Humanoids—Opportunities for production Humanoid Robots on the Verge of Entering the Industry

Related Vendors

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA)

SIMTOS (Seoul International Machine Tool Show)

Humanoid robots are intended to be flexibly deployed at existing workplaces, relieve employees, and ensure quality. Initial industrial tests are already underway, and series models are in planning. Costs and energy consumption are still constraints, but advances in AI and manufacturing are accelerating practical implementation.

Automation has long been established in the industry, but so far, specialized machines and industrial robots have dominated production halls. Now, humanoid robots are the next developmental stage in the focus of research and industry. With a human-like form, advanced sensors, and artificial intelligence, they are intended to be flexibly deployable and collaborate with human workers.

But how advanced is this technology really? Are humanoid robots already being used productively, or are they still a thing of the future? Malte Janssen, Product Manager at reichelt elektronik, highlights the potential of humanoid robots in the industry, showcases current developments, and provides an outlook on their possible impact on the working world.

Gallery

What Makes a Robot Humanoid?

Humanoid robots are machines whose construction and movement capabilities are modeled after the human body. Arms, legs, hands, and head serve not only the form but primarily the function: enabling movements, gripping, and interaction abilities that mimic human work methods.

Unlike traditional industrial robots, which mostly operate on stationary axes, or cobots, which are optimized for specific assistance tasks, humanoid robots are intended to be broadly deployable. They can move, use tools, and work in changing production areas—similar to human colleagues.

Technological Basis: Progress on Three Levels

The development of humanoid robots is based on an interplay of various technologies. Advanced drive systems, highly mobile joints, and precise grippers enable fine movements and stable locomotion. Sensors for balance and environment detection ensure that the robots can operate safely even in dynamic environments.

The control center is the artificial intelligence. It enables the flexible handling of complex tasks, the optimization of processes, and the ability to respond to new situations. Through machine learning, algorithms continuously adapt based on data and become more precise.

Modern humanoid robots are also increasingly understanding language and gestures. This lowers entry barriers for operation and collaboration and is an important factor for their acceptance in mixed teams of humans and machines.

Applications: From the Lab to Practice

The applications for humanoid robots are diverse—and some models are almost ready for everyday industrial use:

• Atlas by Boston Dynamics is considered the most advanced humanoid robot in the world today. Originally developed for research and testing environments, it demonstrates impressive capabilities in balance, agility, and complex movements. Although it is not yet being mass-produced, its tests showcase the potential humanoid robots have for dynamic industrial environments.
• Future humanoid robots could navigate complex and changing environments independently—without relying on pre-programmed routes. This would enable them to adapt spontaneously to new situations, avoid obstacles, and autonomously determine the most efficient path to their destination. Their ability to work with existing tools, machines, and infrastructure opens up a wide range of applications—from logistics and manufacturing to rescue and disaster operations. In contrast to stationary industrial robots, they bring true mobility and flexibility to a variety of work environments.
• In Germany, Neura Robotics is working on industrial implementation. The company from Metzingen has unveiled the humanoid robot 4NE-1, which caused a stir at the IFA in Berlin. The plan: within two years, serial models are to be available for widespread use, including in industry. Target industries are primarily assembly, manufacturing, and logistics, where flexible automation is particularly in demand.
• At automotive supplier Schaeffler, humanoid robots are already being practically tested. They take over steps in assembly processes that require precision and relieve employees. Initial results show that the targeted use of humanoid robots significantly reduces ergonomic strain—for example, by handling heavy or cumbersome tasks. This has a positive impact on health, reduces sick leave, and increases both productivity and employee satisfaction in the long term.

On Two Legs into the Future

Schaeffler and Neura Robotics Focus on Humanoid Robots

Advantages for the Industry

The use of humanoid robots promises a significant increase in adaptability in production environments. Since they are modeled after humans in form and function, they can be deployed at existing workplaces without requiring extensive structural modifications.

Another advantage lies in efficiency. Humanoid robots work with consistent precision, regardless of shift lengths or fatigue, thereby meeting high-quality standards. At the same time, they relieve employees from physically demanding or monotonous tasks, which not only promotes health but also reduces the error rate.

These factors make humanoid robots an interesting component for flexible production—especially in industries that need to respond quickly to changing demands.

Challenges and Lmitations

Despite their potential, humanoid robots still face some hurdles. A key issue is energy consumption. Models like Atlas are impressive in terms of mobility but require a lot of energy to operate stably and persistently. Additionally, movement speed and stability are not yet at the level of specialized machines for use in highly synchronized production lines.

Ultimately, the cost-benefit factor remains crucial. Acquisition costs are currently still high. However, serial productions like the planned manufacturing of the 4NE-1 could provide significant relief in the near future. Maintenance also plays a key role: humanoid robots require regular inspections, software updates, and the replacement of wear-prone components to ensure their reliability and safety. Advances in modular design and remote diagnostics could significantly reduce maintenance costs in the future and minimize downtime, further improving their economic viability.

Outlook: From Pilot Project to Series Solution

The coming years will determine how quickly humanoid robots find their place in the industry. Advances in AI, sensor technology, and control systems, as well as decreasing production costs, will facilitate their introduction.

For companies, humanoid robots could become a decisive component in Industry 4.0: flexible, mobile, and universally applicable. For the working world, this does not mean a replacement for human labor but an expansion of possibilities—away from monotonous tasks and toward more challenging roles in programming, maintenance, and system integration.

This makes it clear: Humanoid robots are no longer a distant vision of the future. They are on the verge of becoming part of industrial reality, offering the industry the chance to actively shape this transformation.

Design simulation for industrial robots

How to make your production more flexible with robotics