Definition: humanoid robot

A robot that has the general appearance of a person. Also called an "android," a humanoid robot has two arms and two legs, and it may verbally communicate in multiple languages with a vocabulary that is ever increasing due to AI. Humanoid robots have much more flexibility than people, and they increasingly look more lifelike (see hyperrealistic robot).

Humanoid robots are designed for health care, assisted living and general household helpers. They may also be used in warehouses side-by-side with people. Robots of all variety can be used to retrieve objects in places that are extremely hazardous for humans. See Humanichs, robot, android and household robot.

Chinese Humanoids Are More Affordable
China dominates the humanoid robot market, and Chinese robots are more affordable than their U.S. counterparts. For Elon Musk's humanoid robot, see Optimus.

Why Human-Shaped?
In the future, it is likely that robots may have three or more arms in order to do more intricate kinds of work. Of course, industrial robots have all kinds of limbs, but because they work in factories, their design is based entirely on the job they perform. It will take time for the world to get used to automated helpers that exist side by side with us that more or less resemble us, but then later on possibly look like some multi-limbed creature. Stay tuned!

Ameca Modular Robot

With natural motion and human-like facial expressions, Ameca from UK-based Engineered Arts is a modular humanoid robot that is run by the Tritium operating system. Introduced in 2022, Ameca took 12 years to develop. (Image courtesy of Engineered Arts Limited.)

First Biomimetic AI Robot

Created by DroidUp in Shanghai, Moya is called the first "biomimetic" robot, which means the replication of natural elements. Introduced in 2024 and costing around $14,000, Moya can walk roughly 4.5 miles per hour and has up to 43 joint motors. (Image courtesy of DroidUp Shanghai.)