Humanoid robots are more than just buzzwords. As a projected $38 billion market by 2035, they’re stepping into disaster response, caregiving, and industrial inspections, not just as tools, but as intuitive collaborators. In just the past couple of months, we’ve seen Boston Dynamics partner with LG Innotek to produce humanoid robot vision systems; Figure unveiled new bots following a BMW factory trial; and a humanoid even ran a half-marathon in China.
What makes this all possible are breakthroughs in AI, real-time decision-making, and next-gen controllers. These capabilities are giving robots lifelike movement, responsiveness, and even emotional expression. The question is no longer if they’ll integrate into our world, but how we’ll adapt to working alongside them.
To investigate this concept further, NexCOBOT General Manager Jenny Shern gave us her perspective as an industry insider. Shern is responsible for managing NexCOBOT’s business strategy, product development, and project deployment.
Design & Development Today: Are there any reservations that come with further development of humanoid robots?
Jenny Shern (JS): There are definitely some major considerations when it comes to advancing humanoid robots, and safety is hands down the biggest. Whenever these robots are built to work alongside people, they need to be designed with advanced safety features, such as force-limited actuators, real-time collision detection, and intelligent motion control systems that help them react and adapt in real-time to their surroundings.
D&DT: Is there fear of job security with the advancement of humanoid robots in industries like manufacturing and distribution?
JS: Right now, there’s no real reason to worry about humanoid robots taking jobs as they’re still pretty limited in what they can actually do. Tasks that require deep reasoning, fine motor skills, or quick decision-making are still beyond their capabilities. For now, they’re mainly handling repetitive, physically demanding work (like lifting heavy objects in industrial settings) while people focus on more strategic and creative responsibilities.
These limitations also create new challenges. Since they rely on battery power, they can’t run forever. Once the battery drains, either due to capacity limits or external conditions, humans have to step in to recharge them or reset their systems to restore function.
Safety is another big factor. Ensuring these robots have strong failsafes and functional safety systems is still a work in progress right now. Before humanoids can be more widely deployed, there needs to be a solid set of certification and regulatory standards in place to ensure they can operate safely.
So, while automation will keep evolving, widespread job loss isn’t a major concern at the moment. Rather than replace their human counterparts, humanoid robots will work alongside them, helping to improve efficiency and overall productivity.
D&DT: Numerous companies are creating variations of humanoid robots. How do we set them apart?
JS: There are a lot of different humanoid robots out there, and what sets them apart usually comes down to their intended purpose. Some are built for industrial work in places like factories or logistics centers, while others are designed for commercial or consumer roles (e.g., airport guides or entertainment robots).
Their structural design is another big factor. Most have an upper body with two arms and a head, typically packed with cameras and sensors. But how they move can and often does vary. Some use bipedal locomotion to walk on two legs, while others use wheels to get around more efficiently and stay stable.
D&DT: We are advancing in the field of humanoid robotics rapidly. Is there such a thing as an endpoint or a ceiling for how far this technology can take us?
JS: Humanoid robotics is evolving fast, and there’s really no clear endpoint for how far it can and will continue to go. As technology keeps progressing, the focus will be on developing more advanced cognitive abilities so these robots can make decisions and solve problems on their own with greater independence.
Mobility will also see major improvements. Robots will eventually move with much greater ease, walk smoothly, climb stairs, run, and even jump. They’ll even be able to manipulate objects with dexterity that’s closer to what human hands can do. Multi-robot collaboration will also improve, making it possible for multiple robots to coordinate on tasks like lifting heavy objects and overall work better together.
Battery life is another key factor. The aim is to push operational time to at least 16 hours on a single charge, which will make these robots much more useful in real-world settings. But no matter how advanced they become, strong ethical and safety standards will remain a must. Frameworks like Asimov’s Three Laws of Robotics will help ensure they operate safely and interact with people in a responsible way.
D&DT: What are the key characteristics that make a humanoid robot “humanoid?”
JS: What makes a humanoid robot truly ‘humanoid’ comes down to both its physical design and how it interacts with people. On the physical side of things, these robots are built to resemble the human form. Most have a torso for balance, two arms and two legs for coordinated movement, hands that can grasp and manipulate objects, and sensor-based “eyes” in their head for environmental perception. But looks alone aren’t enough. To function well alongside humans, humanoid robots need advanced AI.
That’s where agentic AI plays a big role. Agentic AI helps them understand human behavior, read emotions, and engage in ways that simply feel more natural. AI also allows these robots to recognize gestures, facial expressions, and decision-making patterns, making them not just reactive, but genuinely intelligent in how they respond to the world around them.
For this to be possible, humanoid robots must be equipped with powerful AI computing capabilities for real-time learning and adaptation because they require several models to function properly. These include a behavior model, an emotion model, and models that mimic human activities. Only with this level of intelligence can humanoid robots become truly effective companions, assistants, collaborators, and trustworthy in human environments.