Forbes has compiled a map of 18 companies creating humanoid robots

Forbes interviewed experts and named 18 companies that are now setting the pace in the race for humanoid robots. The list includes startups like Agility Robotics and Apptronik, aimed at factories, and giants like Tesla, BYD, Samsung and Toyota.

Not a single leader, but different strategies

The main thing in this collection is not a single leader. And the difference is between those who already have factory pilots, production facilities or real deliveries, and those who are still relying on demonstrations or distant consumer ambitions.

According to Forbes, robots will first take root in factories and warehouses. At home, in hospitals and nursing homes - later: it’s too difficult with security and unpredictability.

Key figures according to Forbes

Chinese base: By 2025, there were more than 140 manufacturers of humanoid robots and over 330 models in China - according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the People's Republic of China.

1X Neo: Home robot is rumored to cost $20,000 - or $499 per month. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.

Agility's capacity: The RoboFab plant in Oregon is said to be capable of producing 10,000 humanoid robots per year.

Unitree Pricing: The G1 and H1 models cost approximately $16,000. In 2025, according to the company, 5,500 units were shipped.

Factory tested - the strongest thread

Several companies on the Forbes list are judged not so much by their anthropomorphic appearance, but by whether their robots work in real production. Agility Robotics is one of the most obvious examples for warehouses. Their robot, Digit, is built for logistics tasks, and the company is working with Amazon to explore the possibility of supporting a fulfillment network.

Apptronik with its Apollo model is another player in the industry. Forbes notes: Apollo is based on an earlier development by NASA Valkyrie, received support from Google DeepMind and is intended for factories and warehouses. It has replaceable arms and hot-swappable batteries. According to the article, Mercedes-Benz is already using the robot in its factories.

Figure AI is also tied to the auto industry. Her robot, Figure 02, works at the BMW plant in Spartanburg, including operations related to the production of tens of thousands of cars, Forbes reports. Sanctuary AI focuses on dexterity and fine motor skills: their Phoenix is ​​working in partnership with Magna International, where the technology is being used in automotive assembly operations.

UBTech falls into the same industrial category. Forbes cites data that the company has collected one of the largest data sets on the industrial activity of humanoid robots and deployed a record number of such machines at automaker factories. Boston Dynamics continues to set the standard for mobility with Atlas, although the main commercial question is whether their engineering excellence can translate into scalable products.

China and price pressure shape the market

Forbes is paying an unusual amount of attention to China's humanoid robot ecosystem. AgiBot is a major Chinese player backed by BYD. The company has reportedly already delivered 10,000 units. The Yuanzheng A2 series is equipped with dexterous manipulators that can perform delicate tasks. One of the robots, according to Forbes, walked 106 kilometers from Suzhou to Shanghai without a single fall, setting a Guinness record.

Engine AI stands out for its smoother movements: in 2025, their humanoid robot allegedly performed a forward somersault. Unitree is all about affordability: their humanoids are significantly cheaper than many of their competitors. Xiaomi CyberOne is equipped with a 4.7 billion parameter vision, language and action model, as well as an active liquid cooling system, which the company calls “robotic sweat”. According to rumors, it is already being tested at Chinese electric vehicle assembly plants.

Fourier, which began with medical rehabilitation robotics, is represented by the GR series - models GR-1 and GR-3. Forbes notes their soft outer casing is a design solution for safer interactions with humans, an issue that is becoming more pressing as humanoids move out of controlled demonstrations and work near staff.

Home robots are a high-risk bet

1X Technologies is the most obvious consumer project on the list. Forbes writes that the OpenAI-backed company has moved from wheeled industrial robots to domestic humanoids. Neo was shown folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher and cleaning up clutter. The article notes a key challenge: Homes are chaotic, unpredictable, and have an infinite number of edge cases.

Other major companies are approaching humanoids through their existing industrial base. BYD is developing robotics competencies while collaborating with AgiBot and UBTech. Samsung has acquired stakes in robotics firms including Rainbow Robotics and announced plans to make its global manufacturing facilities powered by AI by 2030, with humanoid robots expected to be employed in assembly, logistics and facility management.

Tesla's Optimus remains one of Tesla's most notable projects, thanks in large part to Elon Musk's statements that humanoid robots could become more important to Tesla than cars. Forbes reports that Optimus prototypes are regularly shown and are rumored to be already being tested at Tesla factories. Toyota is taking a broader route, assembling cars while developing soft robotics like Punyo to interact more safely with humans.

European Neura Robotics is represented by the 4NE1 model: according to Forbes, it uses synthetic skin for tactile contact and is capable of lifting up to 100 kilograms. Noble Machines is a California startup founded by former Apple, SpaceX and NASA employees. Forbes writes that the company deployed its first humanoid robots to a Fortune 500 company in just 18 months.

Quality of evidence map

For operators and robotics teams, the Forbes list is essentially a map of quality evidence. Factory pilots, units delivered, production capacity and prices deserve more weight than stage stunts or grand claims of universal labor.

The next filter is whether these robots can perform useful tasks repeatedly, safely, and at a price that will survive beyond the pilot budget.

Source: forbes.com