Ten years ago, a robot that walks like a human being was a fantasy. Today, it's not only real, but itʼs becoming normal. Нumanoid robots are leaving the research laboratories and checking in at hospitals, packing boxes in warehouses, roaming through office halls, and even tidying up living rooms.
Whether it's Elon Musk and his Tesla humanoid robots like Optimus, nimble human robots created by robotics startups, or a new wave of AI humanoid robots, companies are in a frenzy to create humanoids that can lift, think, speak, and adapt on the fly. The advances in AI, sensors, and electric actuators are no longer experimental.
This article explores the most advanced humanoid robots of 2025 — machines that lift, serve, chat, and evolve. Some are built to assist, others to replace. A few may just redefine what it means to be a worker. Let’s meet the ones who might take our place.
Atlas by Boston Dynamics
Atlas is a bipedal humanoid robot developed by Boston Dynamics. It was created in 2013 as part of the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC), a competition held from 2012 to 2015, focused on developing robots capable of assisting in disaster relief. The first version of Atlas was hydraulic, bulky, and dependent on external support systems.
Over the past decade, however, the robot has undergone a transformation. By 2025, Atlas became fully electric, marking a shift toward greater efficiency, precision, and mechanical simplicity. Standing at 1.8 meters and weighing approximately 80 kilograms, Atlas is built with a lightweight titanium and aluminum frame and features 28 degrees of freedom. Its control system combines reinforcement learning and real-time planning, enabling it to move dynamically and recover from disturbances. The robot can walk, run (up to 2.5 m/s), jump over obstacles, and perform backflips.
Atlas is equipped with stereo vision, depth sensors, and gripper hands capable of handling various objects. It’s that combination of perception and control that fuels both admiration and anxiety. Social media is split between marveling at Atlas’s athleticism and paranoid jokes about “killer robots.” However, despite the viral videos about Atlas, don’t be fooled. Many are carefully staged, as The Guardian kindly reminded us.
In a now-infamous Boston Dynamics video, Atlas gets kicked, shoved with a hockey stick, and hit with a small medicine ball, all in the name of “testing and science.” Apparently, making a robot do parkour isn’t enough; we also have to bully it a little to prove it's tough. Academic writers have even used Atlas video to raise questions about our attitude toward Intelligent Machines (e.g., if we flinch when a robot gets knocked over... are we the ones who need debugging?) Turns out, when we start feeling bad for machines, we might be closer to them than we think.
Nonetheless, each new Atlas video makes headlines in tech media, reinforcing public perception of Atlas as a pinnacle of robotics. Boston Dynamics promised never to weaponize Atlas, and so far, he’s been a very civil civilian. But as those backflips get smoother, the internet continues to ask the obvious: how long until he replaces us… or at least our gym instructor? In any case, Atlas represents a research effort toward machines that can assist in complex, hazardous scenarios where human presence may not be safe or possible.
Optimus by Tesla
Optimus, also known as the Tesla Bot, is Tesla’s humanoid project, first unveiled at AI Day 2021. It was introduced as a solution for “dangerous, repetitive, or boring” tasks, with the promise of freeing humans for more creative work. By 2025, the Gen 2 prototype stands 1.73 m tall, weighs around 57 kg, and features custom electric actuators, vision systems borrowed from Tesla’s Autopilot hardware, and a neural-network‑driven control stack. Tesla has demonstrated its ability to walk, squat, carry up to ~20 kg, sort colored blocks, and even balance on one leg, albeit in carefully staged demos. One of the more eye‑opening revelations came after Tesla’s “We, Robot” event in October 2024, where attendees watched Optimus bots walk among them, mix drinks, and perform in accurate sync, only for Bloomberg and TechCrunch to report that many of these interactions were remotely operated by humans. Tesla later pushed back with footage of fully autonomous walking, but the tele‑op reveal fueled skepticism.
Tesla envisions Optimus as an affordable, mass‑produced workhorse with targets under $30,000 per unit and production beginning soon. The company claims it’s building on its EV expertise: batteries, actuators, and AI to make a robot “that can do anything you want”.
Still, experts urge caution. Some call Optimus a Silicon Valley superstar in making others see it as another illustration of Musk-era hype, all stagecraft, and few deliverables. Tesla even filed a lawsuit this June, alleging a former engineer stole Optimus trade secrets, an internal hint that Optimus is gaining serious corporate-level scrutiny.
Optimus is not the parkour‑capable powerhouse Atlas is, but it isn’t meant to be. Tesla’s ambition lies in scale, not spectacle. Whether it becomes a factory helper, in‑home assistant, or future space‑mission teammate remains to be seen. One thing’s clear. The robot is walking into the conversation, ready or not.
Figure 02 by Figure AI
Figure 02 (or F02) is the latest humanoid from Figure AI, unveiled in August 2024 as a leap forward from their original prototype (Figure 01).
A joint venture with NVIDIA and OpenAI, it’s a 1.7 m, 70 kg electric robot boasting: 16-DOF human-scale hands capable of lifting up to 20 kg, a full suite of six cameras, mics, speakers, and onboard GPUs offering 3× the AI compute of the prior model and an advanced Helix AI stack, enabling simultaneous voice, vision, and action processing. Impressive.
In late 2024, Figure reported a significant upgrade: a 400% boost in speed and a sevenfold increase in task success at BMW's Spartanburg plant.
Figure 02 autonomously placed sheet-metal panels into assembly jigs with millimetre precision, a first for a home-grown humanoid in industrial deployment. That said, Fortune revealed only one robot was in use, prompting questions about whether Figure’s “fleet” claims may be more marketing than reality.
Time magazine hailed Figure 02 as a “Hard-Working Humanoid Bot” after seeing it fit car parts at BMW under real conditions. Meanwhile, some Redditors praised the coordination of gait, vision, and manipulation finally coming together; others rolled their eyes, pointing out it’s still just a “glorified factory arm with legs”. So far, Figure 02 walks a careful line between a promising prototype and a practical machine. And, well, Figure’s direction is clear: it’s not trying to look like the future. It’s trying to work like it.
Digit by Agility Robotics
Digit is a two-legged humanoid robot developed by Agility Robotics, founded in 2015 as a spin-off from Oregon State University. Standing 1.58 m tall and weighing around 45 kg, it's built for real-world work. It's equipped with stereo vision, LiDAR sensors, and two 4-DOF arms with grippers strong enough to lift up to 18 kg. Digit can walk at 1.5 m/s, climb stairs and curbs, squat to pick up objects, and even catch itself mid-fall. Powered by batteries, Digit can handle around three hours of light work on a single charge. It’s explicitly designed for human environments, able to use existing staircases and doorways without modifications. Its onboard CPUs and developer-friendly API enable autonomous navigation indoors and outdoors, with controls ranging from high-level commands to cloud coordination (e.g., Agility Arc) and safety features like automated docking and emergency stops.
Digit isn’t flashy; it quietly moves totes, works in GXO and Amazon warehouses, and even made an appearance before U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill in 2024, sparking discussions about labor automation. Agility’s CEO Peggy Johnson stated that Digit is here to assist with repetitive or physically demanding jobs, not replace people.
That said, even Digit stumbled. In one demo shown to Congress, it fell, but the company was quick to clarify it was all about “proving safety under stress.” Critics question whether bipedal complexity is practical compared to simpler wheeled systems, but supporters argue its adaptability: stairs, corridors, and curbs make it worth the trade-off.
Well, yes, Digit isn’t trying to steal the spotlight, and it hasn’t gone viral. Instead, it’s quietly showing up, just doing work, and letting its performance speak for itself.
Ameca by Engineered Arts
Ameca is a humanoid android developed by UK-based Engineered Arts, first unveiled at CES 2022 and designed as an interactive platform for testing AI, embodiment, and human-robot engagement. It stands neutral at human height with a no-gender, no-race face, powered by Beetle-like actuators enabling smooth expressions and fluid, lifelike movement. Built on the Tritium OS, Ameca features stereo cameras (including facial and chest vision), microphones, speakers, and motorized neck, arms, hands, and facial motors that generate remarkably realistic expressions: surprise, frown, even “stop right there” gestures. Not meant to walk (yet). It sits, interacts, gestures, and provides a modular platform (heads, arms interchangeable) for research and entertainment.
Ameca went viral, especially after a video showing it reacting to a researcher’s approaching hand, raising a “halt” sign with unmistakable human timing.
Reddit users in r/Futurology joked:
“Human: Performs boop operation. Robot: “Uh, no, thank you. Personal space please”. The human-like expressions, the tiny gestures, even as some felt an eerie disconnect… Reminiscent of flickers from “Her” or “Ex Machina”?
In short, Ameca isn’t built to drive forklifts or build cars. It’s designed to humanize the machine side and test the boundaries of emotional and social comfort.
Phoenix by Sanctuary AI
Phoenix is Sanctuary AI’s general-purpose humanoid, unveiled in 2023 and further refined through Generation 7 and 8 models, released by mid‑2024 and late‑2025, respectively. Standing around 1.7 m and weighing ~70 kg, it can walk at about 4–5 km/h (~3 mph), lift up to 25 kg (55 lbs), and features 20‑degree‑of‑freedom hands with tactile sensors, designed for fine, human-like manipulation. Powered by Sanctuary’s proprietary Carbon AI, Phoenix combines symbolic reasoning, large-language-model modules, and real-time learning to interpret voice commands, plan tasks, and adapt to novel situations, all in under 24 hours, according to the company.
It’s already seen commercial deployment (e.g., Canadian Tire and in pilots with Magna), marking a step toward workspace-ready robustness. So far, Phoenix’s demos have been carefully controlled. It hasn’t been in the spotlight for any failure. If anything, the main critique is “wait and see” on whether Carbon AI will deliver on the hype.
Phoenix has gained attention in the tech press, but less so on social media. In 2023, Phoenix was even recognized as a Time “Best Invention” for its approach to combining manipulators with advanced AI. It is seen as one of the top “sleeper” humanoid projects due to strong funding and the pedigree of its founder (Geordie Rose of D-Wave, Ethereum). When Sanctuary releases demos, robotics enthusiasts share them, but Phoenix hasn’t yet become a “household” meme. Its progress makes news in June 2025, but public awareness is still niche. Maybe, for good?
Phoenix’s biggest claim is its hands-first strategy. Unlike Boston Dynamics (focus on legs) or Tesla (vision/AI focus), Sanctuary starts with manipulation. It’s often contrasted with Tesla Optimus and Agility’s Digit: both Digit and Optimus are moving into logistics/delivery, whereas Phoenix targets high-skill tasks requiring finesse.
H1 by Unitree Robotics
H1 is Unitree’s full-size humanoid platform. The first generation is ~1.8 m tall and ~47 kg, the H1-2 upgrade is ~70 kg with 27 DOF (6 per leg, 7 per arm). It runs on a ~864 Wh battery and can sprint at 3.3 m/s (claimed world record for a biped). Joints produce substantial torque (e.g., 360 N·m peak for legs). Sensors include 360° depth vision via LIDAR and cameras. Like Boston’s Atlas, H1 is fully electric. It is designed to do various tasks, but as of 2025, it is still in prototype R&D/demo stages, and Unitree has not announced a commercial release date.
Unitree’s humanoid unexpectedly grabbed headlines for malfunctions. In late 2024, a video circulated of an H1 in a factory flailing wildly and nearly colliding with workers. Unitree did not immediately explain the cause (later reports said it was a software glitch). A separate incident showed H1 at a festival unexpectedly lurching at onlookers. And, well, these “AI gone wrong” clips went viral, triggering fears of “Terminator?” once again, even though they were one-off glitches and no one was hurt. In sum, public perception of Unitree’s humanoids is colored by these freak accidents: many are now wary of their reliability.
G1 by Unitree Robotics
G1 is a smaller, lower-cost humanoid by Unitree (marketed at ~$16k). It stands roughly adult height and features voice control and 3D LIDAR for navigation. High-end versions offer optional articulated hands (Unitree’s “Dex” fingers). It uses on-board computing for tasks and can learn via imitation learning. Its design intention is for light home or research tasks (e.g., fetch-and-carry in structured settings). Specific performance specs (speed, battery) aren’t widely published, but it is much lighter than H1.
G1’s main “incident” was at a public demo (a half-marathon start line) where it toppled. Unitree explained this happened because the user didn’t enable proper gait algorithms. No actual fault was admitted; it was more an operator's lapse. Aside from that, no one has reported it “attacking” or failing dramatically in real use. In general, G1 is seen as a neat showcase rather than a mature product, so critics just say it’s “too expensive for a toy”.
Apollo by Apptronik
Apollo is Apptronik’s humanoid robot (~1.73m tall) designed for industrial and service tasks. It can carry ~24.9 kg and uses Apptronik’s custom linear (muscle-like) actuators to mimic human joint forces. Apollo’s arms allow swappable hands/grippers and sensors. It has modular, hot-swappable batteries for continuous operation. The robot uses advanced sensing (likely cameras/IMUs) and is integrating NVIDIA’s GR00T “robot foundation model” AI. Safety features include force-control to work around humans. Apptronik has contracts with Mercedes-Benz and NASA for testing Apollo in factories and space-related tasks, indicating robust engineering.
Importantly, Apollo has not been in the news for failures. Its demo show (surprise) was carefully controlled. Apollo is frequently compared with Digit (both as general-purpose bipedal), but Apollo is heavier duty (25kg vs Digit’s 18kg) and aimed at heavier tasks. Versus Tesla Optimus, Apollo is more of an industrial product.
NEO by 1X Technologies
NEO Gamma is a home-focused humanoid robot developed by 1X Technologies (formerly Halodi Robotics), unveiled in early 2025 as the follow-up to their industrial EVE model. NEO stands 1.63 m tall, weighs around 35-45 kg, and features tendon-driven actuators with soft covers — mimicking human joints for quieter, safer operation. It walks with a natural gait, swings its arms, squats to pick things up, and even sits in chairs, all controlled via a whole-body RL model at 100 Hz. Visual manipulation models and an in-house language model allow it to handle various objects and engage in basic conversation. It runs on a quiet actuator system (10 dB softer than its predecessor). Its soft-knit suit and passive safety design were conceived to ease interactions in homes, with safety as a TOP priority.
NEO stands out by tackling the hardest humanoid frontier: everyday life. Unlike factory or lab-focused bots, it's learning to deal with unpredictable environments, think pets, toys, varied furniture, at human-home noise levels.
NEO Gamma may not be folding laundry just yet, but it’s taking steps toward becoming a reliable household partner: safe, quiet, and designed for homes. The question remains: Can it scale beyond prototype to become a real helping hand (or occasionally fetch a glass of wine)? And who knows, maybe one day, it’ll gently pet your cat while you're stuck on Zoom calls, finally solving: “Who’s a good boy?” without anyone having to ask twice.
Yuanzheng A2 by Agibot
The Yuanzheng A2 is a flagship humanoid robot by Shanghai-based AgiBot (founded in 2023), introduced in August 2024 as part of its "Yuanzheng" series alongside related models like A2-W and A2-Max . Height: ~1.75 m; Weight: ~55 kg. Equipped with LIDAR and multiple RGB-D cameras, providing full perception and 4G‑level autonomous mobility. By late 2024, AgiBot began mass production in Shanghai’s Lingang factory, aiming to ship hundreds to low-thousands by year-end (about 962 units noted). Notably, in April 2025, it became the very first humanoid to receive simultaneous safety certifications from China, the EU, and the US.
A2 represents China’s push toward scalable humanoid robotics, directly challenging Western efforts like Tesla’s Optimus. With open-source tools (Lingxi X1) and large-scale data collection, AgiBot aims to develop embodied AI ecosystems. So, not just robots, but learning machines. And, notably, A2 is not just another lab demo; it’s a production-line humanoid already putting in work and gathering data.
GR-2 by Fourier Intelligence
GR‑2 is Fourier Intelligence’s next-generation humanoid robot, released in late 2024 as a follow-up to their pioneer model, GR‑1. Stands about 1.75 m tall, weighs around 63 kg, and includes 53 degrees of freedom. It features powerful FSA 2.0 actuators (up to 380 N·m torque), allowing walking speeds up to ~5 km/h. GR‑2 uniquely sports 12-DOF dexterous hands with tactile sensing, double the dexterity of its predecessor. Equipped with a detachable battery providing approximately 2 hours of runtime. It supports autonomous navigation and manipulation using developer-friendly SDKs compatible with ROS, NVIDIA Isaac/MuJoCo, and includes remote control and VR-assisted programming options.
GR‑2 stands out by blending agility, precision, and openness. With its tactile hands and robust software support, it's designed for real-world tasks: research, education, and industrial testing. And, it’s already been adopted by ETH Zurich, Carnegie Mellon, and other leading institutions.
STAR1 by Robot Era
STAR1 is a record-breaking humanoid robot developed by Chinese startup Robot Era, unveiled in late 2024, and recognized as the fastest bipedal humanoid in the world. Stands ~1.71 m tall, weighing ~63 kg, with 55 degrees of freedom across its body and hands. Achieved a sustained top speed of 12.9 km/h (8 mph) in the Gobi Desert, outpacing the previous record held by Unitree H1. Equipped with ERA‑42, Robot Era’s in-house large-model AI, enabling it to learn new skills: running, walking, jumping, through end-to-end training.
STAR1 isn’t just a showpiece. It’s proof that humanoid robots can perform dynamic movement outside labs.
“The stupid thing is that these robots have been created to emulate humans... really pointless demonstration, probably just to raise capital” — The-ai-bot on r/singularit.
Comments on social media highlight both astonishment at the feat and the underlying question: Why build a running humanoid when wheels or quadrupeds might be more efficient?
Tiangong by Beijing HRIC
Tiangong, developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, is the world’s first fully electric running humanoid, and it’s open-source. Launched in April 2024 and open-sourced by late 2024, two versions (1.0 Lite and Pro) include full hardware and software blueprints to accelerate global research and development .
At ~1.63 m tall and 43–55 kg, Tiangong runs at up to 6 km/h (3.7 mph), with an average pace near 10 km/h during testing. It’s built on fully electric actuators, stereo vision, 3D sensors, IMUs, and force feedback, letting it move over varied terrain like stairs, gravel, and sand. Since its release, Tiangong has been used in warehouse pick-and-place tasks and security patrols in power plants.
Tiangong grabbed headlines as the fastest electric humanoid, and recently entered history books by completing the first-ever humanoid half-marathon in Beijing. “Tiangong Ultra” finished in 2 h 40 min. It is really an achievement, though some robots overheated or stumbled, underscoring both promise and limitations. Chinese officials were quick to emphasize Tiangong is meant to complement human workers, not REPLACE them.
SE01 by EngineAI
SE01, from Shenzhen-based EngineAI (founded October 2023 by Zhao Tongyang), made waves in October 2024 as the company's first full-size humanoid robot and the first Chinese entrant to demonstrate a truly human-like gait. A 1.7 m tall, 55 kg fully electric robot with 32–36 DOF, harmonic-drive joints, and triple stereo-camera vision that processes movement via an end-to-end neural network, producing fluid, natural walking rather than jerky steps. In early 2025, EngineAI showcased SE01 walking outside their Shenzhen HQ, prompting viral clips.
“I really don’t understand the obsession with human-like movement… Why spend so many millions of dollars reproducing inefficiencies?” — freddy_guy on r/singularity.
However, SE01 sets a new fluidity standard: seamless walking and real-world navigation are practical needs, not sci-fi flair. Built with cost-effective hardware (aluminum alloy frame, no exotic sensors), EngineAI aims for mass production (over 1,000 units by 2025).
Summary
Clumsy prototypes and fantastical images are now a thing of the past; the humanoid robots of 2025 are here, and they are working and changing what people thought a machine could be. They lift boxes, navigate warehouses, talk to customers, guide hospital visitors, fold laundry, and maintain eye contact during communication.
These AI robots are not show devices. They adapt, study, modify, and perform. One runs on the sand, the others pour coffee or thread needles. They donʼt simply walk like humans; they run the limits of what we thought only humans were capable of.
They have electric muscle systems, language intelligence, autonomous mobility, and emotional responsiveness. From Elon Musk robots to open-source machines, this is the most competent generation of humanoid robots ever produced. And that is just the start.
The future didnʼt knock. It walked on two legs.
FAQs
Which Humanoid Robot Is Best for Home Use?
In the case of home settings, 1X Technologies NEO is presently the best.
It is specially made to be used at home in tasks such as tidying, carrying, a little cleaning, and even in the kitchen. The best part about NEO is its small size, gentle motion, and learning by observation of humans - it is both versatile enough and safe to be around people. Other robots, such as Unitree G1 or Ameca, can also operate in personal areas (to educate or entertain people), but NEO is the most adapted to real household tasks.
Are Humanoid Robots Fully Autonomous Yet?
Not completely, but they are close. In 2025, the majority of humanoid robots will work both autonomously and under control. They can walk, move around, handle things, and even carry on a conversation without being under direct control. Nevertheless, when the task is complicated or unforeseen, human supervision, teleoperation, or prior training is still used by many. Others, such as Digit, Apollo, and Phoenix, can operate independently in an organized setting such as a warehouse or a factory. Others, such as Figure 02 or Tesla Optimus robots, keep improving with real-world learning, fleet updates, and reinforcement learning.
Will Humanoid Robots Develop “Personalities” or Consciousness?
АІ robots can fake personalities, but they do not experience them. Some humanoid robots, like Ameca or Phoenix, are already able to converse fluidly, and large language models can already simulate personality traits like humor, curiosity, or empathy. But it is pretending, not actual awareness. They do not have feelings, they think independently, and they do not believe in anything. Their personality is a combination of learned responses and context-sensitive algorithms, which are aimed towards making the interaction more natural. Thus, even though they might look alive and even relatable in a creepy manner, it is all code behind the charm.
Gunel Ismayilova
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