This AI robot startup thinks humanoids are overrated - Business Insider
## The data problem Most general-purpose robotics companies are still in development or early deployment. Elon Musk has described Optimus as central to Tesla's future, but the company has shared few details about the humanoid robot.
Key takeaways
- Europe’s robot scene is heating up after the Vivatech trade fair in Paris, where humanoid robots such as Enchanted Tools’ Mirokai – a social robot with orange ears and blue eyes that can greet visitors in more than 50 languages – were shown performing tasks ranging from grape harvesting to hospital reception.
- New European players, including Germany’s Neura, which builds industrial and household humanoids, announced a US$1.4 billion funding round, positioning themselves to fill niche markets that Chinese giants dominate; in 2025, about 87 percent of the roughly 13,000 humanoid robots deployed worldwide came from Chinese factories, according to consultancy Omdia.
- At the same time, Nvidia disclosed that its Halos software, adapted from self‑driving technology, will give future humanoid robots better situational awareness and safer interaction with people.
- The commercial market is also expanding: the Unitree G1 is available online for around US$16,000, Agility Robotics’ Digit sells for roughly US$250,000 to industrial clients, and 1X Technologies is opening pre‑orders for its Neo home‑assistant at US$20,000 or a subscription model, with shipments expected later in 2026.
- Meanwhile, some startups, such as Genesis AI, argue that the humanoid form factor is overrated and are focusing on wheeled robots like Eno that prioritize utility over human‑like appearance.
The data problem
Most general-purpose robotics companies are still in development or early deployment. Elon Musk has described Optimus as central to Tesla's future, but the company has shared few details about the humanoid robot. Figure AI, most recently valued at $39 billion, signed a deal last month with Catalyst Brands, the parent company of JCPenney, Aéropostale, and Brooks Brothers, to deploy humanoids in its distribution and logistics network. Hyundai-owned Boston Dynamics plans to deploy Atlas in factories in 2028, while Agility Robotics' Digit is already deployed with customers including Amazon and logistics company GXO. Subscribe Newsletters
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The latest news and analysis on robotics, from humanoid AI to real-world automation.
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This AI robot startup thinks humanoids are overrated
By Rya Jetha
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Read in app Other companies are heading into homes. Sunday Robotics is preparing to launch Memo, a wheeled robot that can do dishes, fold laundry, and pull an espresso shot, as part of a beta program this fall. 1X has said it plans to ship Neo to homes later this year and expects to produce more than 10,000 robots.
Xian said Genesis AI will begin deployments with industrial customers and hopes to reach homes in three to five years.
"The technology is not there yet to handle all the corner cases and interaction with kids," he said. "There's a lot of safety concerns and no rigorous industry standards."
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