Inside the rise of humanoids

The market opportunity

The humanoid robotics market is witnessing unprecedented growth, as was highlighted by Lukas Ziegler, a leading voice in robotics. While Goldman Sachs predicted the market to reach $38 billion by 2035, that milestone has effectively been surpassed already – Figure AI alone recently achieved a valuation of $39.5 billion. This remarkable acceleration suggests we're witnessing a Moore's Law-like growth in the industry. This rapid expansion comes at a crucial time, as industries worldwide grapple with a pressing challenge: the shortage of skilled workers. From engineers to welders, many sectors are struggling to find qualified personnel. Humanoid robots present a promising solution to this workforce crisis.

The human-robot partnership

A key theme that emerged during the discussions was the relationship between humans and robots. Rather than viewing it as a competition, the consensus was that technology should be seen as an augmentation of human potential. The world is fundamentally designed for human form and function, which gives humanoid robots a natural advantage over other form factors as many tasks simply cannot be accomplished by smaller or quadrupedal robots.

Learning from animals

In a keynote, EPFL Professor Auke Ijspeert revealed how the next leap in humanoid robotics will come from unlocking nature’s secrets. By merging insights from neuroscience, biomechanics, and robotics, engineers are pushing the boundaries of what robots can do. Using tools like deep reinforcement learning, robots are learning to balance, adapt to complex terrain, and move with an efficiency that rivals the animal kingdom. This bio-inspired approach could redefine how machines interact with the world, bringing us closer to a future where robots move, react, and adapt as seamlessly as living beings.

Market readiness and challenges

Tobias Schäfle from Fraunhofer IPA presented an upcoming study highlighting both the promise and challenges facing the humanoid robotics industry. Surveying system integrators, component manufacturers, and potential end users, the study finds that 74% of respondents expect humanoid robots to reach market maturity within 3 to 10 years. Key concerns range from unregulated safety standards and the lack of economically viable use cases to challenges around employee acceptance.

The study also identifies critical development areas: enhancing safety functions, improving handling precision, and advancing environmental sensing. Key recommendations include establishing standardized safety protocols, clarifying legal frameworks, and increasing funding for critical technologies, particularly in startup growth phases. Addressing these barriers will be essential for widespread adoption across industries.

Looking to the future

As Steve Jobs famously said, "People don't know what they want until you show it to them." This quote, highlighted during the forum, perfectly encapsulates the current state of humanoid robotics. While challenges remain, the industry is poised for significant growth and progress, in the Greater Zurich Area and beyond.

The path forward requires a delicate balance between technological advancement and practical implementation, between innovation and standardization, and between human needs and robotic capabilities. As the industry matures, we're likely to see increasing integration of humanoid robots in various sectors, fundamentally transforming how we work and live.