The race is on to develop robots that not only look more like humans but move and behave like them too. Early-stage humanoid robots have actuators that are dexterous and sensitive enough to complete tasks that require a keen eye and a soft grip, such as dusting surfaces or picking up soft fruits on a production line without damaging them. But this is just the beginning, so how lifelike could they soon become?
With innovation activity gathering pace and the market for humanoid robotics growing rapidly, fuelled by new foundation models, there could be a significant commercial opportunity for early movers.
Those companies that succeed in developing novel systems that are quick and have a low failure rate, combined with an ability to interact with their environment and deliver services intelligently, could patent technologies that become standard essential in the future.
With the backing of investors and the attention of several serial entrepreneurs, a series of humanoid robots have been launched onto the market in recent years, developed by innovators hoping to secure an early mover advantage. What sets them apart is often their lifelike appearance and autonomous mobility, which are a significant advancement on rows of robotic arms fitted with actuators, which we might expect to see on the factory floor.
However, market forecasts for humanoid robotics suggest that there is more to come.
Looking the part
Once only existent in sci-fi films and fiction, the pursuit of the world’s first general purpose humanoid robot that is versatile, fast moving, and user-friendly, has captured the imagination of tech innovators. Among the earliest examples of such innovation is Japan’s ASIMO robot developed by Honda in 2000. This robot has since been retired so the company can concentrate on remote-controlled, avatar-style technology.
For Japanese innovators in particular, the development of humanoid robots that look and behave like human beings has been a key trend for software and hardware developers for more than 50 years. For example, Japanese company SoftBank filed a patent in 2023 at the Japanese Patent Office towards a technology that prevents autonomous humanoid robots from impeding or otherwise interfering with each other when carrying out tasks, allowing for enhanced cooperating between multiple such humanoid robotics systems. The company continues to file a significant number of patent applications globally each year that refer to humanoid robotics.
Since its inception in the 1960s and 70s, the humanoid robotics innovation race has been gathering momentum steadily and innovators from around the world are now helping to advance robotics technology. China’s Unitree Robotics, for example, owns a strong portfolio of patented technologies for its quadrupedal robot and the company recently claimed that its new G1 robot has the ‘smoothest walking and humanoid running system in the world’. In 2024, the company filed a Chinese patent application towards a leg power structure for a humanoid robot that includes a leg arrangement with various drive units, enabling a wide range of postures and movements in a simple and compact structure.
Another example of a company pursuing an early mover advantage in this field of robotics is Boston Dynamics. The US-based company has recently launched an enhanced, AI-powered version of its well-known Atlas robot, which is capable of moving engine parts on a production line without the need for human intervention. Underpinning this robotic innovation are recent patent applications from Boston Dynamics targeting object control, gripping, and limiting arm forces and torques.
More than a demonstrator
As robots become more humanoid and move closer to industrial usefulness, the old-style demonstrator robots routinely seen at exhibitions and trade shows, are being replaced by smart robots built using the latest AI-based foundation models from companies such as NVIDIA and the AI Institute.
Instead of simply performing set tasks in a carefully curated and controlled environment, these advanced humanoid robots are smarter, more reliable, and more versatile by design. For example, some AI-powered humanoid robots can process and analyse diverse sensor data simultaneously and use high-precision actuators with soft grippers to react appropriately. Over the years, these humanoid robots have become more lifelike in terms of their overall appearance, but innovators know not to take this too far. The aim is to mimic humans in terms of their appearance and behaviours, but not too closely, as this way robots are more likely to be perceived as friendly and non-threatening.
Building on foundation models
The excitement surrounding various emerging foundation models is driving robotics innovation, and with patent filing activity on a steep curve, a tipping point is nearing that could lead to rapid and widespread adoption of humanoid robots.
Recently introduced by NVIDIA, Project GR00T is a new foundation model for humanoid robotic systems that aims to support innovators and accelerate development. Otherwise known as the Generalist Robot 00 Technology project, GR00T provides a generative AI platform and workflows to accelerate the development of advanced capabilities for humanoid robots and bridge the simulation-to-reality gap. NVIDIA also launched the Isaac Manipulator library last year, providing a collection of foundation models and associated technologies to accelerate the development of robotic system control.
As innovators seek to build on these foundation models, more next generation humanoid robots will emerge that are capable of interacting with humans, in some cases understanding human speech and even holding short conversations. By detecting and analysing complex data, these advanced humanoid robots will be able to perform wide-ranging tasks reliably and intelligently in less structured environments, such as in public places or in the home. Advances in modern battery technology, combined with better sensor technology and high-precision actuators will increase the efficiency and versatility of these next generation robots further.
Softbank’s Pepper is an early example of a next generation humanoid robot that has demonstrated its usefulness as a robot for people. For example, it has been used to perform light service roles successfully in public places, such as museums and art galleries. With a tablet embedded in its chest, it moves around a given space, assisting and sharing knowledge with members of the public. Another example is Kime, developed by Spain’s Macco Robotics – an AI-powered humanoid robot for the hospitality industry, which has demonstrated its usefulness as a bar tender.
Showcasing the symbiotic relationship that humanoid robots can have with humans, China is hosting the world’s first humanoid robot half marathon in the streets of Beijing this month, where about 12,000 humans are expected to run a distance of 21km alongside a range of humanoid robots manufactured by more than 20 companies. To enter the race, robots must have a humanoid appearance and have a mechanical structure that allows them to move like a human, e.g. by bipedal walking or running.
As innovation activity gathers pace, the window of opportunity that currently exists to secure patent rights which build on core hardware technologies that could become standard essential in the future, is closing fast. This is because some robotic hardware patents have been around for more than a decade already, so the time left to build on them before the 20-year term of market exclusivity lapses, is limited. Working with IP professionals will ensure that innovators have access to strategic advice to guide their activities, mitigating the risk of infringing others’ rights and optimising their chances of securing core IP with licensing potential in the global humanoid robotics race.
Author details: Chris Froud is partner and Theo Worsley, associate, at Withers & Rogers. Both are patent attorney's and specialists in robotics and automation.
