Industrial automation is entering a new era with the rise of humanoid robots – machines that not only resemble human form but can also work in human-oriented environments. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have been key to this transformation, equipping robots with vision, learning ability, and decision-making powers that far exceed the pre-programmed industrial robots of the past. The result is a new class of robotic workers capable of tackling tasks that are dirty, dull, or dangerous for humans, and doing so in settings like factories and warehouses that were originally designed for people. The convergence of humanoid robotics and AI is enabling these robots to step off the pages of science fiction and onto the factory floor in a very real way.
The Rise of Humanoids in Industry
For decades, factories have used industrial robots – typically single-purpose robotic arms bolted to the floor or assembly line. These traditional robots are extremely efficient at repetitive tasks but lack flexibility. In contrast, humanoid robots are envisioned as general-purpose machines that can navigate the same spaces as people and perform a variety of jobs.
AI: The Brain Behind Humanoid Robotics
What sets this new generation of robots apart from the old assembly-line automatons is their artificial intelligence. Today’s humanoid robots possess advanced AI “brains” that enable them to perceive their surroundings, learn from vast datasets, and make autonomous decisions. These capabilities stem from breakthroughs in machine learning and computer vision, where sophisticated AI models and abundant training data have transformed robots from rigid, pre-programmed machines into adaptive, productive workers capable of continuous improvement.
For example, a facility in China operates dozens of humanoid robots for up to 17 hours a day, performing tasks such as folding laundry and opening doors. The massive datasets generated by these activities feed back into the robots’ AI systems, allowing them to learn complex tasks more reliably over time—an autodidact process that would have been impossible before recent advances in AI.
Key training techniques for emerging humanoid robots include:
- Machine Learning: Robots use machine learning algorithms to analyze sensor data and learn from past actions, enabling real-time decision-making and continuous performance optimization.
- Imitation Learning: By observing and replicating human movements—captured via cameras or sensors—robots can acquire nuanced skills that are difficult to encode with traditional programming.
- Reinforcement Learning: Through a system of rewards and penalties, robots iteratively refine their behavior. Correct actions are reinforced, while mistakes are discouraged, resulting in improved performance through trial and error.
Together, these AI-driven methods are giving humanoid robots the ability to adapt, learn, and excel in environments once thought to be the exclusive domain of human workers.
What Are the Real-World Use Cases for Humanoid Robots?
From manufacturing to healthcare, disaster response to customer service, humanoid robots can enhance human worker safety, productivity, and user experiences. While most humanoid use cases are in early R&D phases, there’s tremendous excitement for their potential across industries to augment human workforces.
Manufacturing
Manufacturers can use humanoid robots in factories to support automation and work alongside their human workforce. With degrees of freedom (DOF) that resemble human flexibility, humanoids can handle parts to assist in assembly line tasks, perform repetitive or physically demanding work, and carry out inspection and maintenance tasks.
Warehouse and Logistics
Humanoid robots can perform tasks such as picking and packing products, receiving deliveries, managing inventory, and handling materials that require delicate manipulation. They can also collaborate with other robots such as robotic arms and autonomous mobile robots, as well as their human counterparts.
Healthcare
Humanoid robots are expected to complement human healthcare workers, potentially revolutionizing patient care, healthcare facility operations, and medical procedures.
Home Assistants
Humanoid robots can perform daily tasks like cleaning, cooking, and doing laundry. With natural language processing and machine learning, they can even communicate with humans and adapt to routines and preferences.
Customer Service
Humanoids can be employed in customer service roles in retail stores, airports, hotels, and other public spaces. They can provide information, guide customers to various locations, and handle basic inquiries—enhancing both operational efficiency and customer experiences.
What Are the Challenges to Developing Humanoid Robots?
Limited Training Data
Training AI models for effective humanoid robots requires an incredible amount of data. Precise human movements that humanoids are trained to mimic, along with the unpredictable nature of real-world scenarios, make it extremely challenging to gather and label the necessary data for optimal robot performance. Synthetically generated data can help address this challenge by creating artificial datasets that simulate various environments and movements.
Design
Humanoid robots must be lightweight, versatile, and powerful. Their control systems must also provide the balance and coordination needed for bipedal movement, while advanced sensors and actuators need to be precise and gentle enough to mimic the dexterity of the human hand. In addition, onboard computing systems must be small enough to fit on the humanoid form factor while having enough compute to run advanced AI models with low latency.
Energy Efficiency
Limited space for onboard batteries means that humanoids need to operate in a way that maximizes functionality while minimizing energy consumption. It’s crucial that autonomous robots can perform complex tasks without rapidly depleting their energy supplies.
Degrees of Freedom
Increased DOF allow humanoid robots to operate with greater dexterity and more human-like movements, letting them perform a wider range of tasks and adapt to various environments. However, this requires coordination across complex mechanical and control systems.
Some of the most advanced humanoid robots to date
1. The new Thai police robot
Developed in collaboration by the Provincial Police of Region 7, the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Police and the Nakhon Pathom Municipality, this Robocop -style officer has been making a lot of noise in recent days, putting privacy and security experts on alert . According to the Thai police, in fact, the AI Police Cyborg 1.0 is equipped with an artificial intelligence system that allows it to analyze footage from CCTV cameras installed on the streets in real time. A technological endowment that allows it to use facial recognition to identify any suspects or dangerous individuals , to identify the presence of weapons and to detect violent and/or disturbing behavior.
2. Figure
Figure is an AI robotics company that has developed a robot for use in logistics. Their robot, known as Figure 01 , is capable of performing a wide range of tasks across various industries, aiming to solve current factory labor shortages and taking on physically demanding or dangerous tasks. Thanks to its partnership with OpenAI , the company that makes ChatGpt, the robot has received a boost in its computing capabilities, allowing it to understand natural language , reason, and move fluidly. In a recent demonstration, Figure co-founder Brett Adcock asks the robot for “something to eat” without specifying the red apple on the table. And Figure 01, without hesitation, grabs the fruit and casually hands it to the human in front of him.
With a payload capacity of up to 20 kilos and a battery life of 5 hours , Figure 01 is agile and versatile, suitable for a variety of work environments. Furthermore, the company has recently entered into a partnership with the German car manufacturer BMW.
3. Optimus – Tesla
Although Tesla is famous for producing electric vehicles, it has also made significant progress in the field of robotics . The latest version of the humanoid robot from Musk’s company, known as Optimus, is capable of moving at about 0.6 meters per second, a speed increase of over 30% since the end of last year.
Made with actuators, sensors, batteries and AI designed by Tesla, compared to the previous one it is 30% faster, weighs 10 kilos less and has more precise hands. The latter are in fact one of the most critical components in the design phase: in the video released by the company you can see the robot handling an egg without breaking it .
The specifications of Optimus include a height of about 172 centimeters and a load capacity of 20 kilos, allowing the robot to manage a wide range of tasks, from the manipulation of small objects to more physically demanding actions.
4. PM01
The EngineAI PM01 is a next-generation humanoid robot that combines affordability, agility, and research-focused design. Engineered for both academic and commercial use, it serves as a versatile testbed for AI and robotics research. Unlike many high-cost humanoids, PM01 is open-source, allowing researchers and developers to experiment with AI models, locomotion control, and human-robot interaction. With its highly adaptive bipedal walking gait, PM01 mimics human movement more fluidly than traditional humanoid robots, making it a promising candidate for applications in automation, service robotics, and human-assistive tasks.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the fusion of advanced AI and humanoid robotics is enabling machines to step into roles that once only humans could perform in industrial settings. Warehouse logistics, manufacturing processes, and quality control are already being enhanced by these AI-powered humanoids. They offer the promise of greater productivity, improved safety, and operational agility for companies willing to invest in the future. At the same time, their adoption will challenge organizations to manage change thoughtfully, upskilling workers and rethinking workflows to fully leverage human-robot teams.
The story of humanoid robots in industrial automation is just beginning, but it is undoubtedly one of the most exciting developments in technology today – a true thought leadership frontier where innovation in AI and robotics is redefining how we think about work on the factory floor.
By staying informed and engaged with these trends, industries can navigate the coming transformation and ensure that humans and humanoid robots build a better, more efficient future together.
