Humanoid robots are poised to become a common sight in warehouses, working alongside humans to address labor shortages and handle tasks that may be hazardous to human workers. Major companies, such as Amazon and GXO, are already testing these advanced machines in their facilities. One of the primary reasons for the growing interest in humanoid robots is their increasingly human-like appearance and movements. Tesla founder Elon Musk is a significant proponent of this technology. Tesla aims to achieve mass production of "truly useful" humanoid robots this year, with plans to release them to the market by 2026 at a price range of $20,000 to $30,000. Agility Robotics, another leading company, is also making strides in deploying its Digit robot in warehouses. The Digit robot has been tested in the factories of several automotive manufacturers, including Ford and BMW. Despite the promising future, the development of humanoid robots still faces several challenges. The primary issue is cost, as a single robot can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Additionally, the technology itself needs further refinement. Humanoid robots currently struggle with adapting to various environments and interpreting multiple commands. Some experts even question their suitability for certain tasks, arguing that different tasks might require different robot designs and technologies. However, the investment community remains optimistic about the potential of humanoid robots. In 2024, companies in this sector raised a total of $1.2 billion in venture capital, and this year, the figure is expected to exceed $3 billion. Agility Robotics recently secured a $400 million funding round, raising its valuation to $1.75 billion. Apptronik, another key player, completed a $350 million Series A funding round in February, focusing on the development of its humanoid robot Apollo. It's worth noting that humanoid robots perform best in structured environments, such as factories and warehouses. These settings are more predictable and controlled, reducing the likelihood of unexpected issues. In contrast, non-structured environments like homes require robots with higher safety standards and adaptability. Benjamin Lawrence, a senior analyst at CB Insights, explained, "In a home, a robot must interact safely with elders, children, and pets, avoiding things like stepping on a dog's tail or knocking over a candle and starting a fire." While current testing is on a relatively small scale, Adrian Stock, the chief automation officer at logistics company GXO, is confident in the technology's future. "We believe this is a crucial direction, and large-scale deployment is just a matter of time," he stated. Stock emphasized that while full commercialization of humanoid robots is not imminent, it is not far off either. The advance of humanoid robots represents more than just a technological leap; it is a natural progression in the AI field. From generative AI to agency AI and physical AI, ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence continue to drive the capabilities and potential applications of humanoid robots. At the CES 2025 event, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang predicted, "The ChatGPT moment for general-purpose robots is approaching." Although significant hurdles remain, the increasing investment and testing activities reflect the market's belief in the future of humanoid robots. These machines are expected to gradually transform the operations of warehouses, factories, and other industries over the next few years, enhancing efficiency and alleviating the physical burden on human workers. However, their ultimate success hinges on achieving breakthroughs in cost and technology. Industry insiders generally agree that humanoid robots hold a competitive edge in specific tasks that demand high flexibility and adaptability. However, for many other tasks, existing technologies like robotic arms and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are already effective. Therefore, companies should carefully evaluate their needs and choose the most appropriate technology combination rather than adopting humanoid robots solely because of their human-like form. CB Insights, a well-known market research firm, has been closely tracking tech and business trends. Agility Robotics, with its Digit robot, has successfully tested its technology in various industries. As the field continues to evolve, the integration of humanoid robots into industrial settings is seen as a promising but gradual process.