Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Humanoids

Challenges in bipedal locomotion, dexterous manipulation and power efficiency

by

A look at the key technical hurdles in creating truly functional humanoid robots

Humanoid robots have returned to the center of the robotics conversation. After decades as largely experimental machines confined to laboratories and research demonstrations, they are now attracting serious investment and industrial interest.

Companies such as Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Boston Dynamics are developing humanoid platforms intended not simply as research prototypes but as commercial products capable of working in warehouses, factories, and other industrial environments.

The appeal of humanoid robots is easy to understand. Much of the world’s infrastructure – from doorways and staircases to tools and shelving systems – has been designed for the human body. A robot with roughly human proportions could theoretically operate in those environments without requiring extensive redesign of the workplace. [Read more…] about Challenges in bipedal locomotion, dexterous manipulation and power efficiency

Neura Robotics and TUM launch €17 million RoboGym to train humanoid robots for physical AI

by

Neura Robotics, in collaboration with the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), is launching Europe’s largest training center for Physical AI: the TUM RoboGym (powered by Neura).

The partners are starting with 2,300 m², with plans to expand the space in the near future. Located at the TUM Convergence Center at Munich Airport, a large fleet of humanoid robots will begin training under real-world conditions from mid-2026 onward, marking a major milestone for scaling intelligent machines and strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty.

Professor Lorenzo Masia, director of the TUM RoboGym and executive director of TUM MIRMI, says: “European sovereignty is extremely important in times of geopolitical competition between East and West. [Read more…] about Neura Robotics and TUM launch €17 million RoboGym to train humanoid robots for physical AI

Xiaomi tests humanoid robots on electric vehicle production line in automotive factory

by

Chinese technology giant Xiaomi – best known globally as one of the world’s largest smartphone makers – is testing humanoid robots in its electric vehicle manufacturing operations, according to a company blog post describing early experiments in a factory environment.

The company says two humanoid robots have been deployed in an automotive assembly workstation where they carried out a repetitive fastening task for several hours.

Xiaomi, which built its reputation in consumer electronics including smartphones, tablets and smart home devices, has recently expanded aggressively into new technologies. In 2024 the company launched its first electric vehicle, the SU7 sedan, marking its entry into the highly competitive EV market. [Read more…] about Xiaomi tests humanoid robots on electric vehicle production line in automotive factory

Texas Instruments and Nvidia partner to accelerate humanoid robot development

by

Texas Instruments is accelerating the “safe deployment of humanoid robots into the real world” with Nvidia. By combining TI’s real-time motor control, sensing, radar and power technologies with Nvidia’s advanced robotics compute, Ethernet-based sensing and simulation technologies, robotics developers can validate perception, actuation and safety earlier and more accurately.

TI connects Nvidia physical AI compute to real-world applications with deterministic control, sensing, power and safety at every joint and subsystem. This partnership will help developers move faster from virtual development to production-ready, scalable and safety-compliant systems.

As part of this collaboration, TI designed a sensor fusion solution by integrating its mmWave radar technology with Nvidia Jetson Thor using Nvidia Holoscan Sensor Bridge to enable low-latency, 3D perception and safety awareness for humanoid robots. TI will showcase the solution at Nvidia GTC, March 16–19, 2026, in San Jose, California. [Read more…] about Texas Instruments and Nvidia partner to accelerate humanoid robot development

Honor unveils humanoid robot alongside new AI devices at Mobile World Congress

by

Honor has unveiled its first humanoid robot as part of a broader push into artificial intelligence devices at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona.

The company, best known for its smartphones, used the event to present a range of AI-powered products, including a concept “Robot Phone,” a new foldable handset and several computing devices. But the appearance of a humanoid robot on stage signaled the company’s intention to move beyond traditional consumer electronics into embodied AI systems.

According to Honor, the robot forms part of its wider strategy to develop intelligent machines that can operate in real-world environments and interact with people in more natural ways. [Read more…] about Honor unveils humanoid robot alongside new AI devices at Mobile World Congress

Schaeffler partners with Leju Robotics to advance industrial humanoid robots

by

Industrial motion technology company Schaeffler has entered into a partnership with Leju Robotics, a Chinese company in the field of humanoid robotics.

This is the first cooperation with a Chinese company, joining existing partnerships with well-known manufacturers in Europe and the USA, and represents an important step for Schaeffler in expanding its presence in the global humanoid ecosystem.

The aim of the cooperation is to advance the use of humanoid robots in industrial applications such as intelligent factory inspection, equipment operation support, logistics, and human-robot collaboration. By 2035, Schaeffler plans to integrate a mid-four-digit number of humanoids into its own production. [Read more…] about Schaeffler partners with Leju Robotics to advance industrial humanoid robots

KDDI and Avita partner to develop humanoid robots for real-world service roles

by

KDDI and Avita have announced a strategic partnership aimed at developing humanoid robots powered by what the companies describe as “Physical AI”.

The collaboration, announced March 2, 2026, will focus on building humanoid systems designed for real-world service environments such as retail, healthcare, entertainment and cultural venues.

Under the partnership, Avita will contribute expertise in avatar creation, conversational AI and remote operation technologies, while KDDI will provide communications infrastructure and data systems to support real-time operation of the robots. [Read more…] about KDDI and Avita partner to develop humanoid robots for real-world service roles

BMW to test humanoid robots in production in Germany for the first time

by

The BMW Group is preparing to test humanoid robots in its car production in Europe for the first time, as the company accelerates its push to integrate artificial intelligence directly into factory operations.

The pilot project will take place at the company’s Leipzig plant in Germany, where engineers will test how humanoid robots can work alongside existing manufacturing systems in series vehicle production. The robots will also be evaluated for use in battery assembly and component manufacturing.

The project is part of BMW’s broader effort to introduce what it describes as “Physical AI” – the combination of digital artificial intelligence with physical machines such as robots operating in real industrial environments. [Read more…] about BMW to test humanoid robots in production in Germany for the first time

Toyota Canada to deploy Agility Robotics’ humanoid Digit in manufacturing operations

by

Agility Robotics, creator of the general-purpose humanoid robot Digit, says Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) has signed a commercial agreement with the company.

After a successful pilot, TMMC plans to deploy Agility’s robot, Digit, in its facilities to support employees with manufacturing, supply chain and logistics operations.

Tim Hollander, president, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, says: “Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada has long been a leader in automotive manufacturing innovation. [Read more…] about Toyota Canada to deploy Agility Robotics’ humanoid Digit in manufacturing operations

The state of humanoid robotics: From research labs to real-world potential

by

As 2026 rumbles into life, the humanoid robotics field has generated fresh headlines that underscore both the accelerating pace of innovation and the widening range of actors entering the race.

In Shanghai, robotics startup DroidUp unveiled Moya, billed as the world’s first biomimetic embodied intelligent robot, capable of walking with near-human gait, showing micro-expressions, and maintaining warm skin designed to support more natural interactions with people.

At the same time, a growing wave of Chinese industrial groups – including major automakers and tech conglomerates – has signalled their entry into humanoid robotics, expanding the field from research prototypes to platforms aimed at commercial use cases. [Read more…] about The state of humanoid robotics: From research labs to real-world potential