The future walks on two legs: A buyer’s guide to humanoid robots in industry, education and research

Humanoid robots offer a new level of flexibility in automation. They can perform a wide range of tasks, interact seamlessly with humans, and work autonomously in unstructured environments. Their distinctive design featuring two arms, two legs and a movable torso sets them apart from traditional industrial robots.

However, not all humanoid robots are the same. Depending on the requirements — whether for research and development, prototyping new applications, or continuous productive use — companies and research institutions need different platforms. This guide outlines the various areas of application and helps you find the right humanoid platform for your needs.

The Basics: Definition, technology, and differences

So, what exactly is a humanoid robot? Put simply, they are robots whose physical form and mobility are modelled on the human body. Equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), they can move and act autonomously in human-built environments.

The following article in reichelt Magazine provide more in-depth information:

Is a humanoid robot worth it for my project?

Humanoid robots offer significant advantages over traditional industrial robots in certain scenarios. Their greatest advantage is that they can be easily integrated into workspaces designed for humans. They are not rigidly mounted in one place, and thanks to sensors and cameras controlled by artificial intelligence (AI), they can analyse and move within their surroundings. This means that costly infrastructure modifications are not necessary.

Looking ahead, another advantage will be their flexibility. Traditional industrial robots are usually programmed for a single task. In contrast, humanoid robots have the potential to handle multiple and varied tasks at a single workstation, and can cope with frequent product changes or variant production without extensive reprogramming. They can also continuously learn from experience through AI and easily transfer learnt tasks to other humanoid robots.

However, this technology is still in its early industrial stages. Currently, humanoid robots are best suited to clearly defined, repetitive tasks. They are currently still reaching their limits when it comes to completely unstructured tasks or high-speed operations.

Choosing the right platform

The market for humanoid robots is growing rapidly, as is the variety of available systems. Many manufacturers offer different configuration options within their model ranges. For instance, depending on the model and configuration, Unitree’s range extends from entry-level systems to versatile universal robots and high-performance research platforms. The following classification therefore serves as a guide. The key factors in choosing the right humanoid platform are its specific features and performance capabilities, as well as the specific requirements of the application.

Entry-level systems

Entry-level systems, such as those offered by AgiBot or LimX Dynamics are ideal for developing and testing machine learning (ML) models, as well as for demonstration purposes in the field of robotics. These systems typically have 20–30 degrees of freedom, providing sufficient flexibility of movement for illustration and demonstration purposes.

Their AI capabilities enable straightforward reinforcement learning and basic autonomous navigation. Thanks to their good value for money, universities, research groups and start-ups can gain initial practical experience without having to make substantial investments.

Universal robots

Universal robots, such as those from Unitree, strike a balance between cost-effectiveness and performance. With 40–45 degrees of freedom, a payload of typically 5–7 kg per arm, and intelligent sensor technology, they are suitable for basic, clearly defined tasks, such as material handling and pick-and-place processes.

AI enables adaptive task recognition and autonomous decision-making. However, most applications to date require the assistance of professional system integrators and significant engineering effort. A prepared environment and precisely defined tasks are essential prerequisites, and human support is often still required.

Universal robots can serve as a starting point for businesses, but they require realistic planning, specialised support and clearly defined tasks.

High-performance platforms

High-performance platforms, such as those from Booster Robotics, Unitree or PNDbotics, are designed for demanding and complex tasks. They feature over 50 degrees of freedom, a continuous payload of 7 kg per arm, high-precision control, and advanced haptic feedback for precision assembly. AI systems also enable real-time adaptation to complex scenarios.

In the future, they are set to be deployed in areas requiring high-precision manufacturing or extreme demands on force and accuracy, such as electronics manufacturing, precision engineering, and the aerospace industry. Initial pilot projects in these areas are showing promising results.

Research institutes often invest specifically in these platforms to maximise opportunities in developing new applications and conducting basic research. However, such an investment would only be worthwhile for companies if their actual requirements demanded this level of performance.

It is also important to note that, for the time being at least, a significant proportion of humanoid robots are used primarily for entertainment purposes, for example at trade fairs and showcases. Some of these systems have not yet been designed or tested for productive industrial use.

Checklist for the purchasing decision

Before deciding on a humanoid platform, you should ask yourself a few fundamental questions. The following checklist will help you take all the relevant factors into account and make the right choice:

• What specific tasks need to be carried out?
  First and foremost, you should precisely define the tasks that the robot needs to perform. The clearer the requirements, the easier it will be to identify the right platform.
  
  
• What is the available budget?
  When considering this, take into account not only the purchase costs, but also installation, integration, training, and ongoing maintenance. Often, an affordable entry-level platform is a better option than a high-performance system that cannot be utilised to its full potential.
  
   
• How much technical expertise is available in-house?
  If you have the necessary in-house capabilities for integration and maintenance, you won’t need comprehensive support from the manufacturer.
  
  
• Are there any safety or compliance requirements?
  You should always check that the chosen platform meets the specifications of the relevant industry or sector before making a purchase.
  
  
• How important are manufacturer support and maintenance?
  Reliable support is crucial for ensuring the availability of the solution. You should assess response times, spare parts availability and technical service.
  
  
• Is the platform likely to be expanded at a later date?
  If so, it should offer the option to add extra modules, sensors or functions.
  

Avoiding typical mistakes

Ill-considered purchases can quickly lead to unnecessary costs. For example, many companies over-invest in performance, opting for a high-performance platform when a more affordable entry-level solution would suffice. This results in unnecessary capital expenditure and unnecessarily complex operations. Similarly, the cost of training and integration is often underestimated and can quickly exceed the initial purchase costs.

Another critical issue is failing to consider support and manufacturer availability. A supposedly cheap system with poor support can prove costly, as downtime and a lack of spare parts can significantly impair productivity.

Lastly, it is important to avoid unrealistic expectations regarding autonomy and AI capabilities. Humanoid robots are not fully autonomous systems capable of independently solving complex problems; rather, they require clear instructions and programming.

Conclusion: Humanoid robots are a key technology for the next stage of development

They mark the transition to a new era of automation. They are now accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises and universities too, not just large corporations. Advances in artificial intelligence and hardware will make these systems more powerful, autonomous and cost-effective in the coming years. Those who select the appropriate platform and gain initial practical experience will reap the benefits of accelerated development in the future, securing a significant competitive advantage.

Images: Adobe Stock, reichelt elektronik