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Alejandro Alcolea
WriterWriter at Xataka. I studied education and music, but since 2014 I've been writing about my passion: video games and technology. I specialize in product analysis, photography, and video. My body is 70% coffee.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
Several companies are committed to creating robots that resemble humans. It all started in 1980 with an early Boston Dynamics, which already had prototypes of robots capable of somersaulting and walking on one leg. The company later revisited its designs for innovations such as Spot. The industry has come a long way in 40 years. From the almost sci-fi robots of the 1980s, there are now humanoid robots with incredible capabilities.
In this graphic prepared by Visual Capitalist, some of the most significant humanoid robots of recent months are featured:
The lineup. Boston Dynamics’ HD Atlas kicked off the humanoid robot craze. It could do everything, but its time had passed, and retirement came. A new generation—the latest Atlas, stronger and more capable thanks to its advanced joints—arrived at the company’s testing grounds, now owned by Hyundai. Still, as the graphic shows, it’s not much different from its competitors.
Missing Chinese models. This lineup of robots mostly features U.S.-based models, with Sanctuary AI’s Phoenix and Unitree’s H1 being the only foreign entries. While the U.S. leads in humanoid robot development, many Chinese models are notably absent.
China is undergoing a technological revolution, despite severe Western restrictions. It has companies competing not only to create robots that integrate into society but to do so on a large scale. Besides Unitree’s H1, a major contender is Agibot, with its A2 and A2 Max models.
Agibot’s AI-powered processor enables these robots to gather and act on external data. These models are also multimodal, capable of understanding information via text or audio. Other notable Chinese humanoid robots include Robotera’s STAR1 (considered the fastest in the world), UBTECH’s Walker S1, and Fourier Intelligence’s GR-1.
China wants to put them to work. Despite some notable omissions, it’s clear that humanoid robots have been in development for years, though few currently perform their intended real-world tasks—exceptions include BMW’s Figure. China, however, is deploying these robots out of necessity.
The GR-1, for example, functions as a “nurse” to address a growing need. With an aging population and a declining younger workforce, China is prioritizing robots for elder care and labor shortages. The government plans to establish a nationwide senior care service network by 2029, ensuring all elderly citizens have access to essential services. These robots will assist with domestic tasks, health monitoring, and emotional support.
China is also testing “guide” robots and even has its version of Spot, which serves as a mobile trash bin.
2025 looks like the year for humanoid robots. Beyond the current testing phases in the U.S. and China, industry leaders agree that 2025 will mark a turning point for humanoid robots.
In late 2024, Agibot claimed it was ready to deploy its robots, having produced 1,000 units. Tesla is set to mass-produce Optimus Gen 2 in 2025, aiming for between 50,000 and 100,000 units by 2026. Meanwhile, the Chinese government has designated 2025 as the target year for widespread robot availability.
I, Robot. Other companies, such as Norway’s 1X, are also joining the robotics movement. Its Neo Beta and Neo Gamma models are designed for household cleaning.
Beyond the companies planning large-scale robot production, others are looking for ways to enter the market. Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is focusing on AI development, with the goal of integrating its technology as the “brain” for future humanoid robots.
Apple is also exploring this field. The company is reportedly developing a device similar to an iPad with a robotic arm as a first step, with long-term ambitions to enter the humanoid robot market.
After years of demonstrations, 2025 is shaping up to be the year humanoid robots transition from futuristic prototypes to practical tools in everyday life—for those who can afford them, of course.
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