Humanoid robots are no longer confined to science fiction. Picture a world where robots not only assist us in factories but also greet us in stores, assist in surgeries, and provide care for our loved ones. With Tesla planning to deploy thousands of Optimus robots by 2026, the era of humanoid robots is fast approaching.
This vision is becoming more tangible as companies unveil groundbreaking innovations. The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) featured examples of how robotics is evolving, both in terms of functionality and human-centered design. Notable displays included ADAM, the robot bartender from Richtech Robotics, capable of mixing over 50 drinks while interacting with customers, and the puppy robots from Tombot Inc., designed to comfort older adults with dementia by wagging their tails and making soothing sounds. While these robots and others at the CES may have niche markets, widespread adoption is still in its early stages.
Real progress is being made in humanoid robotics, with generative AI enabling robots to learn, sense, and adapt in complex environments. From Tesla’s Optimus to Realbotix’s Aria, the coming decade will see a surge in humanoid robots.
However, experts like Yann LeCun, one of the “Godfathers of AI,” caution that achieving fully human-like robots remains a distant objective. LeCun points out that current AI systems lack the ability to plan, reason, or understand the physical world, making fully intelligent robots a challenge. Despite these concerns, advancements are rapidly unfolding.
Tesla’s plans to produce thousands of Optimus units in 2025 and ship 50,000 to 100,000 by 2026 mark a significant leap from the few units currently performing specialized tasks. While Elon Musk has missed timelines in the past, such as his 2016 prediction of fully autonomous driving within two years, his vision for humanoid robots remains ambitious and noteworthy.
Tesla is not alone in this endeavor. Other companies like Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics, and Figure AI are making significant strides in humanoid robotics. Agility Robotics CEO Peggy Johnson believes it will soon be “very normal” for humanoid robots to work alongside humans in various workplaces. Meanwhile, Figure recently announced the deployment of their F.02 humanoid robots in commercial settings, with substantial backing from major investors like Microsoft and Nvidia, positioning them as strong competitors in the growing humanoid robot market.
The ChatGPT moment for robotics is coming
While World Labs and GenEx push the boundaries of AI reasoning, Nvidia’s Cosmos and GR00T are addressing the challenges of equipping humanoid robots with real-world adaptability and interactive capabilities. Cosmos is a family of AI “world foundation models” that help robots understand physics and spatial relationships, while GR00T (Generalist Robot 00 Technology) allows robots to learn by watching humans — like how an apprentice learns from a master. Together, these technologies help robots understand both what to do and how to do it naturally.
These innovations reflect a broader push in the robotics industry to equip humanoid robots with both cognitive and physical adaptability. GR00T could enable humanoid robots to help in healthcare by observing and mimicking medical professionals, while GenEx might allow robots to navigate disaster zones by inferring environments from limited visual input. As reported by Investor’s Business Daily, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said: “The ChatGPT moment for robotics is coming.”
Another company working to create physical AI models is Google DeepMind. Timothy Brooks, a research scientist there, posted this month on X about company plans to make large-scale gen models that simulate the physical world.
These emerging physical world models will better predict, plan and learn from experience, all fundamental capabilities for future humanoid robots.
The rise of robots
As we move into 2025, humanoid robots remain largely in the prototype phase. In the short term, they will be deployed in specialized areas such as manufacturing, logistics, and disaster response, where automation can provide immediate benefits. Broader uses, such as caregiving and retail interactions, will develop as the technology advances. However, rapid progress in AI and mechanical engineering is accelerating the development of humanoid robots.
Accenture, in its “2025 Technology Vision” report, highlights the growing ecosystem of robotics hardware, software, and AI models designed to enable machine autonomy in human environments. The consulting firm predicts: “Over the next decade, robots will begin to interact with people more casually and frequently, adapt to unplanned tasks, and independently take actions in diverse environments.”
Wall Street firm Morgan Stanley projects that the U.S. could have eight million humanoid robots by 2040, rising to 63 million by 2050. The firm attributes this growth to both technological advancements and long-term demographic trends, such as labor shortages, which are expected to accelerate their development and adoption.
Building Trustworthy Robots
In addition to technical challenges, societal concerns present significant hurdles. Public skepticism could slow the adoption of humanoid robots, even in fields where their benefits are evident. For these robots to succeed, they must be perceived as trustworthy and beneficial to society. As MIT Technology Review noted, “Few people would feel warm and comfortable with such a robot if it walked into their living room right now.”
To address these concerns, researchers are working to make robots appear more relatable. For example, Japanese engineers have developed robotic face masks made from human skin cells to enhance their lifelike appearance. According to a study published last summer, reported by The New York Times, the lead researcher explained, “Human-like faces and expressions improve communication and empathy in human-robot interactions.”
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