How will humanoid and industrial robotic applications evolve in the coming years?

Based on Morgan Stanley’s “The Humanoid 100” report, the evolution of humanoid and industrial robotic applications in the coming years will be shaped by advancements in AI, automation, semiconductor technology, and supply chain development. Here are the key trends and expectations: We’ll see the expansion of humanoid robotics from prototypes to real-world applications in areas such as manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Humanoids will be integrated into factories, warehouses, and customer service, assisting in tasks that are physically demanding or require fine motor skills. Humanoid OEMs are leading the push toward practical humanoid robots that could be deployed at scale. AI models will enhance humanoid robots’ ability to learn from human demonstrations and adapt in real-time. Additionally, the increased use of vision-based AI, LiDAR, and force/torque sensors will improve robots’ ability to interact with complex environments. Digital twins and reinforcement learning will accelerate training, allowing humanoids to perform real-world tasks with minimal human intervention. We’ll also see improvements in battery technology. Battery companies are working on high-density, long-life lithium-ion batteries to power humanoid robots efficiently. The transition from hydraulic to all-electric humanoids (e.g., Boston Dynamics’ new Atlas) will improve energy efficiency and enable longer operating times. While China currently dominates the robotics supply chain, particularly in motors, semiconductors, and rare-earth materials, western companies are investing heavily to catch up. In the next 5–10 years, humanoids could become as commonplace in workplaces as industrial robots are today, reshaping labor markets and productivity worldwide. However, the key path to scalable humanoids is ensuring safe operations along side humans anywhere; whether that’s at the workplace or at home. This will expand the possible use cases significantly.