Humanoid Robots Now Have to Prove They Can Make Money

China’s humanoid robots have learned to run, dance and perform backflips. Now manufacturers must prove that the machines can work reliably and generate enough value to justify their cost.

Humanoid robots have spent the past several years running races, performing backflips and dancing for increasingly impressed audiences. The next challenge is considerably less glamorous: proving they can perform useful work at a competitive price.

That question is taking centre stage at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, where more than 300 companies are displaying over 2,000 exhibits and 150 new products.

China has become one of the most active markets for humanoid robotics, supported by substantial investment, a large manufacturing base and access to the components needed to build machines at scale. Companies including Unitree Robotics have generated considerable attention from investors, but widespread commercial use remains limited.

Some robots are already completing relatively simple tasks, including delivering items in hotels and moving materials around factories. However, operating reliably in unpredictable environments is much harder than completing a choreographed demonstration.

A robot working on an assembly line must recognise objects, respond to changes and operate safely alongside people for extended periods. It must also generate enough value to justify the cost of purchasing, programming and maintaining it.

Those requirements remain difficult to meet. Industry experts warn that many humanoid robots are still too expensive for the tasks they can perform. Some estimates suggest that as many as 70% may initially be used to collect training data rather than perform productive work.

The World Humanoid Robot Games will provide another test. Machines will compete in practical activities including packing goods, assembling products, charging electric vehicles and providing office services. The aim is to measure autonomy and reliability, not simply athletic ability.

Humanoid robots still offer substantial long-term potential. A machine capable of using tools and navigating spaces designed for humans could eventually be deployed without factories or workplaces being completely redesigned.

But technical ability alone will not create a successful industry. Manufacturers must reduce costs, improve reliability and demonstrate that their products can solve genuine business problems.

The excitement surrounding humanoid robots has produced ambitious forecasts and high company valuations. The next phase will be more demanding. Investors will need to separate the machines designed to attract attention from those capable of becoming commercially useful.