The best and most ridiculous robots of 2025 in pictures - New Scientist

This striking humanoid robot is the R1 from Robbyant, a company owned by Chinese tech giant Ant Group. The allure of humanoid robots is their versatility – you can imagine them doing any job that a human can, simply because they have the same appendages.

But unlike wheeled robots, they have to deal with balancing on two legs, which is no mean feat. The R1 strikes a balance, with a stable wheeled base and a humanoid form from the waist up.

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Technology

The best and most ridiculous robots of 2025 in pictures

Some of the world's most advanced robots showed off their skills at tech shows and sporting events, doing everything from cooking shrimp to running half marathons

By Matthew Sparkes

29 December 2025