🤖 Humanoid Robots in Industry: From Testing to the Reality of Mass Production
Introduction: The Dream of a Universal Worker
Humanoid robots (e.g. Tesla Optimus, Figure 01, Mercedes-Benz Apollo) represent the pinnacle of robotic ambition: to create a universal machine that can move and work in environments designed for humans. In industry, this is seen as a potential definitive solution to chronic labor shortages, especially in monotonous, dangerous, or ergonomically challenging areas.
Although humanoid robots are still in the pilot project and intensive development (R&D) phase, the first tests in factories are already underway and show where these robots have the greatest potential.
Main part: Humanoids in factories – Pilot projects
The use of humanoid robots in industry primarily focuses on tasks where dexterity, flexibility, and the ability to use tools designed for humans are key.
Where are humanoids tested? (Automotive industry)
The automotive industry is traditionally a leader in robotization and is the first to test these new machines.
- Assembly and parts handling: Companies like the BMW Group have tested humanoid robots (e.g. Figure 02) to insert chassis sheet metal parts into assembly holders. This is a task that requires great dexterity and finger precision.
- Logistics and quality control: Mercedes-Benz is testing humanoids in its Berlin factory, where they help with logistics, repeating simple tasks, and visual quality control.
- General routine tasks: Tesla plans to use the Optimus robot in its factories for tasks such as picking and sorting parts.
Key industrial applications
Humanoid robots have the potential to take over key processes in many industries, often with the aim of replacing less popular, physically demanding jobs:
- Assembly: Assembling diverse products such as appliances or electronics. Humanoids are able to work on existing assembly stations designed for humans due to their shape.
- Welding and painting: In the automotive industry, they provide precise and consistent painting and welding operations, similar to traditional arms, but with the potential for greater mobility and flexibility.
- Visual quality control: Thanks to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and camera systems, they are able to perform comprehensive visual inspection of products.
Humanoid vs. Cobot: Why is it worth the wait?
Despite fascinating progress, purchasing a humanoid is currently unrealistic for most companies.
- Price: The acquisition and maintenance costs are extremely high. Mass commercialization and reduction in price are not expected for several years (optimistic estimates speak of a horizon of 5–10 years).
- Alternative: The real revolution for the current needs of industry comes from improving conventional robots. Technologies that power humanoids (e.g. reinforcement learning – RL) are now being applied to collaborative arms (cobots) and mobile robots (AMR).
Cobots/AMRs are purpose-designed for efficiency (e.g. CNC operation, palletizing), are affordable today, and do not need to deal with complex bipedal walking.
Conclusion: Invest in AI, not in legs
Humanoid robots are the future of flexibility – machines that can work in any human environment. Their greatest significance lies in technology transfer. The AI and perceptual advances that power humanoids are already improving the capabilities of traditional industrial robots.
For most companies, the best strategy is to invest in immediate automation using proven cobots and in adaptive intelligence (AI) that will enable these robots to solve more complex tasks.
Interested in real-world assembly and handling solutions available today? Visit svet-robotu.cz and explore how reinforcement learning can be applied to existing robotic platforms.