Humanoid robots replicate human expressions and movements, utilizing AI technologies to maneuver through complex environments and interactions. Here are some of the leading humanoid robots in use today.
Top 26 Humanoid Robots in Use Right Now
Although numerous humanoid robots remain in the initial phases of development, some have moved beyond research and development, stepping into the real world as bartenders, concierges, deep-sea divers, and companions for the elderly. Certain robots operate in warehouses and factories, aiding humans in logistics and manufacturing. Others appear to provide more novelty and wonder, performing tasks like conducting orchestras and welcoming attendees at conferences.
What Are Humanoid Robots?
Humanoid robots are designed to look and behave like humans. They are generally crafted to mimic genuine human expressions, interactions, and movements, and are frequently equipped with various cameras, sensors, as well as AI and machine learning technologies.
How Are Humanoid Robots Being Used Today?
As more humanoid robots are introduced globally, they are positively influencing industries such as logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality. However, their use remains limited due to high development costs.
Nonetheless, the sector is anticipated to expand. According to research firm MarketsandMarkets, the humanoid robot market was valued at $2.03 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow to over $13 billion by 2029. This growth and demand will be driven by advanced humanoid robots with enhanced AI capabilities and human-like features that can assume more roles in the service industry, education, and healthcare.
Recent investments suggest that the emergence of complex humanoid robots may happen sooner rather than later. Google-backed Apptronik announced a Series A funding round of $350 million, boosting the startup’s ability to mass-produce its Apollo humanoid robots. Recognizing the potential of this industry, Apple is even considering a shift to developing humanoid robots. These advancements occur as Tesla continues to enhance its Optimus robot, intensifying the competition to deploy humanoid robots in the workforce.
How Are Humanoid Robots Being Used?
Hospitality: In Spain, humanoid robots like Kime are serving drinks and snacks at self-contained kiosks. Some are also employed as hotel concierges and in other customer-facing roles.
Education: Humanoid Robots NAO and Pepper are collaborating with students in educational settings, creating content and teaching programming.
Healthcare: Other humanoid robots are providing services in healthcare environments, such as communicating patient information and measuring vital signs.
Before companies can fully deploy their humanoid robots, pilot programs must test their ability to safely work and collaborate alongside human counterparts on factory floors, warehouses, and other settings. As part of these initiatives, UBTech has partnered with Foxconn to explore using humanoid robots in iPhone assembly.
It's uncertain how well humanoid robots will integrate into society and how humans will accept their assistance. While some may view the rise of these robots as creepy, dangerous, or unnecessary competition in the labor market, the potential benefits, such as increased efficiency and safety, might outweigh many of the perceived drawbacks.
Regardless, humanoid robots are set to have a tremendous impact, and there are already examples among us that we can look to for guidance. Here are a few of the leading humanoid robots active in our world today.
Examples of Humanoid Robots
Ameca (Engineered Arts)
The latest and most sophisticated humanoid robot from Engineered Arts is Ameca, which the company describes as a development platform for testing AI and machine learning systems. Equipped with sensors that can monitor movement throughout an entire room, as well as face and multiple voice recognition capabilities, Ameca naturally interacts with humans, detects emotions, and communicates using common expressions and gestures. The aim is for Ameca to utilize these skills in environments such as schools and elder care facilities.
Top 26 Humanoid Robots in Use Right Now
Alter 3 (Osaka University and MIXI)
Known as Alter 3, the newest humanoid robot from Osaka University and MIXI is driven by an artificial neural network and has a talent for music. Previous versions of Alter sang in an opera. Alter 3, featuring advanced sensors and an improved system for expressive ability and singing vocalization, went even further in 2020 by conducting an orchestra at the New National Theater in Tokyo and participating in other live performances.
ARMAR-6 (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
ARMAR-6 is a humanoid robot created by researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany for use in industrial environments. It can operate tools such as drills and hammers and is equipped with AI technology that enables it to learn how to grasp objects and pass them to human colleagues. Additionally, it can perform maintenance tasks like wiping surfaces and can request assistance when necessary.
Apollo (Apptronik)
Apptronik's Apollo is capable of carrying up to 55 pounds and is engineered to operate in plants and warehouses, with potential expansion into sectors such as retail and construction. The robot features an impact zone that halts its movement upon detecting nearby moving objects, and it remains efficient with swappable batteries that last four hours each. In 2024, Apptronik teamed up with Mercedes-Benz to investigate how Apollo can automate various manual tasks. The company is set to increase Apollo's production, bolstered by a $350 million funding round.
Atlas (Boston Dynamics)
Atlas is a humanoid robot capable of leaping and backflipping, created by Boston Dynamics. It employs depth sensors for real-time perception and model-predictive control technology to enhance its movements. Constructed with 3D-printed parts, Atlas serves as a research and design tool for company roboticists, aiming to boost human-like agility and coordination. The latest electric version of Atlas from Boston Dynamics has shown significant promise, with plans to enhance the robot’s reinforcement learning through collaboration with the Robotics & AI Institute.
Beomni (Beyond Imagination)
Beomni is operated remotely by "human pilots" using virtual reality headsets and other wearable devices like gloves, while AI aids Beomni in learning tasks to eventually become autonomous. In 2022, Beyond Imagination CEO and co-founder Harry Kloor told Built In that he is optimistic about Beomni revolutionizing the care provided to older adults and handling more monotonous and hazardous jobs in various industries. The company has gained additional momentum through partnerships with Dreamtech and Cobotic Surgical, Inc.
Digit (Agility Robotics)
Created by Agility Robotics, Digit is ready to handle even more monotonous tasks. Equipped with fully operational limbs, the robot can crouch and squat to lift objects, adjusting its center of gravity based on the object's size and weight, while sensors that read surface planes assist it in finding the most efficient route and avoiding obstacles. Following the deployment of a small fleet of Digit robots at a GXO facility, Agility Robotics has increased its production of Digit robots and aims to secure an additional $150 million in funding.
.
Jiajia (University of Science and Technology of China)
Created by researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China, Jiajia is the first humanoid robot developed in China. The research team spent three years working on Jiajia. Chen Xiaoping, the leader of the team, mentioned during Jiajia’s 2016 debut that they would soon aim to enable Jiajia to express emotions like crying and laughing, the Independent reports. As per Mashable, its human-like features were inspired by five USTC students.
KIME (Macco Robotics)
KIME, the humanoid robotic bartender from Macco Robotics, offers beer, coffee, wine, snacks, salads, and more. Each KIME kiosk can dispense 253 items per hour and includes a touchscreen and app-enabled ordering, along with a built-in payment system. While it may not offer the wise counsel of an experienced bartender, KIME can identify its regular patrons and pour two beers every six seconds. Besides being a bartender, the robot could also serve as a chef, assistant, and waiter, among other roles.
Nadine (Nanyang Technological University)
At Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, researchers created Nadine, a humanoid social robot with lifelike skin, hair, facial expressions, and upper body movements, designed to operate in various environments. Researchers state that Nadine is capable of recognizing faces, speech, gestures, and objects. It also includes an affective system that simulates Nadine’s personality, emotions, and mood. To date, Nadine has been employed in customer service, led a bingo game, and could potentially assume a bigger role as a companion robot in care homes.
NAO (Softbank Robotics)
The first humanoid robot from Softbank Robotics, NAO, serves as an assistant in sectors like healthcare and education. Standing at just two feet, NAO is equipped with two 2D cameras for object recognition, along with four directional microphones and speakers, and seven touch sensors to enhance its interaction with people and its environment. Capable of conversing in 20 languages, NAO assists in content creation and programming education in classrooms and functions as an assistant and patient service representative in healthcare settings.
OceanOne (Stanford Robotics Lab)
The OceanOne, a humanoid diving robot from the Stanford Robotics Lab, is investigating shipwrecks. During its first mission in 2016, OceanOne traveled to the Mediterranean Sea near the French coast to examine the remains of La Lune, a ship belonging to King Louis XIV that sank in 1664. In its latest version, OceanOneK, the robot is capable of diving even deeper, reaching depths of 1,000 meters. Equipped with haptic feedback and AI, OceanOneK can handle tools and other equipment and has already explored underwater wrecks of airplanes and ships.
Pepper (Softbank Robotics)
Pepper is another humanoid robot developed by Softbank Robotics, utilized in both classrooms and healthcare environments. Unlike NAO, Pepper can identify faces and interpret human emotions. It has served as a hotel concierge and has been employed to oversee contactless care and communication for the elderly during the pandemic. Recently, it was introduced at a Dayton facility to serve as a social support robot for people with intellectual disabilities.
Promobot (Promobot)
Promobot is a versatile humanoid robot designed to perform various service-oriented roles. It features facial recognition and chat capabilities, allowing it to issue keycards, scan and auto-fill documents, and print guest passes and receipts. As a concierge, Promobot connects with a building's security system and can identify the faces of the building's residents. In hotels, it can check guests in, and in healthcare environments, Promobot can measure key health indicators such as blood sugar and blood oxygen levels.
Robonaut 2 (NASA and General Motors)
Created by NASA and General Motors, Robonaut 2 is a humanoid robot designed to collaborate with humans in space and on factory floors. Over ten years ago, Robonaut 2 became the first humanoid robot to enter space, serving as an assistant on the International Space Station until 2018, when it returned to Earth for repairs. Today, Robonaut 2 continues to inspire new innovations and developments in robotics, such as the RoboGlove and Aquanaut from the ocean robotics company Nauticus.
RoboThespian (Engineered Arts)
Another humanoid robot created by Engineered Arts is RoboThespian. It is equipped with telepresence software enabling humans to communicate remotely via the robot. Featuring automated eye contact and subtle facial expressions, RoboThespian can engage audiences and operate in locations such as the Kennedy Space Center, where it responds to inquiries about the Hubble Telescope from interested visitors.
Sophia (Hanson Robotics)
The AI-powered humanoid robot Sophia from Hanson Robotics has journeyed across the globe, appeared on the cover of Cosmopolitan Magazine, featured multiple times on The Tonight Show, and spoken at the United Nations. As one of the most recognized humanoid robots, Sophia is capable of processing visual, emotional, and conversational data to enhance interactions with humans. Recently, Sophia was present at an innovation fair in Zimbabwe.
Surena IV (University of Tehran)
Capable of holding a water bottle, taking a selfie, and writing its name on a whiteboard, Surena IV is the newest humanoid robot from the University of Tehran. IEEE Spectrum notes that Surena IV features enhanced tracking abilities and hands that enable it to operate power tools. It can also modify the angle and position of its feet, enhancing its ability to move over uneven surfaces.
Punyo (Toyota)
Punyo is the newest humanoid robot developed by the Toyota Research Institute. The Japanese term "punyo" is linked to notions of cuteness and resilience, and Punyo reflects these qualities in its squishy appearance. However, Punyo employs a distinct method for lifting objects compared to other humanoids. Rather than relying solely on its hands, Punyo uses its arms and chest to manage heavy objects more naturally.
Walker (UBTECH Robotics)
Featuring enhanced hand-eye coordination and autonomous navigation, Walker, a humanoid service robot from UBTECH Robotics, can safely ascend stairs and balance on one leg. UBTECH has expanded to create an industrial version of Walker as well. Known as Walker S, this updated robot demonstrates improved balance, perception, and motor skills for performing industrial tasks such as tightening bolts, assembling parts, and sorting products. These advancements come as UBTECH prepares to introduce a new wave of humanoid robots.
Phoenix (Sanctuary AI)
Sanctuary AI continues to enhance its humanoid products with the seventh generation of Phoenix. This iteration of Phoenix boasts improved capabilities, particularly in its ability to learn tasks faster than earlier versions. Due to this advanced intelligence, Sanctuary AI has formed partnerships with companies such as Magna International Inc. and Microsoft. The addition of in-hand manipulation also expands the range of applications Phoenix can address.
EVE (1X)
1X claims the distinction of being the first company to introduce an AI-powered humanoid robot into the workforce. The company's robot, EVE, features robust grippers for hands, cameras providing panoramic vision, and two wheels for movement. A voice command feature allows users to instruct EVE to carry out multiple tasks in sequence. Crucially, EVE employs AI to learn new tasks and enhance its performance based on previous experiences. With these capabilities, EVE is poised to expand into sectors such as retail and logistics.
Figure 02 (Figure)
The humanoid robot Figure 02 by Figure is designed to give artificial intelligence a physical presence. It can travel at 2.7 miles per hour, lift 44 pounds, and operate for five hours on its electrical system. Figure 02 is also capable of engaging in natural conversations through speakers and microphones. Although Figure collaborated with OpenAI in 2024 to utilize the company's GPT models for processing voice commands, the partnership has ended, suggesting a “major breakthrough” with its own models.
Alex (Boardwalk Robotics)
Boardwalk Robotics has emphasized practicality with its latest humanoid creation, Alex. Designed without legs, Alex is considered more cost-effective by the company, as many tasks don't require mobility. Consequently, Alex features 19 degrees of freedom, adaptable wrists, and a 22-pound payload capacity, making it perfect for tasks such as sorting items, cleaning products, and performing other maintenance duties. The robot has already demonstrated its capabilities by completing various household chores.
HMND 01 (Humanoid)
London-based Humanoid has unveiled its HMND 01 robot, featuring hands capable of moving faster than humans. The HMND 01 boasts 41 degrees of freedom, can carry up to 33 pounds at once, and typically operates for up to four hours. This robot showcases advanced motor control and hand-eye coordination. Known as Humanoid's "next-gen labour automation unit," the HMND 01 is engineered for use in diverse industrial environments.
G1 (Unitree)
Unitree has made significant progress in advancing its G1 humanoid robot. Equipped with up to 43 joint motors and dexterous hands featuring force control, G1 possesses the flexibility and motor skills necessary to execute various tasks. The robot employs reinforcement learning to consistently learn and enhance its capabilities. Consequently, G1 has shown impressive agility and could be utilized in sectors such as elderly care in China.
תגובות