We May Not Know How Strong AI Humanoid Robots Really Are - CNET
Taken together, these two parallel news stories raise questions about what kind of information humanoid robot developers should share so that the risks of this technology are properly understood.
Key takeaways
The most recent developments in humanoid robotics focus on large‑scale industrial deployments. In late December 2025, Italian firm Oversonic Robotics announced a supply agreement with semiconductor giant STMicroelectronics to integrate its RoBee cognitive humanoid robots across the chipmaker’s global production sites, marking the first operational use of humanoid robots in semiconductor manufacturing. Around the same time, Chinese battery leader CATL unveiled the world’s first mass‑produced humanoid robot line for battery pack assembly; the robot, dubbed “Xiaomo,” is now handling complex tasks such as connector insertion on CATL’s production lines. These moves signal a shift from prototype demonstrations toward practical, high‑volume applications of humanoid robots in both semiconductor and battery‑manufacturing sectors.
Taken together, these two parallel news stories raise questions about what kind of information humanoid robot developers should share so that the risks of this technology are properly understood.
To see both of these robots in action, check out the latest episode of What the Future, embedded in this article.
Computing Guides
Laptops 2 min read
Robot demonstrations and lawsuits are raising questions and concerns about the capabilities -- and strength -- of humanoid robots.
First in the spotlight is the robotics company Figure AI, which is facing a lawsuit from former safety engineer Robert Gruendel. The lawsuit alleges the company's Figure 02 humanoid was shown in tests to be strong enough to "fracture a human skull," and that Gruendel was fired after raising concerns. Tech Computing
We May Not Know How Strong AI Humanoid Robots Really Are
Recent demonstrations and lawsuits over the strength of AI humanoid robots raise essential questions about safety standards.
Jesse Orrall Senior Video Producer
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