Three robotics experts said humanoid robots need to move beyond flashy demos to performing tasks that are actually useful in the real world at scale.

Airbus ordered UBTech’s Walker S2, a full-size humanoid that stands 176 cm tall (5’9"), weighs 70 kg (154 lbs), and walks at about two meters/second (4.5 mph). It has dextrous hands with 11 degrees of freedom and tactile sensors, and can hold 7.5 kg (16.5 lbs) in each hand and 1 kg (2.2 lbs) with each finger.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said Thursday that he expects the company to begin selling humanoid robots to the public by the end of 2027. Why it matters: Musk has billed Tesla's Optimus robot as a globally transformational technology capable of performing innumerable human tasks.

Raj Subramaniam said "super humanoid robots" with a "couple of elbows" would be better at automating deliveries.

Many researchers agree that there has been a step change in humanoid capability over the past five years, owing to cheaper parts as well as innovations such as improved battery power and artificial-intelligence algorithms, which allow for better perception and autonomy.

Elon Musk’s surprise Thursday appearance at the World Economic Conference got off to a rocky start with a failed joke about Greenland and some awkward stumbles – though he also announced plans to sell humanoid robots by the end of 2027 and achieve approval for “full self-driving” vehicles overseas.

Humans are desperate to put the robots to work. The only problem is, the robots don’t “work” to any degree. These humanoid bots are interesting. Some are even cute. Few, if any, are anywhere close to prime time. It was a dour scene at CES 2026, so much so I can’t help but wonder if they ever will be.

Louisiana has partnered with Persona AI for a humanoid robotics pilot program at a steel fabrication facility, aiming to improve safety and efficiency.

On Jan. 22, Louisiana's economic development agency and St. Bernard-based SSE Steel Fabrication announced an agreement with Houston-based tech startup Persona AI to launch a pilot program at SSE to develop humanoid robotics for industrial uses. Greater New Orleans Inc., southeast Louisiana's economic development nonprofit, also is participating.

By Heekyong Yang and Hyunjoo Jin SEOUL, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Hyundai Motor's labour union in South Korea warned the automaker on Thursday against deploying humanoid robots without union approval, saying the robots would bring "employment shocks".