Once limited to labs, humanoid robots are now entering real-world jobs in logistics, retail, and healthcare. 

The global humanoid robot market will grow from $1.8 billion in 2023 to $13.8 billion by 2028, driven by advances in AI, batteries, and mechanics. 

In this guide, we’ll outline the main types, price ranges, examples, and future trends for these human-shaped machines.

What is a humanoid robot?

A humanoid robot is a machine built to mimic the human body’s appearance and movement. Most have a torso, head, arms, and legs, allowing them to use tools and interact in human environments. 

Humanoid robots were once confined to labs and demonstrations, but advances in motion control, batteries, and AI make them useful in logistics, retail, healthcare, and public services. 

Key design features include:

• Articulated joints for elbow, legs, and torso movement
• Bipedal locomotion for walking and navigating human environments
• AI-powered interaction for speech, vision, and autonomous decision-making

Unlike articulated robots or six-axis robots, which are built for fixed, repetitive industrial work, humanoids are designed for adaptable, people-oriented tasks.

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Types of humanoid robots

Humanoid robots fall into clear categories, including service, industrial, research, and companion humanoids. The categories are based on their main function, design, and operating environment. So, their hardware and software are tailored to very different tasks.

Service humanoids

Service humanoids are built for direct interaction with people in public spaces. These robots focus on communication, navigation, and social engagement rather than physical strength. They’re often equipped with expressive faces, touchscreens, and multilingual voice interfaces.

• Example: Pepper by SoftBank Robotics, used in banks, airports, and retail stores.
• Common roles: Greeting customers, answering FAQs, guiding visitors, and promoting products in hospitality and retail settings.

Industrial humanoids

Industrial humanoids are engineered for manual work in human-centric industrial spaces. These robots combine bipedal mobility with mechanical arms for lifting, carrying, and manipulating objects. They’re designed to navigate environments that standard wheeled robots can’t access.

• Example: Agility Robotics Digit, capable of walking up ramps and handling warehouse totes.
• Common roles: Order picking, loading/unloading trucks, palletizing, and factory line inspections.

Research and experimental models

Robotics companies and universities develop research and experimental models to test new capabilities, such as dynamic balancing, obstacle negotiation, and fine motor skills. They influence future commercial robots but are rarely available for purchase.

• Example: Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, known for agility and parkour-like movement; Tesla Optimus prototypes for industrial applications.
• Common roles: R&D in mobility, AI decision-making, and human–robot collaboration scenarios.

Companion and personal assistant humanoids

Companion and personal assistant humanoids are focused on healthcare, home assistance, and education. These provide both physical help and social interaction. They may recognize emotions, hold conversations, and perform simple caregiving tasks.

• Example: Alpha Mini, used for language learning, exercise routines, and light household assistance.
• Common roles: Supporting elder care, physical therapy exercises, home teaching, and companionship for children or seniors.

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Price range of humanoid robots in 2025

In 2025, humanoid robots cost between $30,000 and over $1 million, with price depending on capabilities, target industry, and production scale.

Entry-level humanoids are designed for lighter service or research tasks, while high-end units are built for heavy-duty industrial work and advanced AI-driven decision-making.

Notable price points:

• Agility Robotics Digit: Estimated at around $250,000 in active pilot programs with major logistics companies. Digit is designed for warehouse material handling and capable of operating in human-centric environments.
• Unitree H1: Publicly listed at $90,000, making it one of the most affordable full-size bipedal robots available for commercial and research use. Unitree H1 is known for its high walking speed and modular upgrades.
• Figure 01 humanoid robot: No confirmed pricing, but industry estimates place it between $30,000 and $150,000 for early deployments in manufacturing and logistics trials.
• Fourier Intelligence GR-1: Targeting mass production in 2025, with projected costs of $150,000 to $170,000. GR-1 is positioned for both industrial and healthcare markets, with a 50 kg payload capacity.

Factors that influence cost:

• Customizations: Task-specific grippers, sensors, or software add expense
• AI and autonomy: Advanced vision and navigation systems increase cost
• Production volume: Low runs keep costs high; mass production reduces them
• Mechanical complexity: High-torque actuators and durable materials raise prices

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Best humanoid robots in 2025

The best humanoid robots in 2025 stand out for real-world use, advanced design, and potential to shape automation. Here are the key models to know.

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Examples of humanoid robots in action

In 2025, humanoid robots operate in logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and customer service. Most deployments remain in pilots, but adoption is accelerating.

• Warehouse order picking: Digit is currently deployed in pilot programs with major logistics companies, including Amazon. It lifts and carries standard warehouse totes, navigates ramps and uneven flooring, and transfers items between storage racks and conveyors. Digit’s bipedal legs let it work in facilities not designed for wheeled robots, improving flexibility in warehouse layouts.
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• Manufacturing line inspection: In partnerships with automotive and electronics manufacturers, Figure 01 conducts repetitive inspection tasks, checks for visible defects, and moves large components between workstations. Its dexterous hands can use tools and handle varied objects, making it suitable for mixed-production environments.
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• Customer greeting and retail assistance: Pepper has been deployed in banks, airports, and retail stores across Japan, Europe, and the Middle East. It greets customers, answers questions in multiple languages, and can guide visitors to specific products or locations. Integration with point-of-sale or inventory systems allows it to provide real-time product availability information.
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• Physical therapy support: GR-1 has been tested in rehabilitation centers, where it assists therapists by guiding patients through range-of-motion exercises and providing partial weight support. Its ability to maintain balance while supporting a patient makes it suitable for elder care and post-surgery recovery programs.

Future of humanoid robots

Looking beyond 2025, humanoid robots will expand from pilot projects to broader commercial and consumer use. Advances in AI, lightweight materials, and battery systems will make them faster, cheaper, and more autonomous.

Key trends shaping the future:

• Smarter decision-making: AI will handle complex, unstructured tasks with less human oversight, using stronger vision and language models.
• Integration with automation: Humanoids will work alongside cobots, articulated arms, and mobile robots to cover both human-style and machine-optimized workflows.
• Energy efficiency and new materials: Better batteries and composites will extend runtime and lower maintenance costs.
• Consumer-level models: By the late 2020s, simplified humanoids may reach homes for chores, security, and eldercare.
• Specialized roles: Instead of general-purpose designs, expect humanoids built for logistics, healthcare, hospitality, and hazardous environments.

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Final thoughts: Is a humanoid robot right for your business?

A humanoid robot makes sense if your operations need human-like mobility, flexible tasks, or public engagement. They can be a valuable solution in industries facing labor shortages or where operating in human-designed environments is essential.

They may not be the right fit if your workflow can be automated with simpler, lower-cost systems like fixed factory robot arms or mobile cobots. In those cases, the extra cost and complexity of a humanoid aren’t justified.

Decision-making checklist:

1. Is your team prepared to train and maintain advanced robotics?
2. Have you considered ROI compared to simpler automation solutions?
3. Do you have tasks that require walking, climbing, or human-level reach?
4. Will the robot’s presence improve customer interaction or brand perception?

If you can answer “yes” to most of these, a humanoid robot could be a strategic investment that positions your business for the next wave of automation.

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Next steps with Standard Bots’ robotic solutions

Looking to upgrade your automation game? Standard Bots’ RO1 is the perfect six-axis cobot addition to any production setup, delivering unbeatable precision and flexibility.

• Affordable and adaptable: RO1 costs $37K (list price). Get high-precision automation at half the cost of traditional robots.
• Precision and power: With a repeatability of ±0.025 mm and an 18 kg payload, RO1 handles even the most demanding tasks.
• AI-driven simplicity: Equipped with AI capabilities on par with GPT-4, RO1 integrates smoothly into your workflows for advanced automation.
• Safety-first design: Machine vision and collision detection mean RO1 works safely alongside human operators.

Schedule your on-site demo with our engineers today and see how RO1 can bring AI-powered efficiency to your operations.

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FAQs

1. Where can I buy a humanoid robot in 2025?

You can buy a humanoid robot in 2025 from manufacturers like Agility Robotics, Unitree, Figure, and Fourier Intelligence. These companies sell through official websites or dedicated sales teams, and some work with authorized robotics distributors who handle installation, integration, and staff training. 

Service-focused humanoids such as Pepper are typically offered through special leasing programs, regional partners, or industry-specific contracts rather than direct retail sales.

2. What factors determine the price of a humanoid robot?

The factors that determine the price of a humanoid robot include its mechanical design, AI capabilities, production scale, and level of customization. High-performance actuators, advanced vision and navigation systems, and low-volume manufacturing all push costs higher. 

On the other hand, mass production, simpler mechanics, and off-the-shelf components can significantly reduce the price. Custom features such as specialized grippers or industry-specific software also add to the overall cost.

3. How long does a typical humanoid robot battery last per charge?

A typical humanoid robot battery lasts 1 to 8 hours per charge. Heavy lifting or fast movement shortens runtime, while lighter service robots last longer. Industrial models often use swappable packs or tethered power for continuous operation.

4. Can humanoid robots be customized for specialized tasks?

Humanoid robots can be customized for specialized tasks by equipping them with different end effectors, adding specific sensors, or integrating task-focused software. This allows a base humanoid design to be adapted for manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, or retail without creating a new model from scratch. 

Examples include robots fitted with medical diagnostic tools for hospitals or multilingual AI assistants for global customer service.

5. What kind of maintenance schedule do humanoid robots require?

The maintenance schedule for a humanoid robot usually involves preventive servicing every 6 to 12 months. Regular checks include actuator calibration, lubrication of moving joints, firmware updates, and sensor accuracy tests. 

In high-demand industrial environments, servicing may be required every 3 to 6 months to avoid downtime and extend the robot’s operational life.

6. Do employees need special training to work alongside humanoid robots?

Employees need special training to work safely with humanoid robots. This includes operating zones, start and stop procedures, and troubleshooting. Most manufacturers provide onboarding and ongoing support to ensure safe integration.