The uncanny valley and how humans relate to humanoids - Robotics & Automation News
Some developers emphasize mechanical transparency – robots that clearly look like machines. Others pursue human-inspired designs that balance familiarity with abstraction. A smaller group continues to explore fully realistic androids.
Key takeaways
The most recent coverage shows that humanoid robots are moving from experimental prototypes toward commercial and workplace deployment. In March 2026, robotics startup Sunday announced a $165 million Series B round that valued the company at $1.15 billion and positioned its household humanoid, Memo, to handle chores such as laundry and table clearing, with a wait‑list already exceeding 1,000 users. Automakers are also expanding their pilots: BMW is testing the Hexagon‑developed Aeon robot on its Leipzig assembly line, while Mercedes‑Benz has invested in Apptronik to evaluate humanoids for part handling and inspections in factories. Agility Robotics’ Digit and Figure AI’s humanoid platforms continue to be trialled for logistics and material movement, and Apptronik’s Apollo is being positioned for similar tasks. Researchers in Korea’s KIMM have introduced an AI system that lets robots learn everyday tasks by watching human demonstrations, achieving over 90 % success across varied activities. Meanwhile, analysts are revisiting the “uncanny valley” as designers balance human‑like appearance with functional transparency for settings ranging from factories to healthcare. A parallel consumer trend is emerging: New Scientist reported that several companies—including 1X’s Neo robot—are taking pre‑orders for affordable humanoid assistants priced at a few thousand pounds, marking the first wave of robots that could be bought for home use. Despite these advances, experts such as Quanta Magazine note that humanoids still struggle with handling small, irregular objects, underscoring the technical challenges that remain before they become routine helpers in everyday environments.
Some developers emphasize mechanical transparency – robots that clearly look like machines. Others pursue human-inspired designs that balance familiarity with abstraction. A smaller group continues to explore fully realistic androids.
The right answer may depend on context. A humanoid robot working on a factory floor may not need a human face at all, while robots operating in healthcare or hospitality environments may benefit from more human-like features.
Ultimately, the goal of humanoid robotics may not be perfect imitation.
Instead, it may be something more subtle: designing machines that fit naturally into human environments without triggering the strange psychological discomfort that Masahiro Mori first described more than half a century ago. Skip to primary navigation Skip to primary sidebar Skip to secondary sidebar
Robotics & Automation News
Where Innovation Meets Imagination
The uncanny valley and how humans relate to humanoids
by Sam Francis
Exploring the psychological aspects of designing and interacting with human-like robots
Humanoid robots are moving steadily from laboratories and research demos toward commercial deployment. Machines built by companies such as Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Boston Dynamics are increasingly designed to operate in environments originally built for humans – factories, warehouses, hospitals, and homes.
But as robots begin to resemble people more closely, another question re-emerges – one that engineers, psychologists, and filmmakers have been grappling with for decades. The audience is left uncertain whether Sonny is a tool, a person, or something in between – a classic uncanny valley ambiguity.
Ava – the calculated eeriness of Ex Machina
A more recent and deliberately unsettling example appears in Ex Machina.
The humanoid robot Ava, played by Alicia Vikander, combines human facial features with visibly mechanical components. Transparent sections of her body reveal circuitry and metal structures beneath.
This hybrid design creates a fascinating psychological tension.
Ava is clearly a machine, yet her voice, facial expressions, and movements are convincingly human. The audience is constantly forced to reconcile these conflicting signals.
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