Honda’s new ‘Avatar’ humanoid robot suggests the spirit of ASIMO is very much alive
But Honda didn’t abandon humanoid robotics. Instead, much of the technology and expertise accumulated through decades of ASIMO development appears to have migrated into a new generation of research – including the company’s striking Avatar Robot (main pictu...
Key takeaways
- In the past week the most notable developments in humanoid robotics include Unitree’s Shanghai STAR‑Market IPO subscription shattering records—over 8,000 times oversubscribed—and the unveiling of a new “Superman” humanoid that can jump two metres and run at 12.66 m / s, bringing its total production to roughly 18,000 units.
- BYD’s announced Xiao Di humanoid remains unverified.
- Honda demonstrated its Avatar robot, featuring a multi‑fingered hand, as a remote‑operated physical extension rather than an autonomous worker.
- U.S. startup Foundation promoted its Phantom humanoid for rugged border‑patrol tasks, claiming autonomous navigation and human detection, though the Department of Homeland Security says no formal agreement exists.
- Market data show global shipments reached about 19,100 units in the first half of 2026, with forecasts of 60,000 units by year‑end and up to 500,000 by 2030, while analysts at Goldman Sachs and Barclays view the sector as a major growth driver following recent IPO activity.
But Honda didn’t abandon humanoid robotics. Instead, much of the technology and expertise accumulated through decades of ASIMO development appears to have migrated into a new generation of research – including the company’s striking Avatar Robot (main picture) and an extraordinarily dexterous new robotic hand.
Honda demonstrated both at Humanoids Summit 2026 in May, where visitors could remotely operate the Avatar Robot and experience the movements of its multi-fingered hand.
The robot is conceived less as an autonomous humanoid worker and more as a physical extension of a human operator. Honda’s long-term idea is that someone could remotely use an Avatar Robot to perform work somewhere they cannot – or should not – physically be. Skip to primary navigation Skip to primary sidebar Skip to secondary sidebar
Robotics & Automation News
Where Innovation Meets Imagination
by David Edwards
Whatever happened to ASIMO? Honda’s famous humanoid robot (pictured below with what we believe is an actual human female) disappeared from public view several years ago, just before an extraordinary new wave of humanoid development swept through the robotics industry.
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