Humanoid robots: No job fears for industrial workers

Robotics Conference in Vienna Humanoid Robots Still Have a Lot to Learn

2026-06-12 Source: Pressemitteilung Austria Presse Agentur | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

Related Vendors

FAULHABER Drive Systems

tmts2026-ticec-banner-en-2000px (https://www.tmts.tw/en)

Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA)

SIMTOS (Seoul International Machine Tool Show)

Industrial and warehouse workers do not need to fear for their jobs because of humanoid robots yet. For deployment in factories, for example, the AI of humanoids still requires extensive training, as experts emphasized at the ICRA robotics conference in Vienna, Austria. In the medium term, however, they will become part of the working world.

The Linz start-up Iono Robotics presented "Workmate".(Image: APA/Christoph Schlemmer) — The Linz start-up Iono Robotics presented "Workmate".
(Image: APA/Christoph Schlemmer)

The world's largest professional conference for robotics and automation, the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), brought more than 8,000 experts from research and industry to Vienna, Austria from June 1 to 6, 2026. In addition to scientific lectures, over 140 companies and research institutes presented their latest developments. Manufacturers of humanoid robots showcased their newest models.

Rapid Market Development Expected by 2035

The consulting firm Roland Berger predicts "an industrial scaling" in the coming years. Thomas Kirschstein, a consultant at Roland Berger, recently told the APA that by 2035, the number of humanoid robots in use could rise to up to 50 million in an optimistic scenario.

During an APA conference tour at the Vienna Exhibition Center, it became apparent that numerous humanoid robots are still manually controlled by humans using a joystick. The major Chinese manufacturers Agibot and Unitree showcased their robots at the conference, which can operate autonomously and are equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI). In the USA and Europe, many prototypes are still under development, whereas in China, mass production is already ramping up. Agibot produced around 5,000 humanoid robots by the end of 2025, and by the end of March 2026, the number had already reached 10,000. The buyers of these robots, such as industrial corporations or research institutions, still need to extensively train their AI for the intended applications.

Numerous robots are still manually controlled by humans.(Image: APA/Christoph Schlemmer) — Numerous robots are still manually controlled by humans.
(Image: APA/Christoph Schlemmer)

Agibot is focusing its first larger deliveries and deployments primarily on the Chinese market. Most of the robots delivered so far are being used for testing purposes in industrial manufacturing, logistics, or interactive services, according to Agibot in a statement to APA. Expansion in Europe is still at an early stage. "For Austria and the broader European market, we are actively seeking dialogue with potential industry partners and exploring possibilities together with them," said an Agibot spokesperson.

Robot Revolution or Expensive Hype?

Advancements in AI and robotics hardware could potentially enable humanoid systems to operate at operating costs of around two US dollars per hour, predicts the consultancy Roland Berger. "Currently, there are no productive humanoid robots in operation. Industrial companies are experimenting with isolated tasks, such as assembly or logistics," reports robotics expert Kirschstein. However, there are also critical voices warning of an expensive hype surrounding humanoid robots.

A "state-of-the-art" humanoid robot from China currently costs around 100,000 euros (approx. $107,000). In the coming years, the price for these models could drop to 20,000 to 30,000 euros (approx. $21,500 to $32,000). "We anticipate a business case for humanoid robots in factories by 2028," expects Kirschstein.

"Workmate" robot from Linz, Austria

In Europe, there are around 20 start-ups in the field of humanoid robotics, including the Linz-based start-up Iono Robotics. The domestic company sources some components from China, but the robot head and sensor suit are in-house developments. Currently, they are testing deployment, for example, with local industrial companies.

The robotics conference in Vienna, Austria addressed not only technological developments but also the question of what role robotics and automation will play in the economy and society in the future.

The companies that automate well and are innovative will endure in the long term.

Markus Vincze, Professor at TU Wien and General Chair of the ICRA Conference

For Europe, it will become increasingly important to keep production, know-how, and technological development within its own economic area, according to Prof. Markus Vincze of TU Wien, Austria. Fixed, classic industrial robots, such as those from ABB, Fanuc, or Kuka, perform clearly defined tasks. However, modern robotics systems use AI, and the robots can flexibly perform tasks.

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.

Humanoid Robots and the Security Issue

"Especially when robots work alongside humans, additional safety mechanisms are needed," says Vincze. With AI alone, it is not yet possible to guarantee that a system will always operate within safe boundaries.

Outside of industrial companies, robotics is expected to eventually support people in their everyday lives. "I am convinced that in the next ten to fifteen years, we will see significantly more robotics in daily life," Vincze predicts. "Not as science fiction, but as practical assistance in everyday life."