Humanoid robots are already working at BMW’s factory in California. American humanoid robotics company Figure AI supplied robots to BMW, creating what is considered the world's first humanoid robot workforce. The humanoid robot Figure 01 currently performs material-handling tasks within the factory and is expected to be deployed in vehicle production processes in the future. Following the initial deployment of Figure 01, BMW is expected to expand the use of humanoid robots throughout its manufacturing facilities.
[Fig] Figure 01 Humanoid Robot Deployed at BMW’s California Factory
Industrial humanoid robots are expected to become a solution to soaring labor costs, particularly in the United States. Recently, the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the “Big Three” U.S. automakers—GM, Ford, and Chrysler—reached an agreement that includes a 25% wage increase over four years following major labor strikes. To offset rising labor costs, automakers are aggressively pursuing automation and workforce reduction strategies. Tesla has also developed its humanoid robot, Optimus Gen 2. Optimus Gen 2 can carry objects weighing up to 20 kilograms and perform color-based sorting tasks. Tesla plans to deploy Optimus robots in its factories to accelerate manufacturing automation.
[Fig] Major Industrial Humanoid Robot Platforms
The 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster became a turning point for humanoid robot development. Before then, wheeled and tracked robots dominated the robotics industry. Humanoid robots were often considered impractical due to challenges associated with bipedal locomotion, joint control, maintenance complexity, and development difficulty. However, during the Fukushima disaster, conventional robots struggled to operate effectively in human-designed environments. Since infrastructure is built around human dimensions and movement patterns, many disaster-response tasks were difficult for non-humanoid robots to perform. As a result, interest in humanoid robotics increased significantly. More recently, industries have recognized that humanoid robots can be deployed directly into workplaces already designed for humans, leading to rapidly growing demand.
[Fig] Evolution of Humanoid Robot Industry Trends | Source: TechWorld News (2023)
Korean startups are also actively developing humanoid robot technologies. One notable company is Holiday Robotics Co., Ltd. (CEO: Kiyoung Song). The company is developing industrial humanoid robots capable of performing sophisticated tasks by utilizing simulation-based reinforcement learning and computer vision technologies. Recognizing its technological potential, Holiday Robotics successfully secured KRW 17.5 billion in Seed funding. The company plans to use the investment to recruit experts in robot control, large language models (LLMs), and simulation technologies, while also establishing a dedicated robotics research center.
[Fig] Global Humanoid Robot Market Status and Forecast (Unit: Billion USD)
Korea’s leading robotics company Rainbow Robotics Co., Ltd. (CEO: Jungho Lee) has also re-entered the humanoid robotics market. The company previously gained recognition by developing HUBO, Korea’s first humanoid robot. However, development slowed as the company shifted focus toward collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots. Recently, in response to growing market demand, Rainbow Robotics resumed development of a next-generation AI-powered humanoid robot. The company plans to unveil a prototype within this year or early next year.
[Fig] HUBO Humanoid Robot Developed by Rainbow Robotics
Another Korean humanoid robotics company attracting attention is A-Robot (CEO: Yoonseol Eom). The company is developing a humanoid robot named Alice, which incorporates vision-based on-device AI technology. Alice has participated in the annual RoboCup competition and has demonstrated promising technical capabilities. Based on these achievements, A-Robot successfully raised KRW 3.5 billion in Seed funding. Overall, humanoid robot technology development is accelerating across the industry.
[Fig] Alice Humanoid Robot Developed by A-Robot
The Korean government is also actively supporting humanoid robot development. By 2030, the government plans to invest more than KRW 3 trillion and deploy one million robots across industrial sites. The strategy focuses on securing eight core technologies, including five hardware technologies—reducers, servo motors, grippers, sensors, and controllers—and three software technologies—autonomous manipulation, autonomous mobility, and human-robot interaction. In addition, the government aims to train 15,000 robotics specialists and foster 30 intelligent robotics companies with annual revenues exceeding KRW 100 billion.
[Fig] Vision and Strategic Roadmap for Korea’s Advanced Robotics Industry Presented by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
The BLT Patent & Law Firm Research Center stated that “humanoid robot technology presents a significant new opportunity for companies.” The Center further noted that “securing intellectual property rights related to humanoid robotics and AI-based robotic solutions will be an effective long-term strategy.”
As of 2024, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected by more than 2,000 innovative startups as a partner for intellectual property acquisition, strategic planning, investment support, and technology-specialized IPO consulting, helping companies achieve sustainable growth and success.
#HumanoidRobot #IndustrialHumanoid #FigureAI #BMW #Tesla #Optimus #HolidayRobotics #RainbowRobotics #HUBO #ARobot #Alice #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #Automation #Industry40
Humanoid robots are already working at BMW’s factory in California. American humanoid robotics company Figure AI supplied robots to BMW, creating what is considered the world's first humanoid robot workforce. The humanoid robot Figure 01 currently performs material-handling tasks within the factory and is expected to be deployed in vehicle production processes in the future. Following the initial deployment of Figure 01, BMW is expected to expand the use of humanoid robots throughout its manufacturing facilities.
[Fig] Figure 01 Humanoid Robot Deployed at BMW’s California Factory
Industrial humanoid robots are expected to become a solution to soaring labor costs, particularly in the United States. Recently, the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the “Big Three” U.S. automakers—GM, Ford, and Chrysler—reached an agreement that includes a 25% wage increase over four years following major labor strikes. To offset rising labor costs, automakers are aggressively pursuing automation and workforce reduction strategies. Tesla has also developed its humanoid robot, Optimus Gen 2. Optimus Gen 2 can carry objects weighing up to 20 kilograms and perform color-based sorting tasks. Tesla plans to deploy Optimus robots in its factories to accelerate manufacturing automation.
[Fig] Major Industrial Humanoid Robot Platforms
The 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster became a turning point for humanoid robot development. Before then, wheeled and tracked robots dominated the robotics industry. Humanoid robots were often considered impractical due to challenges associated with bipedal locomotion, joint control, maintenance complexity, and development difficulty. However, during the Fukushima disaster, conventional robots struggled to operate effectively in human-designed environments. Since infrastructure is built around human dimensions and movement patterns, many disaster-response tasks were difficult for non-humanoid robots to perform. As a result, interest in humanoid robotics increased significantly. More recently, industries have recognized that humanoid robots can be deployed directly into workplaces already designed for humans, leading to rapidly growing demand.
[Fig] Evolution of Humanoid Robot Industry Trends | Source: TechWorld News (2023)
Korean startups are also actively developing humanoid robot technologies. One notable company is Holiday Robotics Co., Ltd. (CEO: Kiyoung Song). The company is developing industrial humanoid robots capable of performing sophisticated tasks by utilizing simulation-based reinforcement learning and computer vision technologies. Recognizing its technological potential, Holiday Robotics successfully secured KRW 17.5 billion in Seed funding. The company plans to use the investment to recruit experts in robot control, large language models (LLMs), and simulation technologies, while also establishing a dedicated robotics research center.
[Fig] Global Humanoid Robot Market Status and Forecast (Unit: Billion USD)
Korea’s leading robotics company Rainbow Robotics Co., Ltd. (CEO: Jungho Lee) has also re-entered the humanoid robotics market. The company previously gained recognition by developing HUBO, Korea’s first humanoid robot. However, development slowed as the company shifted focus toward collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots. Recently, in response to growing market demand, Rainbow Robotics resumed development of a next-generation AI-powered humanoid robot. The company plans to unveil a prototype within this year or early next year.
[Fig] HUBO Humanoid Robot Developed by Rainbow Robotics
Another Korean humanoid robotics company attracting attention is A-Robot (CEO: Yoonseol Eom). The company is developing a humanoid robot named Alice, which incorporates vision-based on-device AI technology. Alice has participated in the annual RoboCup competition and has demonstrated promising technical capabilities. Based on these achievements, A-Robot successfully raised KRW 3.5 billion in Seed funding. Overall, humanoid robot technology development is accelerating across the industry.
[Fig] Alice Humanoid Robot Developed by A-Robot
The Korean government is also actively supporting humanoid robot development. By 2030, the government plans to invest more than KRW 3 trillion and deploy one million robots across industrial sites. The strategy focuses on securing eight core technologies, including five hardware technologies—reducers, servo motors, grippers, sensors, and controllers—and three software technologies—autonomous manipulation, autonomous mobility, and human-robot interaction. In addition, the government aims to train 15,000 robotics specialists and foster 30 intelligent robotics companies with annual revenues exceeding KRW 100 billion.
[Fig] Vision and Strategic Roadmap for Korea’s Advanced Robotics Industry Presented by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
The BLT Patent & Law Firm Research Center stated that “humanoid robot technology presents a significant new opportunity for companies.” The Center further noted that “securing intellectual property rights related to humanoid robotics and AI-based robotic solutions will be an effective long-term strategy.”
As of 2024, BLT Patent & Law Firm has been selected by more than 2,000 innovative startups as a partner for intellectual property acquisition, strategic planning, investment support, and technology-specialized IPO consulting, helping companies achieve sustainable growth and success.
#HumanoidRobot #IndustrialHumanoid #FigureAI #BMW #Tesla #Optimus #HolidayRobotics #RainbowRobotics #HUBO #ARobot #Alice #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #Automation #Industry40