AT the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), humanoid robots dazzled audiences with dancing, somersaults, blackjack dealing, and ping-pong matches.
Yet industry experts caution that true human-like autonomy remains years away. Current large language models, like those powering ChatGPT, cannot translate sensory input into embodied actions needed for practical tasks in kitchens or factories.
Carnegie Mellon’s Henny Admoni stressed that embodied learning requires robots to interact physically with the world, while Humanoid Guide’s Christian Rokseth criticized the slow pace of innovation, urging productivity over spectacle.
EngineAI, collaborating with Amazon and Meta, is developing AI “brains” for robots, though founder Evan Yao emphasized they will never replicate human emotions. Robotera’s humanoid is even training for a marathon, highlighting experimental applications.
The Consumer Technology Association projects the robotics market to reach $179 billion by 2030, with most growth in factories and warehouses.
Hyundai, in partnership with Boston Dynamics, unveiled Atlas, a humanoid robot designed for industrial testing.
However, many so-called autonomous robots are still teleoperated, with human movements guiding them. Startups are experimenting with training methods like haptic gloves and wearable cameras to teach robots real-world tasks. Experts agree that for humanoids to become general-purpose machines, they must move beyond controlled environments into everyday life. — AFP