Robots Atlas>ROBOTS ATLAS
Robotics

Humanoid robot

2000ActiveUpdated: 17 September 2026Published
Key innovation
A general-purpose robotic platform with a human-like body able to operate in human environments and with human tools — without re-engineering the surroundings.
Category
Robotics
Abstraction level
System
Operation level
SystemRobot control
Use cases
Logistics and warehousingManufacturing and machine tendingDomestic and service tasksEnvironments hazardous to humansResearch on locomotion and manipulation

How it works

A humanoid integrates a mechanical system (actuator-driven joints, limbs, grippers), power (batteries), sensing (cameras, LiDAR, IMU, force/tactile sensors), onboard compute and a control layer. Balance and gait control maintain dynamic stability, while AI models handle perception, task planning and manipulation. Learning (imitation, RL) and robotics foundation models are increasingly used.

Problem solved

Automating work in human-built environments without costly re-engineering — one general-purpose platform instead of many specialized machines.

Evolution

2000
Honda ASIMO

An influential bipedal humanoid demonstrating walking and interaction.

2013
Boston Dynamics Atlas

An advanced, dynamic humanoid for mobility research.

2023
Humanoid commercialization
Inflection point

A wave of commercial humanoids (Figure, Tesla Optimus, Agility Digit, Unitree, AgiBot) and industrial deployments.