According to DIGITIMES ASIA Research Insights, Humanoid robots are on the horizon but. . . Nvidia’s characterization of the forthcoming AI era as "physical AI" has ignited enthusiasm among investors and the industry regarding humanoid robots, expediting their development. However, a DIGITIMES report titled 2025: The inaugural year of humanoid robots — Global market trends and critical technologies indicates that humanoids will constitute merely 0.2% of the global robotics market in 2025, with applications primarily limited to logistics, warehousing, and manufacturing. Broader acceptance remains a distant possibility.
AI models reduce development timelines, yet elevated costs impede widespread adoption.
The Challenges Accompanying AI Success
While AI has expedited the creation of humanoid robots, transforming virtual prototypes into tangible machinery continues to present challenges. Significant obstacles, such as maintaining bipedal balance and calibrating grips, are expensive to address, with no assurance of consistent performance.
AI modeling empowers developers to enhance designs in a virtual space, minimizing trial-and-error expenditures while refining perception and decision-making capabilities. This functionality has attracted a greater number of companies to engage in humanoid research and development.
Nevertheless, smooth operation in a virtual environment does not guarantee success in actual production or deployment.
The Cost of Humanoids
The primary obstacle is cost. Advanced perception necessitates additional chips and sensors, whereas precise movement relies on specialized motors and mechanical components—elements that are costly and produced in limited quantities.
At present, humanoids are priced between US$50,000 and US$400,000 each, in contrast to less than US$30,000 for industrial robots of comparable size. Without economies of scale, pricing remains prohibitive for service and domestic markets.
Three factors will influence humanoid development
DIGITIMES, the company, highlights three elements steering humanoid adoption: advancements in AI, hardware expenses, and the establishment of safety standards. Within the next three to five years, AI is projected to enhance performance; however, high costs will restrict deployment to logistics, warehousing, and industrial applications.
Looking five to ten years ahead, more sophisticated AI and reduced hardware costs could facilitate economies of scale, opening avenues for adoption in the service sector. However, humanoids in public spheres will encounter unpredictable interactions, heightening the significance of safety regulations.
Mass adoption in households will materialize only when the convergence of AI advancements, hardware affordability, and safety standards occurs — a landmark that the company anticipates will require over 10 years.
What to Expect from Humanoids in this AI Era
Going forward, humanoids are set to assume a pivotal role in the physical AI era. The pressing inquiries are when, where, and how this breakthrough will occur. In the short term, progress will be heavily reliant on innovations in hardware and cost reductions.
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