid social robot, with realistic skin, hair, facial expressions and upper body movements that’s able to work in a variety of settings. According to researchers, Nadine can recognize faces, speech, gestures and objects. It even features an affective system that models Nadine’s personality, emotions and mood. So far, Nadine has worked in customer service, led a bingo game and could take on a bigger role as a companion robot in care homes.
NAO (Softbank Robotics)
Softbank Robotics’ first humanoid robot, NAO, works as an assistant for organizations in industries ranging from healthcare to education. Only two feet tall, NAO features two 2D cameras for object recognition as well as four directional microphones and speakers, plus seven touch sensors, to better interact with people and its surrounding environment. With the ability to converse in 20 languages, NAO helps create content and teach programming in classrooms and works as assistants and patient service representatives in healthcare settings.
OceanOne (Stanford Robotics Lab)
A diving humanoid robot, OceanOne, from the Stanford Robotics Lab is exploring shipwrecks. In 2016, in its maiden voyage, OceanOne ventured to the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of France to explore the wreckage of La Lune, one of King Louis XIV’s ships that was sunk in 1664. In its latest iteration, OceanOneK, the robot can dive even deeper, reaching depths of 1,000 meters. Featuring haptic feedback and AI, OceanOneK can operate tools and other equipment, and has already explored underwater wreckage of planes and ships.
Pepper (Softbank Robotics)
Pepper is another humanoid robot from Softbank Robotics working in classrooms and healthcare settings. But unlike NAO, Pepper is able to recognize faces and track human emotions. Pepper has worked as a hotel concierge and has been used to monitor contactless care and communication for older adults during the pandemic. More recently, it was introduced at a Dayton facility as a social support robot for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Promobot (Promobot)
Promobot is a customizable humanoid robot that’s capable of working in a range of service-oriented roles. Equipped with facial recognition and chat functions, Promobot can issue keycards, scan and auto-fill documents, and print guest passes and receipts. As a concierge, Promobot integrates with a building’s security system and is able to recognize the faces of a building’s residents. At hotels, it can check guests in, and in healthcare settings, Promobot is able to measure key health indicators like blood sugar and blood oxygen levels.
Robonaut 2 (NASA and General Motors)
Developed by NASA and General Motors, Robonaut 2 is a humanoid robot that works alongside human counterparts in space and on the factory floor. More than a decade ago, Robonaut 2 became the first humanoid robot to enter space, and worked as an assistant on the International Space Station until 2018, when it returned to Earth for repairs. Today, Robonaut 2 is inspiring other innovations and advancements in robotics, like the RoboGlove and Aquanaut from the ocean robotics company Nauticus.
RoboThespian (Engineered Arts)
Another humanoid robot from Engineered Arts is RoboThespian, which features telepresence software that allows humans to remotely talk through the robot. With automated eye contact and micro-facial expressions, RoboThespian is able to perform for crowds and work in places like the Kennedy Space Center where it answers questions about the Hubble Telescope from curious visitors.
Sophia (Hanson Robotics)
Hanson Robotics’ AI-powered humanoid robot Sophia has traveled the world, graced the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine, made multiple appearances on The Tonight Show and addressed the United Nations. One of the more widely known humanoid robots, Sophia can process visual, emotional and conversational data to better interact with humans. More recently, Sophia made headlines by acting as a college’s commencement speaker, which didn’t come without controversy.
Surena IV (University of Tehran)
Able to grab a water bottle, pose for a selfie and write its own name on a whiteboard, Surena IV is the latest humanoid robot from the University of Tehran. IEEE Spectrum reports that Surena IV has improved tracking capabilities and new hands that allow it to use power tools. It’s also able to adjust the angle and position of its feet, giving it an improved ability to navigate uneven terrain.
Punyo (Toyota)
Punyo is the latest humanoid robot to be produced by the Toyota Research Institute. The Japanese word “punyo” has associations of cuteness and resilience, and Punyo embodies these traits in its squishy appearance. However, Punyo takes a different approach to lifting objects compared to other humanoids. Instead of using just its hands, Punyo leverages its arms and chest to handle hefty loads in a more natural way.
Walker (UBTECH Robotics)
With improved hand-eye coordination and autonomous navigation, Walker, a humanoid service robot by UBTECH Robotics, is able to safely climb stairs and balance on one leg. Robotics and Automation News reports that Walker is able to serve tea, water flowers and use a vacuum, showing off just how helpful this humanoid robot could be around the house.
Phoenix (Sanctuary AI)
Sanctuary AI continues to build on the progress of its humanoid products with the seventh generation of Phoenix. This version of Phoenix is designed with improved capabilities, most notably the ability to learn tasks faster than its predecessors. Because of this advanced intelligence, Sanctuary AI already has a partnership with auto manufacturer Magna International Inc. to deploy Phoenix as a general-purpose AI robot in Magna’s facilities.
EVE (1X)
1X claims the title of being the company to send the first AI-powered humanoid robot into the workforce. The company’s robot EVE comes with strong grippers for hands, cameras that support panoramic vision and two wheels for mobility. A voice command feature also lets users ask EVE to perform multiple tasks in sequence. Most importantly, EVE uses AI to learn new tasks and improve based on past experiences. With these abilities, EVE is on pace to spread into industries like retail, logistics and even commercial security.
Figure 02 (Figure)
Figure’s humanoid robot Figure 02 is meant to provide a physical form for artificial intelligence. The robot can move at 2.7 miles per hour, lift 44 pounds and last for five hours at a time on an electrical system. And because of its partnership with OpenAI, Figure has equipped Figure 02 with GPT models that allow the robot to understand voice commands. Figure 02 can also respond via speakers and microphones, resulting in natural conversations.
Alex (Boardwalk Robotics)
Boardwalk Robotics has prioritized practicality with its latest addition to the humanoid field, Alex. Alex is designed without legs because the company believes this is more cost-effective and many tasks don’t require a robot to be mobile. As a result, Alex possesses 19 degrees of freedom, versatile wrists and a 22-pound payload capacity, making it ideal for tasks like sorting items, cleaning products and fulfilling other maintenance duties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are humanoid robots?
Humanoid robots look like humans and mimic human motions and actions to perform various tasks. Some humanoid robots even use materials that resemble human features, like skin and eyes, to appear friendlier.
What are humanoid robots used for?
Humanoid robots are often used for customer service roles, including concierges, bartenders and greeters. Because of their human shape, humanoid robots can also assist with handling and carrying materials in warehouses and factories.
