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The Humanoid Robot Race: Five Players, One Factory Floor

Not long ago, humanoid robots felt like science fair projects.
They danced. They stumbled.
Fun to watch, but hardly useful.

That era’s over.

Now, five companies are fighting to make robots as common as forklifts.
Not someday.
Today.
Not dozens.
Thousands.

Let me walk you through the race and share where my eyes are locked.

1. Figure AI: Robots Building Robots

Let’s start in Silicon Valley.
Figure AI is moving fast—almost too fast.
They’ve opened BotQ, a factory built to crank out 12,000 humanoids a year, not ten years from now, but now.
They scrapped slow methods, swapped in injection molding, die casting, digital production lines.

What’s wild?
Their roadmap isn’t stopping at mass production.
Their new model, Figure 3, is being built so humanoids can start assembling other humanoids.

And honestly?
I love what they’re doing.
It’s bold, tight, and brilliantly planned.
But I can’t help but wonder.. Can they clear that last hurdle before the finish line?
I’m rooting for them, hard.

2. Tesla: Assembly Lines to Mars

Now, what’s a tech race without Elon Musk stirring things up?

Tesla’s Optimus bots are slated to hit 10,000 units by 2025, rolling out first inside Tesla’s own factories.
Classic Musk move, test at home before scaling.

But here’s where it gets peak Elon:
By 2026, one Optimus will hitch a ride on a SpaceX Starship to Mars.
Robots first.
Humans after.

Look, we all know Musk talks big.
Not everything he promises lands.
But the thing is, he only needs a fraction to come true to change the game.
Say what you want, but the man knows how to make tech matter.

Fingers crossed.

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3. Agility Robotics: Digit, The Invisible Worker

Here’s a personal favorite underdog: Digit from Agility Robotics.
One of the earliest weird humanoids. Those bird-like legs aren’t just quirky; they’re genius.
Better balance, better movement, built for real work.

Agility doesn’t flood social media.
They don’t need to.
Last year, they opened the world’s first humanoid factory, aiming for 10,000 units/year.
BMW’s already running Digits on their production lines.

They’re not chasing headlines. They’re just delivering.
I have huge respect for that.
Quiet, focused, relentless.

4. Apptronik: Apollo, Built to Scale (and My Favorite to Watch)

Now, Apptronik.
Texas-based.
Strategic from day one.

Their humanoid, Apollo, wasn’t built for demo shows.
It’s modular. Easy to manufacture. Ready to scale.

But here’s what really hooks me:
They’ve partnered with Google DeepMind (for the AI brain) and Jabil (for manufacturing muscle).
That’s a serious combo.
If anyone’s setting up to drop a superhuman-level robot into the world, it’s them.

Personally?
This is the company I’m watching the closest.

5. Agibot: China’s Silent Surge

Then there’s Agibot, a Shanghai’s dark horse.
Last year, they rolled out 1,000 humanoids.
No noise, no PR splash.

But here’s my hunch:
They’re hiding something bigger.

It’s classic China.
While others talk, they act.
And when they scale, they do it at terrifying speed.

With plans to send humanoid bots to the Moon’s South Pole by 2028, I wouldn't be surprised if they’re quietly preparing a play that’ll catch the rest of the world off guard.

I’m betting on it.

Why Now? Why This Time?

Each company has its strategy:

• Figure AI wants robots building robots.

• Tesla wants bots in factories—then on Mars.

• Agility Robotics has Digit already on factory floors.

• Apptronik is laying the smartest foundation I’ve seen.

• Agibot is the wildcard, but watch them—they move silently, then strike.

The difference today?
They’re not building prototypes.
They’re building product lines.

2025 won’t be the year humanoids walk into your living room.
But it’ll be the year they quietly take over warehouses, assembly lines, and supply chains.

And by 2026—don’t be shocked if the world’s bending itself to fit them.

Thanks for today! 

Cheers, Jacek