#28 Humanoids Are Gaining Speed. What’s Next?

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Last week brought a wave of changes to the humanoid robot market—I swear, they’re picking up speed like a snowball rolling downhill. Let’s just hope they don’t crash into something solid… like the brutal realities of everyday life. 😆

Figure finally revealed what they’ve been working on for so long - Helix AI, their approach to artificial intelligence in humanoid robots.
Clone introduced its first biomimetic robot, Protoclone -a terrifyingly realistic machine that’s guaranteed to give someone goosebumps.
And then there’s 1X, which looks like a walking cream puff and would easily win the title of the cutest home robot.

Now, Let’s Get to the Point.

What’s the deal with humanoids? Are they coming for our cushy jobs? Will we be living in a sci-fi movie in 10 years?

Let’s break it down.

We are living through yet another technological revolution. Period.
Humanoid robots will completely transform manufacturing. That’s where I see the biggest shift happening first. Sure, they’ll make their way into everyday life, but at a much slower pace compared to industrial adoption.

That being said, we’re still far from seeing them used at scale in factories. There’s a long road ahead. But credit where credit is due - over the past year, something that was once just a sketch on paper has turned into reality. These robots can already handle basic tasks.

Limitations: What’s Holding Them Back?

Right now, humanoid robots have a lot of limitations. Let’s start with flexibility. Compared to humans, their dexterity and adaptability are nowhere close. So far, they can only perform the simplest tasks, like moving materials from machines to AGVs. That’s it. So welders, you can relax, your jobs are safe. For now.

But their limitations don’t stop there. Mobility is another issue. Sure, they have an edge over AGVs, which can only move on perfectly smooth surfaces, but humanoids? Their movements still look stiff, almost as if they’re recovering from a mild stroke.

Collaboration, Not Replacement

Looking at the way humanoid robots are evolving, one thing is clear: they’re just another tool in the toolbox.

They won’t replace people—they’ll work with them.

↳ Traditional robots will handle assembly.
↳ AGVs will transport materials across long distances.
↳ Humanoids will bridge the gaps between processes.

Their role will be supportive rather than dominant. Think of cobots. Everyone predicted they’d replace humans, but in reality, they became just another tool to improve efficiency. The same thing will happen with humanoids.

What About Maintenance?

Every robot needs servicing. And let’s be real, the more complex the machine, the harder (and more expensive) it is to repair. Humanoids will be no exception.

This will be the ultimate test of which models are actually practical. The best ones will be designed with easy maintenance in mind—because if they’re a nightmare to repair, they won’t survive in the market.

I’m betting that humanoid manufacturers will follow the same path as traditional robotics companies. Instead of building massive service centers, they’ll create a network of specialized partners who can handle maintenance and repairs.

The Future? It’s Not If, It’s When.

You can resist it, deny it, and fight it all you want, but… humanoid robots are coming. Fighting against this is like fighting gravity… You’re not gonna win.

Of course, there are still plenty of issues to solve. But none of them are impossible to fix.

If I were a manufacturer, I’d focus on human-robot communication. Specifically, non-verbal communication. Think about it: humans interact using gestures, facial expressions, and subtle cues that machines don’t yet understand. If robots could pick up on those, it would make social integration way easier.

Improving this aspect could help overcome one of the biggest hurdles. Getting society to actually accept humanoid robots in daily life.

That’s It for Today.

Now, sip your coffee and get back to your emails, while also thinking about what you’ll name your future robo-buddy. 😉

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