The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has released its July 2025 position paper titled “Humanoid Robots: Vision & Reality”, exploring the state of play, technological advancements, and near-term prospects for humanoid robotics across industries. As automation continues to evolve at breakneck speed, this report offers a timely perspective for both technology leaders and workforce strategists.
Key insights from the report:
🔹 Humanoids move beyond fiction
Long a staple of science fiction and cinema, humanoid robots are now entering real-world pilot projects, powered by advances in AI, machine learning, dynamic motor control, and sensor technology. The goal? Robots that can function effectively in environments built for humans, without needing those environments to change.
🔹 Target industries are beginning to emerge
Manufacturing (predominantly automotive), logistics, warehousing, and healthcare are among the first movers. Humanoids are being trialled in tasks like machine tending, kitting, monitoring, delivery assistance, basic care, and patient interaction. In the hospitality and retail industries, humanoid robots are being tested as customer-facing assistants, leveraging speech, vision, and emotion recognition systems to enhance the user experience.
🔹 A global arms race — but with different philosophies
- The US is focused on practical productivity applications, with significant private investment from companies like Tesla, NVIDIA, and Amazon, alongside government interest through DARPA and the Department of Defence.
- China has placed humanoids at the centre of its national strategy, with aggressive goals to mass-produce them and lead in global component supply chains.
- Japan continues its unique path, developing humanoids as social companions for an ageing population.
- Europe is adopting a more cautious, ethics-first approach, with an emphasis on human-centric design, safety, and regulatory frameworks, such as the EU AI Act.
🔹 The technology is advancing fast, but adoption is still early
Despite rapid progress, mass adoption is limited by battery life (typically just 1 hour today), high production costs, and the complexity of creating robots that are both agile and intelligent. While humanoids may not replace traditional industrial robots anytime soon, they are expected to complement them, particularly in flexible or less structured environments where dexterity and human-like interaction are highly valued.
What does this mean from a workforce and recruitment perspective?
Many of our clients in automation, robotics, and manufacturing are asking:
“Where do humanoids fit into our future workforce strategy?”
The conversation is no longer if, but when and where these systems can add value, particularly in sectors experiencing labour shortages, rising wages, and increased safety demands. In human-centric environments (factories, hospitals, care homes, warehouses), humanoids could eventually take on roles that are too dull, dirty, or dangerous for humans, or simply too hard to fill.
This shift has real recruitment implications. We’re already seeing rising demand for talent in:
- Mechatronics and embedded systems
- AI and machine learning (especially for robotics)
- Sensor integration and control systems
- Human-robot interface (HRI) development
- Software engineers with simulation/digital twin experience
The future will be built by people who understand not just how to automate, but how to collaborate with intelligent machines. Whether you’re creating the robots, deploying them, or adapting operations to work alongside them, now is the time to invest in the right talent.
Image Credit – https://neura-robotics.com/
