The Future of Humanoid Robots April 2024

Updated: April 18 2024 16:06

In the realm of robotics, humanoid robots have always been a fascinating area of study. These robots, designed to mimic the human form, are capable of performing tasks in ways that are remarkably similar to their human counterparts. This blog post will delve into six of the most advanced humanoid robots that are shaping the future of robotics: Tesla Optimus Gen 2, Agility Digit, 1X Technologies EVE, Boston Dynamics Atlas, Apptronik Apollo, and Figure 01. Below is the video highlight of these 6 robots and a table of comparison of their functionalities:





Tesla, Inc., an American manufacturer of electric automobiles, solar panels, and batteries for cars and home power storage, was founded in 2003 by American entrepreneurs Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Named after Serbian American inventor Nikola Tesla, it quickly became one of the most recognizable car brands in the world. Tesla's journey beyond the automotive industry into artificial intelligence and robotics is gaining momentum.

The Tesla Optimus Gen 2 is a bipedal, autonomous humanoid robot designed to undertake tasks deemed unsafe, repetitive, or mundane. Tesla envisions a future where these robots can significantly contribute to various industries by taking on roles that may pose risks or cause monotony for humans. The goal is to develop a robot that can reliably and flexibly perform real-world tasks.

Tesla Optimus Gen 2 stands at 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) tall and weighs 125 lb (57 kg). It is 30% faster, 10 kg lighter, than its predecessor. One of the key features of the Optimus Gen 2 is its Tesla-designed actuators and sensors. The actuators are responsible for the robot's movements, while the sensors provide the robot with information about its surroundings. It features a 2-DoF (degrees of freedom) actuated neck and hands with 11 degrees of freedom. This allows the robot to move its neck and hands in multiple directions, providing it with a high level of dexterity. Additionally, the robot has a 30% walk speed boost compared to its predecessor, making it faster and more efficient.

One of the key advancements lies in Tesla's development of its own actuators. These custom-designed motors control the robot's movements, enabling greater precision and dexterity. Gen 2 demonstrated smoother, more natural movement compared to the first iteration, suggesting refinements in actuator technology and control algorithms. This translates to improved manipulation capabilities, allowing Optimus to interact with objects and the environment more effectively. While specifics remain undisclosed, Optimus Gen 2 is likely powered by Tesla's Dojo supercomputer. This implies a substantial leap in processing power, enabling the robot to handle complex, real-time decision making. Dojo's architecture, designed for AI training and inference, suggests that Optimus can process sensory data, learn from its experiences, and adapt to changing situations. This ability to learn and evolve is crucial for robots to operate autonomously and perform a wider range of tasks.

Optimus is equipped with an array of sensors to perceive and understand its surroundings. Cameras likely play a crucial role in providing visual data, while other sensors, such as LiDAR or depth sensors, could offer information about distance and spatial awareness. These sensory inputs, combined with AI processing, allow Optimus to navigate its environment, identify objects, and interact with them effectively. The robot's sleek, humanoid form suggests the use of advanced materials that balance strength and agility. This is essential for enabling a wide range of motion while maintaining structural integrity. The details regarding Optimus' power source and battery life remain unknown. However, considering Tesla's expertise in battery technology, it's likely that Optimus utilizes a high-capacity battery system for extended operational time. Energy efficiency would be a critical consideration in the design, ensuring that the robot can perform tasks without requiring frequent recharging.

Tesla's vision for Optimus is that the robot will one day be able to replace human labor in performing repetitive tasks. How far in the future this lies remains to be seen. However, judging from the video, Tesla seems to have made significant progress in this direction. Tesla has revealed some of its humanoid robot technology through filings for several new patents related to its Optimus robot program.

In December 2023, Tesla posted an update on Optimus via X. The post showcased Tesla’s Gen 2 Optimus prototype, which featured an updated design including humanlike hand movements and a lighter body weight. Gen 2 also features updates to Optimus’ neck and arms, thanks to custom-designed actuators and sensors. Comedian and podcaster Joe Rogan was awe-struck and concerned when he saw the company’s latest creation.

The Tesla Optimus Gen 2 represents a significant advancement in the field of humanoid robotics. Its impressive specifications and potential applications make it a fascinating subject of study for anyone interested in the future of robotics. As Tesla continues to refine and improve upon this technology, we can expect to see even more impressive feats of automation and artificial intelligence in the years to come.



Agility is a global leader in supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation. The company owns and operates businesses that include the world’s largest aviation services provider by the number of countries, a logistics parks business that is one of the largest private owners of warehousing and industrial real estate in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Agility is also an investor in innovation, sustainability, and resilience, with a growing portfolio of listed and non-listed investment partners looking to reshape their respective industries across a range of sectors.

The Agility Digit is the most advanced Mobile Manipulation Robot (MMR) on the market. Designed to navigate our world, Digit can walk into existing facilities and address the hardest-to-automate portions of your workflow. Its technology has been proven in real-world distribution, 3PL, and manufacturing sites. Digit is currently being marketed primarily to logistics providers, e-commerce retailers, and research and development labs for package handling and delivery, inspecting hazardous work areas, and more. It is currently being tested by Amazon for warehouse work.

The Agility Digit stands at 5 feet 9 inches tall and can carry up to 35lbs. Digit's bipedal design allows it to navigate human environments with ease. Its legs, equipped with actuated joints, enable walking, climbing stairs, and traversing uneven terrain. The robot's arms, also with multiple degrees of freedom, provide manipulation capabilities for grasping, lifting, and carrying objects. This combination of mobility and dexterity makes Digit well-suited for tasks traditionally requiring human intervention. Equipped with a suite of sensors, Digit perceives its environment with a high degree of accuracy. LiDAR sensors provide 3D depth perception, enabling the robot to map its surroundings and avoid obstacles. Cameras offer visual data for object recognition and navigation. Additionally, Digit utilizes proprioceptive sensors to track its own body position and movement, ensuring balance and coordination.

Digit operates with a blend of teleoperation and autonomy. Users can remotely control the robot through a user interface, providing high-level commands and guidance. However, Digit also possesses autonomous capabilities. It can plan its own paths, navigate around obstacles, and adjust its movements based on real-time sensory feedback. This combination allows for efficient task execution while maintaining human oversight when needed. Digit boasts a payload capacity of up to 40 pounds, enabling it to carry and manipulate a variety of objects. This opens doors to diverse applications across various industries. In logistics and warehousing, Digit can assist with tasks like picking, packing, and transporting goods. Its mobility makes it suitable for last-mile delivery, navigating sidewalks and stairs to reach customers' doorsteps. Additionally, Digit can be utilized in inspection and monitoring tasks, accessing hard-to-reach areas and collecting data.

Digit is powered by a rechargeable battery system, providing several hours of operational time depending on the task and environment. The robot's design prioritizes energy efficiency, optimizing movement patterns and utilizing regenerative braking to recover energy during operation. Agility Robotics emphasizes Digit's modularity and customization potential. The robot's design allows for the integration of additional sensors, grippers, and other tools to expand its capabilities and adapt to specific applications. This flexibility makes Digit a versatile platform that can evolve alongside evolving industry needs.

Agility is opening up applications for a limited number of spots in the Agility Partner Program (APP). Customers in the Agility Partner Program can expect delivery of the first Digits in 2024, with general market availability in 2025. Agility recently announced that the company is opening RoboFab™, a 70,000 square foot robot manufacturing facility in Salem, Oregon. Agility Robotics confirmed on Thursday, April 4th, that it had reduced its workforce by a “small number” of employees. The Oregon-based company cites this move as part of its broader strategic shift towards commercialization efforts company-wide. In other news, Agility Robotics' Digit won the inaugural Robot of the Year award.

The Agility Digit represents a significant advancement in the field of humanoid robotics. Its impressive specifications and potential applications make it a fascinating subject of study for anyone interested in the future of robotics. As Agility continues to refine and improve upon this technology, we can expect to see even more impressive feats of automation and artificial intelligence in the years to come.



1X Technologies is a humanoid robotics company producing androids capable of human-like movements and behaviors. Founded in 2014, the company has grown from its headquarters in Norway to over 80 employees globally. 1X's mission is to deploy androids built to benefit society and meet the world’s labor demand. The company is reportedly in talks with SoftBank for an investment ranging from seventy-five million to one hundred million dollars.

The 1X Technologies EVE is a versatile and agile humanoid robot that can perform a range of tasks. EVE is equipped with cameras and sensors to perceive and interact with their surroundings. Their mobility, dexterity, and balance allow it to navigate complex environments and manipulate objects effectively. EVE is designed to help and excel in different domains: performing tasks in factories, helping out with logistical tasks in manufacturing, navigating and keeping watch at buildings as a patrolling guard, or assisting individuals.

EVE stands tall at 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 192 pounds. With a top speed of 9 mph, a 33-pound carry capacity, and a commendable six-hour runtime on a single one-hour charge. EVE's embodied learning model connects artificial intelligence to dynamic android physicality, so they recreate movements and get to work. EVE weighs 86 kilograms, making it agile and easier to maneuver. It also features multi-terrain wheels, allowing it to navigate around corners and take elevators. These features allow the EVE to maintain balance and interact with the ground, making it suitable for various operations. One of the most impressive features of the EVE is its ability to learn tasks quickly and then go and execute them autonomously. For example, a task like “move that box” makes future tasks like “move that pallet” even easier over time.

The robot's hands are a highlight of its design, featuring multiple fingers capable of grasping and manipulating objects with dexterity. This ability to interact with the physical world in a human-like manner opens doors to various applications requiring fine motor skills. Tasks such as assembling components, operating tools, or handling delicate objects could potentially fall within EVE's capabilities. EVE is equipped with an array of sensors to perceive and understand its environment. Cameras likely play a crucial role in providing visual data for navigation, object recognition, and situational awareness. Additional sensors, such as LiDAR or depth sensors, could provide information about distance and spatial relationships, further enhancing the robot's ability to interact with its surroundings.

EVE is designed as a modular platform, allowing for customization and adaptation to different applications. This modularity could enable the integration of various tools, sensors, and end-effectors to expand the robot's capabilities and tailor it to specific use cases. This adaptability makes EVE a versatile solution with the potential to address diverse needs across industries. 1X Technologies has recently confirmed a breakthrough in teaching skills to its humanoid robot, EVE. It can now learn and replicate human actions by watching videos, thanks to specialized neural networks. EVE's combination of human-like design, dexterity, and cognitive abilities positions it as a potential game-changer in various sectors. In manufacturing, EVE could assist with assembly tasks, quality control, and material handling. In healthcare, it could provide support with patient care, medication dispensing, or laboratory automation. Additionally, EVE's potential extends to fields like education, research, and even personal assistance.

The 1X Technologies EVE represents a significant advancement in the field of humanoid robotics. Its impressive specifications and potential applications make it a fascinating subject of study for anyone interested in the future of robotics. As 1X Technologies continues to refine and improve upon this technology, we can expect to see even more impressive feats of automation and artificial intelligence in the years to come.



Boston Dynamics is an American engineering and robotics design company founded in 1992 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Boston Dynamics has been owned by the Hyundai Motor Group since December 2020. The company is globally recognized for developing and deploying highly mobile robots capable of tackling industry's toughest challenges. Boston Dynamics primarily serves sectors such as manufacturing, energy, construction, logistics, and government with their robotic solutions.

Atlas, stands six feet two inches tall (1.88m) and weighs 330 pounds (150kg), is renowned for its exceptional mobility and agility. Its bipedal design, combined with a sophisticated system of hydraulic actuators and control algorithms, allows it to walk, run, jump, and even perform acrobatic maneuvers with astonishing fluidity. This level of dynamic movement surpasses most humanoid robots, enabling Atlas to navigate complex environments and traverse challenging terrain. Maintaining balance while performing dynamic movements is crucial for a humanoid robot. Atlas utilizes a combination of sensors, including gyroscopes, accelerometers, and joint position sensors, to track its body position and movement in real-time. This proprioceptive feedback, coupled with advanced control algorithms, allows Atlas to maintain equilibrium even during complex maneuvers or unexpected disturbances.

Atlas' hands, with multiple articulated fingers, enable it to grasp and manipulate objects with dexterity. This capability allows the robot to interact with its environment in a more meaningful way, performing tasks that require fine motor skills. From opening doors to using tools, Atlas' manipulation abilities expand its potential applications significantly. To navigate its surroundings and interact with objects, Atlas relies on a suite of sensors. Cameras provide visual data for object recognition and scene understanding, while depth sensors offer information about distance and spatial relationships. These sensory inputs, combined with advanced perception algorithms, enable Atlas to build a comprehensive understanding of its environment.

Atlas operates under a combination of teleoperation and autonomous control. Operators can remotely guide the robot through high-level commands and waypoints. However, Atlas also possesses a degree of autonomy, allowing it to plan its own paths, navigate obstacles, and react to changing situations based on its perception of the environment. Atlas utilizes a hydraulic actuation system, where pressurized fluid powers the robot's movements. This approach provides high power-to-weight ratio and precise control, enabling the robot's impressive agility and strength. However, hydraulic systems also require more complex maintenance compared to electric actuation.

Boston Dynamics is ushering in a new era with its fully electric humanoid robot "designed for real-world" applications. The company just announced the retirement of their hydraulic Atlas and unveiled what comes next—a fully electric Atlas robot designed for real-world applications. The next generation of the Atlas program builds on decades of research and furthers their commitment to delivering the most capable, useful mobile robots solving the toughest challenges in industry today. The company is confident in their plan to not just create an impressive R&D project, but to deliver a valuable solution. The new version of Atlas is “designed for real-world applications”. The company is moving full steam (or spark) ahead with its new fully electric iteration of Atlas, and retiring its previously hydraulic-powered model. At the core of the transition is Boston Dynamics' partnership with Hyundai — which the company credits for aiding in, "building the next generation of automotive manufacturing capabilities.

Boston Dynamics Atlas represents a significant advancement in the field of humanoid robotics. Its impressive specifications and potential applications make it a fascinating subject of study for anyone interested in the future of robotics. As Boston Dynamics continues to refine and improve upon this technology, we can expect to see even more impressive feats of automation and artificial intelligence in the years to come.



Apptronik is an award-winning robotics company that was founded in 2016 as a spinout from the Human Centered Robotics Lab at the University of Texas at Austin. The company's mission is to leverage innovative technology for the betterment of society. Apptronik has built a platform to deliver and scale a variety of general-purpose robots. The company has developed over 10 unique robots, all culminating in Apollo, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot.

The Apptronik Apollo is a general-purpose humanoid robot designed to work in the real world. Apollo was developed from Apptronik’s experience and expertise in building over 10 previous robots including NASA’s Valkyrie robot. Apollo will operate in warehouses and manufacturing plants in the near term, eventually extending into construction, oil and gas, electronics production, retail, home delivery, elder care, and countless more areas.

One of the key features of the Apollo is its custom actuators. Apollo’s software suite enables point-and-click control of your humanoid robots and automation by deploying and fully integrating a wide range of solutions into warehouse and manufacturing operations. Apollo stands 5 feet 8 inches (172 cm) tall and weighs 160 lbs (72.5kg). Capable of lifting 55 lbs (25kg), the company expects the swappable battery to power the robot for 4 hours. Apollo is modular and can be mounted to any mobility platform, stationary, or fully mobile with legs. Apollo features hot swappable battery packs, each with a four-hour runtime, allow Apollo to continue working with a simple battery change instead of a plug-in charge during which time it is not operational. If desired, Apollo can be plugged into charge or tethered for continuous operation. One of the most impressive features of the Apollo is its intuitive interaction. LEDs in head, Mouth, and Chest all working together to communicate status.

Apptronik has a long-term vision for Apollo that extends for at least the next decade. The company's goal is to build versatile robots to do all the things that we don’t want to do to help us here on Earth, and eventually one day explore the moon, Mars, and beyond. Apptronik serves as one of NASA’s partners that works on humanoid robot designs. Humanoids, could be used on the lunar and Martian surface to offload mundane and dangerous tasks from astronauts, enabling humans to focus on science and exploration. Robots could also assist with the maintenance of resource utilization plants that would allow astronauts to live off resources found on the surface. It will take several steps in development to prepare humanoid robots to work in the vacuum of space, so Apollo might first go to the International Space Station. Apptronik targeting commercial availability in 2025.

Apptronik Apollo represents a significant advancement in the field of humanoid robotics. Its impressive specifications and potential applications make it a fascinating subject of study for anyone interested in the future of robotics. As Apptronik continues to refine and improve upon this technology, we can expect to see even more impressive feats of automation and artificial intelligence in the years to come.



Figure AI is a first-of-its-kind AI robotics company that was founded in 2022. The company's mission is to build general-purpose humanoid robots to address labor shortages, jobs that are undesirable or unsafe, and to support the global supply chain. Figure AI has attracted the world’s leading robotics team with over 100 years of combined AI & humanoid experience.

The Figure 01 is the world’s first commercially-viable autonomous humanoid robot. It is designed to go beyond single-function robots and lend support across various sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and retail. Figure 01 brings together the dexterity of the human form and cutting-edge AI. It transcends mere physical tasks, delving into the realms of reasoning and decision-making.

One of the key features of the Figure 01 is its advanced conversational abilities powered by OpenAI's AI research. These components are integral to the robot's interaction with the environment. The actuators are responsible for the robot's movements, while the sensors provide the robot with information about its surroundings. Figure 01 stands five feet six inches (1.7 meters) tall. With a top speed of around 2.7 mph (1.2 meters per second), a 44-pound (20 kilograms) carry capacity, and a commendable five-hour runtime, Figure 01 is a technological marvel. Figure 01 has 24 degrees of freedom and operates at a frequency of 200 Hz, allowing for precise and fluid movement execution. Figure 01 weighs 132 pounds (60 kilograms). It features a fully electric system allowing it to maintain balance and interact with the ground, making it suitable for various operations. One of the most impressive features of the Figure 01 is its ability to comprehend and respond to queries based on conversation history.

Figure AI envisions a future where humanoids join the workforce, addressing labor shortages and reducing the number of workers in unsafe jobs. The company's near-term goal is to deploy humanoids into the workforce, and they believe that the structured, repetitive, and often dangerous tasks in warehouses are a great potential first application. Figure 01 is expected to be released in 2024.

Figure AI has recently raised $675M in Series B funding at a $2.6B valuation. This investment round saw participation from tech giants like Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Intel Capital, along with Bezos' firm, Explore Investments LLC. Bezos' commitment to the project is a testament to the potential he sees in Figure 01's vision of bringing humanoid robots into commercial operations. This new capital will be used strategically for scaling up AI training, robot manufacturing, expanding engineering headcount, and advancing commercial deployment efforts. In addition to the funding, Figure 01 has entered into a collaboration agreement with OpenAI. This partnership aims to develop next-generation AI models for humanoid robots, combining OpenAI's research with Figure 01's deep understanding of robotics hardware and software. This collaboration is expected to accelerate Figure 01's commercial timeline by enhancing the capabilities of humanoid robots to process and reason from language.

Figure 01 represents a significant advancement in the field of humanoid robotics. Its impressive specifications and potential applications make it a fascinating subject of study for anyone interested in the future of robotics. As Figure AI continues to refine and improve upon this technology, we can expect to see even more impressive feats of automation and artificial intelligence in the years to come.


In conclusion, these six humanoid robots represent the cutting edge of robotics technology. They are not only reshaping our understanding of what robots can do but also redefining the future of work, manufacturing, logistics, and more. As these robots continue to evolve and improve, we can expect to see even more impressive feats of automation and artificial intelligence in the years to come.