How humanoid robots land in society — trust, ethics, demos and adoption.
New research from the University of Glasgow indicates that non-human facial designs, such as anime-style features, may be the key to overcoming the uncanny valley in social robotics.
As humanoid developers shift from viral laboratory demonstrations to commercial deployments, industry leaders warn that public trust and rigorous safety standards will determine which machines actually enter the workforce.
A shift in design philosophy at Boston Dynamics sees the new Atlas move away from five-fingered hands in favor of a robust, three-fingered configuration built for real-world labor.
As data providers invest heavily in human movement capture, the race to make bipedal machines walk and work more naturally enters a new phase.
A high-profile defense initiative in Ukraine aims to integrate humanoid robots into hazardous tactical operations alongside drones.
China is leveraging its massive manufacturing infrastructure to accelerate the deployment of humanoid platforms like the GR-2, signaling a pivot toward industrial-scale embodied AI.
The release of ICRA 2026 plenary sessions highlights a maturing industry moving beyond research-only prototypes toward specialized, task-oriented humanoid robotics.
As companies integrate machines like the Digit into their operations, the reality of long-term maintenance and decommissioning is emerging as a critical, often overlooked operational challenge.
A new open-source benchmark tests if AI agents can autonomously design and iterate on robotic hardware, shifting the focus from digital coding to physical assembly.
As companies like OLogic refine how robots learn from human demonstrations, the focus shifts toward how these machines will navigate shared spaces alongside workers.
As Agility Robotics advances the Digit platform, the industry is shifting focus from viral acrobatic demos to the rigorous safety certifications required for human-robot workplace collaboration.
As humanoid platforms like Atlas move beyond research labs, the focus shifts from technical capability to the nuanced realities of public trust, workforce integration, and long-term societal impact.
As medical automation like the Vitestro blood-drawing robot enters clinics, the industry must reconcile high-precision clinical tasks with the broader social integration of humanoids like the Unitree G1.
A recent viral video showcases a humanoid robot successfully navigating monkey bars, a feat that demonstrates significant advancements in bipedal locomotion and balance. This agility demo sparks public imagination about the future capabilities and physical potential of human-like
A new brain study reveals that when expressive humanoid robots like Atlas fail to perform smoothly, human trust drops significantly, complicating their integration into social spaces.
As AI companion robots become more sophisticated, they are increasingly integrated into daily life, sparking conversations about their role in fostering human connection and addressing social needs. This trend highlights the evolving relationship between people and interactive ma
The 2026 RoboCup tournament achieved a significant milestone by hosting the first 11-vs-11 soccer match played entirely by humanoid robots.
A new study reveals that when socially expressive humanoid robots make mistakes, human trust drops more sharply than it does for their stoic, mechanical counterparts.
As manufacturers push machines like the Unitree G1 to perform extreme athletic feats, roboticists are questioning whether superhuman capabilities actually solve real-world problems.
At a Beijing exhibition, Chinese companies showcased humanoid and quadruped robots for roles from patrols to missile handling. These demonstrations prompt critical questions about public trust, safety, and the ethical implications of deploying autonomous machines in sensitive, hi
As the Unitree G1 maker sees its valuation skyrocket in a blockbuster Shanghai debut, China is aggressively trialing humanoid robots in schools and hotels to prep the public for a robotic workforce.
New research into universal manipulation interfaces is changing how developers train humanoid robots like the Generalist platform to perform complex physical tasks.
As humanoid robotics firms eye public listings, Agility Robotics' use of SPAC mergers highlights the complex financial strategies needed to scale production and maintain market trust.
The new RoboDojo platform aims to bring rigorous benchmarking to embodied AI, providing a clearer way to measure the real-world capabilities of humanoids.
The burgeoning humanoid robotics market, projected to reach $370 billion, underscores the critical role of integrated design in driving successful adoption and manufacturer success. This includes addressing public perception and practical integration challenges.
As humanoid platforms like the Unitree H1 integrate into critical infrastructure, new cybersecurity tools for NVIDIA Isaac Sim highlight the growing need to harden robots against remote exploitation.
New MIT research on AI-generated virtual environments aims to bridge the gap between training and real-world performance for robots like the Unitree G1.
Google DeepMind's latest robotics AI model highlights a growing shift from hardware engineering to pure software intelligence, directly challenging OpenAI's dominance in powering the next generation of humanoid assistants.
As legged robots, including humanoids, transition from research labs to practical applications, a new study highlights critical societal implications. Ethical questions concerning surveillance capabilities, potential job displacement, and accountability in military operations are
Japan, a historical leader in humanoid robotics, is now confronting intense global competition, particularly from China. A recent Humanoids Summit highlighted the nation's efforts to maintain its pioneering edge in a rapidly evolving field.
A Qualcomm-powered humanoid robot unexpectedly faltered during a live presentation, underscoring the gap between polished promotional videos and the current state of real-world robotic performance. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving robust, reliable bipe
The FCC's recent decision to restrict the import of certain foreign humanoid and mobile robots into the U.S. signals a significant shift, impacting market competition and the array of machines available to the public.
A new robotic fingertip sensor mimics human touch by detecting fine surface details and color, enhancing manipulation capabilities for humanoid robots.
Advances in integrated actuators are improving humanoid robot joint performance, enabling more compact, efficient, and responsive designs critical for real-world deployments.
Holiday Robotics secured $105 million to develop FRIDAY, a wheeled humanoid robot featuring dexterous upper-body manipulation and hot-swappable batteries for extended operation.
A humanoid robot has demonstrated the ability to learn diverse tasks such as bowling and folding towels autonomously, showcasing advances in adaptive robotics.
Humanoid, a U.K. startup focused on AI-powered industrial humanoid robots, secured $152 million in Series A funding to expand its commercial deployments amid a $1.35 billion valuation.
Boston Dynamics will discuss design strategies for safe and effective human-robot interaction, highlighting challenges in integrating humanoid robots with people.
China has unveiled a new brain-to-robot interface platform designed to translate human neural signals into commands for robots, potentially enhancing how humanoid machines understand and execute human intent.
Sarah Downs, a graduate student, is enhancing NASA's humanoid robots by equipping them with advanced assembly capabilities, a key step toward practical deployment.