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humanoid robots

Renault reportedly planning to deploy 350 humanoid robots in manufacturing push

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Automotive giant Renault Group is planning to deploy up to 350 humanoid robots across its manufacturing operations over the next 18 months, in what would represent one of the largest industrial rollouts of humanoid systems to date.

The initiative, developed in partnership with Wandercraft, was outlined during Renault’s recent “futuREady” strategy event, with details reported by Metrology News.

The robots – part of the Calvin platform – are already operating in production environments. At Renault’s Douai plant in France, a humanoid unit is being used for tyre-handling tasks, a physically demanding process traditionally carried out by human workers. [Read more…] about Renault reportedly planning to deploy 350 humanoid robots in manufacturing push

China creates first national standards for humanoid robots to support industry scale-up

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China has introduced its first comprehensive national standard framework for humanoid robots, marking a significant step toward scaling the industry from early experimentation to large-scale commercialization.

The framework – titled the “Humanoid Robot and Embodied Intelligence Standard System” (2026 Edition) – was presented at a technical committee meeting in Beijing on February 28, 2026, bringing together more than 120 researchers, executives, and policymakers. [Read more…] about China creates first national standards for humanoid robots to support industry scale-up

McDonald’s tests humanoid robots in Shanghai pilot

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Global fast-food giant McDonald’s is testing humanoid service robots at a restaurant in Shanghai, as part of an early-stage effort to explore automation in customer-facing environments.

According to reports from tech publications including T3 and Digital Trends, the pilot involves robots developed by Keenon Robotics performing a range of front-of-house tasks. [Read more…] about McDonald’s tests humanoid robots in Shanghai pilot

Techman Robot showcases humanoid system with motion capture training at GTC 2026

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Techman Robot has presented its latest developments in the area of humanoid robotics at Nvidia GTC 2026, including a motion capture-based training approach for its TM Xplore I platform.

The company also announced a collaboration with j-mex, integrating wearable motion capture technology into its robotics development workflow. [Read more…] about Techman Robot showcases humanoid system with motion capture training at GTC 2026

From industrial robot arms to humanoids: Nvidia tightens its grip on the future of robotics

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Nvidia is rapidly emerging as the central technology provider to the global robotics industry, with a growing list of partners spanning traditional industrial robot manufacturers, surgical robotics firms, and a new wave of humanoid startups.

In a sweeping set of announcements at its GTC conference, the company revealed that many of the world’s best-known robotics companies – including ABB, Fanuc, Yaskawa and Kuka – are now building on its platforms, alongside newer entrants such as Agility Robotics, Figure AI and 1X.

The breadth of that ecosystem suggests a shift that has been under way for several years: robotics is becoming an AI-driven industry, and Nvidia is positioning itself as the default supplier of the underlying compute, simulation and software infrastructure. [Read more…] about From industrial robot arms to humanoids: Nvidia tightens its grip on the future of robotics

Agibot stages robot-led live show to demonstrate humanoids operating at scale

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Agibot, a humanoid robotics company specializing in embodied intelligence, recently hosted something it called “Agibot Night”, a robot-led gala show streamed live across the internet to millions. 

The 60-minute program marks the world’s first large-scale live event fully led by humanoid robots, where humanoid robots took center stage to perform dance, magic, comedy, and music, appearing not as tools or supporting elements, but as the primary performers throughout the show.

“Agibot Night goes beyond a conventional product showcase and marks a milestone for humanoid robotics, demonstrating how embodied intelligence is moving from laboratory experimentation into real-world social and cultural settings,” said Qiu Heng, chief marketing officer of Agibot. [Read more…] about Agibot stages robot-led live show to demonstrate humanoids operating at scale

The uncanny valley and how humans relate to humanoids

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Exploring the psychological aspects of designing and interacting with human-like robots

Humanoid robots are moving steadily from laboratories and research demos toward commercial deployment. Machines built by companies such as Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Boston Dynamics are increasingly designed to operate in environments originally built for humans – factories, warehouses, hospitals, and homes.

But as robots begin to resemble people more closely, another question re-emerges – one that engineers, psychologists, and filmmakers have been grappling with for decades. [Read more…] about The uncanny valley and how humans relate to humanoids

Potential use cases for humanoid robots: Disaster response, caregiving and beyond

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Humanoid robots have moved rapidly from laboratory demonstrations to early commercial trials. A growing number of technology companies are developing machines designed to operate in human environments – walking through buildings, handling tools, and performing tasks traditionally carried out by people.

Yet despite the excitement surrounding the technology, one question remains unresolved: what are humanoid robots actually for?

The current generation of machines – developed by companies including Figure AI, Agility Robotics, Apptronik, 1X Technologies, and several Chinese robotics firms – are frequently described as “general-purpose robots”. [Read more…] about Potential use cases for humanoid robots: Disaster response, caregiving and beyond

Challenges in bipedal locomotion, dexterous manipulation and power efficiency

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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

From affordable humanoids to robotaxis: Pittsburgh Robotics Network predicts the next wave of physical AI

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Pittsburgh has long been one of the world’s most influential robotics hubs. In this outlook for 2026, Jenn Apicella, executive director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network, examines the trends shaping the next phase of robotics – from affordable humanoid robots to scaled autonomous transportation and the rise of physical AI

By any meaningful metric, Pittsburgh has earned its reputation as the robotics capital of the world. Anchored by decades of world-class research at Carnegie Mellon University and powered by a dense network of more than 250 robotics, AI, and deep tech companies, the region has become a proving ground for autonomous systems that are reshaping manufacturing, logistics, transportation, defense and more.

The Pittsburgh Robotics Network, which convenes and champions this ecosystem, is tracking converging technology and market trends indicating that the next phase of robotics across industries will likely be characterized by affordable humanoids, scaled robotaxi deployment, and the mainstreaming of physical AI. [Read more…] about From affordable humanoids to robotaxis: Pittsburgh Robotics Network predicts the next wave of physical AI