First wave of humanoid robots enters warehouses and shop floors

Humanoid robots are transitioning from experimental prototypes in labs to practical applications on factory floors and warehouses. Companies like Amazon, Tesla, and startups such as Figure are actively developing and deploying humanoid robots to perform tasks like deliveries, fetching and carrying parts, and handling boxes. This shift aims to offload repetitive, dangerous, or physically demanding work from humans, allowing people to focus on safer and more creative roles. However, the rise of humanoid robots also raises concerns about potential job losses, especially in communities heavily dependent on large employers like Amazon and Walmart. Technologically, humanoid robots replicate human anatomy with electric actuators functioning as “muscles” to enable precise and strong movements, while sensor suites—including cameras, lidar, inertial sensors, and tactile sensors—provide perception and balance. These inputs feed into onboard computers running sophisticated control algorithms and AI, which manage stability, navigation, and object manipulation. Globally, efforts span from cost-effective models in China to service and elder-care robots in Japan and