Popular Humanoid Robots in Use

Several commercially available humanoid robots have gained popularity for various applications, ranging from research and education to personal assistance and entertainment. Humanoid robots are no longer a sci-fi fantasy, they are now a reality and may soon become ubiquitous considering the exponential rate of the progress in AI. Some of the popular humanoid robots in use around the world today are listed below.

1. Pepper (SoftBank Robotics)

Pepper by SoftBank Robotics is commonly deployed in retail and hospitality industry (e.g., in banks, stores, and hotels) for social interaction, customer service, and education. It can recognize faces and basic emotions, interact through voice, gestures, and touch, and is widely used in businesses for customer-facing roles.

 

2. Nao (SoftBank Robotics)

Nao by SoftBank Robotics is primarily used in schools and universities for teaching robotics and programming. It is a smaller humanoid robot known for its advanced interaction capabilities, including speech, facial recognition, and movement. It is a robot teaching assistant, which is widely used in education, especially for programming and AI learning.

3. RoboThespian (Engineered Arts)

RoboThespian by Engineered Arts is a life-sized humanoid robot designed for human interaction, with lifelike facial expressions and movements. It is often used in museums, exhibitions, and for public speaking roles.

4. iCub (Italian Institute of Technology)

iCub by IIT is focused on developmental robotics, iCub can manipulate objects, recognize speech, and interact with humans. It is primarily used in academic research for studies on cognitive development and human-robot interaction.

5. Walker X (UBTECH Robotics)

Walker X by UBTECH Robotics is designed to assist with tasks like carrying items, offering security features, and controlling smart home devices. It has impressive walking and balancing abilities, aimed at smart home integration and personal assistance in homes.

6. Sophia (Hanson Robotics)

Sophia by Hanson Robotics is famous for its lifelike appearance and ability to engage in conversations. Sophia has been used in media, education, and entertainment, mostly deployed for media appearances and experimental AI-human interaction scenarios.

7. Robonaut 2 (NASA and General Motors)

Developed by NASA and General Motors, Robonaut 2 is a humanoid robot that works alongside human counterparts in space and on the factory floor. More than a decade ago, Robonaut 2 became the first humanoid robot to enter space, and worked as an assistant on the International Space Station until 2018, when it returned to Earth for repairs.

8. T-HR3 (Toyota)

The T-HR3 is a humanoid robot developed by Toyota to assist in various environments including the healthcare and disaster response. It features advanced remote control capabilities allowing the operators to control it with precision.

9. HRP-5P (AIST)

The HRP-5P is a humanoid robot developed by Japan’s AIST for the construction and heavy labor tasks. It can perform tasks like drywall installation and other construction activities autonomously.

10. Fedor (Roscosmos)

The Fedor (Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research) is a humanoid robot developed by the Russian space agency Roscosmos. It can perform various tasks in space including piloting the spacecraft and assisting astronauts.

11. Digit (Agility Robotics)

The Digit is a bipedal robot designed for the package delivery and logistics. It can navigate complex environments, carry packages and work alongside humans in warehouses and other settings.

12. Junko Chihira (Toshiba)

The Junko Chihira is a humanoid robot designed for customer service and tourism. It can provide information, answer questions and assist visitors in multiple languages enhancing the customer experience.

13. Talos (PAL Robotics)

The Talos is a humanoid robot designed for industrial applications. It can perform tasks such as the assembly, inspection and maintenance in manufacturing environments improving efficiency and safety.

14. Geminoid (Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories)

The Geminoid is a series of ultra-realistic humanoid robots developed by Hiroshi Ishiguro. These robots are designed to mimic human appearance and behavior closely and are used in the research to study human-robot interaction.

15. Kaspar (University of Hertfordshire)

The Kaspar is a humanoid robot designed to assist children with autism. It helps improve social interaction skills by engaging in interactive play and communication providing the therapeutic support.

16. Hubo (KAIST)

The Hubo is a humanoid robot developed by KAIST capable of walking, climbing stairs and performing complex tasks. It has been used in various research projects and won the DARPA Robotics Challenge.

17. Qrio (Sony)

The Qrio is a humanoid robot developed by Sony designed for entertainment and research. It can walk, run, dance and interact with humans showcasing advanced robotics and AI capabilities.

18. Actroid (Kokoro)

The Actroid is a series of humanoid robots developed by the Kokoro known for their realistic human-like appearance. They are used in the customer service, entertainment and research to study human-robot interactions.

19. REEM-C (PAL Robotics)

The REEM-C is a humanoid robot designed for research and development in robotics. It can perform complex tasks and interact with humans serving as a versatile platform for studying human-robot interaction and AI.

20. Albert Einstein HUBO (Hanson Robotics)

This humanoid robot, a collaboration between Hanson Robotics and KAIST combines the appearance of Albert Einstein with the capabilities of HUBO robot. It is used for educational and research purposes demonstrating advanced AI and robotics.

21. Ameca (Engineered Arts)

Engineered Arts’ latest and most advanced humanoid robot is Ameca, which the company bills as a development platform where AI and machine learning systems can be tested. Featuring sensors that can track movement across the entirety of a room, along with face and multiple voice recognition capabilities, Ameca naturally interacts with humans and detects emotions and age. Ameca is able to communicate common expressions like astonishment and surprise, and gestures like yawning and shrugging.

 

22. Alter 3 (Osaka University and MIXI)

Dubbed Alter 3, the latest humanoid robot from Osaka University and MIXI is powered by an artificial neural network and has an ear for music. Earlier iterations of Alter sang in an opera. Alter 3, which has enhanced sensors and improved expressive ability and vocalization system for singing, went even further in 2020 by conducting an orchestra at the New National Theater in Tokyo and taking part in other live performances.

 

23. ARMAR-6 (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)

ARMAR-6 is a humanoid robot developed by researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany to work in industrial settings. Capable of using drills, hammers and other tools, ARMAR-6 also features AI technology allowing it to learn how to grasp objects and hand them to human co-workers. It’s also able to take on maintenance duties like wiping down surfaces, and it even has the ability to ask for help when needed.

24. Apollo (Apptronik)

Apptronik’s Apollo can carry up to 55 pounds and is designed to function in plants and warehouses and may expand into industries like retail and construction. An impact zone allows the robot to stop its motion when detecting nearby moving objects while swappable batteries that last four hours each keep Apollo productive. As part of a pilot program, Apptronik has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to explore how Apollo can automate various manual tasks.

25. Jiajia (University of Science and Technology of China)

Developed by researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, Jiajia is the first humanoid robot to come out of China. Researchers spent three years developing Jiajia. Chen Xiaoping, who led the team behind the humanoid robot, told reporters during Jiajia’s 2016 unveiling that he and his team would soon work to make Jiajia capable of crying and laughing.

26. KIME (Macco Robotics)

KIME, Macco Robotics’ humanoid robotic bartender, serves beer, coffee, wine, snacks, salads and more. Each KIME kiosk is able to dispense 253 items per hour and features a touchscreen and app-enabled ordering, plus a built-in payment system. Though unable to dispense the sage advice of a seasoned bartender, KIME is able to recognize its regular customers and pour two beers every six seconds.

27. Nadine (Nanyang Technological University)

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore developed Nadine, a humanoid social robot, with realistic skin, hair, facial expressions and upper body movements that’s able to work in a variety of settings. According to researchers, Nadine can recognize faces, speech, gestures and objects. It even features an affective system that models Nadine’s personality, emotions and mood. So far, Nadine has worked in customer service, led a bingo game and could take on a bigger role as a companion robot in care homes.

 

28. OceanOne (Stanford Robotics Lab)

A diving humanoid robot, OceanOne, from the Stanford Robotics Lab is exploring shipwrecks. In 2016, in its maiden voyage, OceanOne ventured to the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of France to explore the wreckage of La Lune, one of King Louis XIV’s ships that was sunk in 1664. In its latest iteration, OceanOneK, the robot can dive even deeper, reaching depths of 1,000 meters. Featuring haptic feedback and AI, OceanOneK can operate tools and other equipment, and has already explored underwater wreckage of planes and ships.

29. Promobot (Promobot)

Promobot is a customizable humanoid robot that’s capable of working in a range of service-oriented roles. Equipped with facial recognition and chat functions, Promobot can issue keycards, scan and auto-fill documents, and print guest passes and receipts. As a concierge, Promobot integrates with a building’s security system and is able to recognize faces of a building’s residents. At hotels, it can check guests in, and in healthcare settings, Promobot is able to measure key health indicators like blood sugar and blood oxygen levels.

30. Surena IV (University of Tehran)

Able to grab a water bottle, pose for a selfie and write its own name on a whiteboard, Surena IV is the latest humanoid robot from the University of Tehran. Surena IV has improved tracking capabilities and new hands that allow it to use power tools. It’s also able to adjust the angle and position of its feet, giving it an improved ability to navigate uneven terrain.

31. Punyo (Toyota)

Punyo is the latest humanoid robot to be produced by the Toyota Research Institute. The Japanese word “punyo” has associations of cuteness and resilience, and Punyo embodies these traits in its squishy appearance. However, Punyo takes a different approach to lifting objects compared to other humanoids. Instead of using just its hands, Punyo leverages its arms and chest to handle hefty loads in a more natural way.

32. Phoenix (Sanctuary AI)

Sanctuary AI continues to build on the progress of its humanoid products with the seventh generation of Phoenix. This version of Phoenix is designed with improved capabilities, most notably the ability to learn tasks faster than its predecessors. Because of this advanced intelligence, Sanctuary AI already has a partnership with auto manufacturer Magna International Inc. to deploy Phoenix as a general-purpose AI robot in Magna’s facilities.

33. EVE (1X)

1X claims the title of being the company to send first AI-powered humanoid robot into the workforce. The company’s robot EVE comes with strong grippers for hands, cameras that support panoramic vision and two wheels for mobility. A voice command feature also lets users ask EVE to perform multiple tasks in sequence. Most importantly, EVE uses AI to learn new tasks and improve based on past experiences. With these abilities, EVE is on pace to spread into industries like retail, logistics and even commercial security.

34. Alex (Boardwalk Robotics)

Boardwalk Robotics has prioritized practicality with its latest addition to the humanoid field, Alex. Alex is designed without legs because the company believes this is more cost-effective and many tasks don’t require a robot to be mobile. As a result, Alex possesses 19 degrees of freedom, versatile wrists and a 22-pound payload capacity, making it ideal for tasks like sorting items, cleaning products and fulfilling other maintenance duties.

35. Romeo (SoftBank Robotics)

The Romeo is designed to assist elderly and disabled individuals. It can help with tasks such as the fetching objects providing reminders and offering companionship improving the quality of life for its users.

Future Trends in Technology

Humanoid robotics technology is expected to be pervasive and integrated in various aspects of daily life. It will leverage advanced AI technologies to improve interaction, decision-making and learning capabilities. Future humanoid robots will feature enhanced mobility and integration with Internet of Things (IoT) to perform complex tasks and enable seamless communication with smart devices. The robots will become more personalized adapting to the individual user preferences for better assistance and companionship.

Conclusion

Above listed humanoid robots cater to a range of industries including customer service, education, research, and entertainment, making them increasingly accessible and functional in different environments. As technology continues to the evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated and capable humanoid robots further integrating into our daily lives.