Humanoid robots have seen recent movement from prototypes to actual deployments, where they can be used in real life commercial applications. IDTechEx's portfolio of Robotics & Autonomy Research Reports and Subscriptions covers the technologies behind what makes humanoids move, including sensor types and actuators, as well as key current trends within the market.
Humanoid sensor technologies
IDTechEx highlights that many automotive companies are now developing humanoid robots, with many sensor technologies crossing over between the two sectors as they require similar systems. The report, "Sensors for Humanoid Robots 2027-2037: Technologies, Players, Forecasts", covers an extensive list of companies that are developing sensors for these robots, with some focused on active deployments and others focusing on innovations and raising funds. Many of the recent deployments of humanoids have been pilot applications or for the purpose of completing simple tasks, while safety and regulation have a chance to catch up.
The sensors used in humanoid robots fall into five main categories named by IDTechEx as perception, tactile, force and torque, encoders, and IMUs. While the individual specifics of the sensors used in humanoid manufacturing processes will vary based on the company producing them, each will require the main functionalities provided by these sensor types.
Perception sensors will give the robots vision, and will be either some sort of camera, or a LiDAR and camera combination working together. For proximity perception, radar and ultrasonic are two technology types outlined by IDTechEx. Tactile sensors, such as MEMS, capacitive, or piezoelectric, are located largely in the hands of the robots, and provide the purpose of allowing humanoids to respond to sensations they feel in order to enhance safety and handle objects or tasks with care. In a similar way, force and torque sensors can provide information about strains or loads on the robot. IMUs and encoders are responsible for positioning and orientation, so that humanoids can possess spatial awareness similar to that of a human.
Trends and materials for humanoids
There are many key drivers for humanoid development and deployment within the current market. Artificial intelligence being used to train humanoids could help with simple movements, tasks, and navigation, while trends surrounding hardware optimization are focusing on creating more ease surrounding manufacturing, maintenance, and deployment so that the robots can be as useful as possible in commercial applications. The high number of companies operating within the sector is also creating a strong ecosystem of OEMs which will benefit the development of humanoids and innovation going forward. However, IDTechEx reports that costs and reliability are two of the main concerns surrounding their deployment which will require more investment and regulation in order to move the technology forward.
IDTechEx's report, "Materials for Humanoid Robots 2026-2036: Technologies, Players, Forecasts", provides comparisons of different humanoid robot types, stating that non-industrial humanoids are much lighter in weight than those designed to work in industrial settings, largely due to material requirements differing. Around 80% of humanoids are designed for industrial environments, while the other 20% are expected to be deployed for consumer environments such as at home, in the service industry, and within the research sector.
Industrial robots need to be made of heavy-duty materials in order to withstand high-stress environments and higher payloads. For increased freedom of movement, more actuators are also needed, which will also add to the weight of the robots.
Actuators are necessary for movement such as walking, lifting, handling tools, and interacting with the environment. They can use different systems to work such as pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic, with IDTechEx's research finding that electric is currently the most common type. Actuators need to be wear-resistant and are commonly made from materials such as metal alloys and rare-earth permanent magnets. IDTechEx also found in an analysis of over 50 humanoid robots, that each robot has an average of around 31 actuators, highlighting the necessity of this particular part to the operational capabilities of humanoid robots.
For more information on sensors, trends, and materials for humanoid robots, and information on many other robotic technologies, visit IDTechEx's portfolio of Robotics & Autonomy Research Reports and Subscriptions for the latest developments.
