For years, humanoid robots were largely confined to research labs and flashy demonstrations—such as Optimus serving drinks at a Tesla event in 2024. That is now rapidly changing, thanks to major advances in both artificial intelligence and hardware. In particular, one of the most difficult technical hurdles in robotics—dexterous manipulation and the ability of robotic hands to handle objects reliably—is gradually being overcome.
Over the past year, major industrial companies—from automotive manufacturers to logistics operators and aerospace groups—have begun testing humanoid robots in real production environments. While these deployments remain at the pilot stage, they mark a meaningful shift: humanoid robots are moving from experimental prototypes toward practical industrial tools.
Given its long history of automation and robotics integration, the automotive industry has unsurprisingly emerged as one of the earliest testing grounds. BMW has partnered with U.S.-based, privately-held Figure AI to test humanoid robots inside its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant. During the initial pilot phase, the robots were deployed to handle repetitive logistics tasks on the production line, such as moving components and supplying parts to workers.
The trial has progressed significantly. Figure’s robots are now operating on active production lines during regular shifts, performing thousands of parts-handling operations as part of BMW’s manufacturing workflow.
Interestingly, BMW is also pursuing a second humanoid initiative in its home market, suggesting the company is benchmarking different humanoid technologies before deciding on large-scale deployment. The company recently partnered with the robotics division of Sweden-based Hexagon to deploy the AEON humanoid robot at its Leipzig plant in Germany. The robot is expected to assist with tasks in high-voltage battery assembly and component manufacturing.
Mercedes-Benz is following a similar path through its partnership with another U.S. robotics startup, Apptronik. The automaker has invested in the company and is currently testing its Apollo humanoid robot at manufacturing facilities in Europe. These robots are being evaluated for tasks such as transporting components, assisting with quality checks, and performing repetitive operations that can strain human workers. If the trials prove successful, Mercedes plans to expand deployments to additional production sites.
The aerospace industry is also beginning to explore humanoid robotics. Airbus has signed an agreement with Chinese robotics company UBTECH to deploy Walker S2 humanoid robots in aircraft manufacturing environments. The initial focus is on testing applications such as material handling and production assistance on assembly lines. Airbus and UBTECH plan to expand these experiments to determine where humanoid robots could best complement existing automation systems.
For aerospace manufacturers—whose production environments are complex and designed around human workers rather than fully automated lines—humanoid robots may provide a level of flexibility that traditional industrial robots struggle to achieve.
Beyond industrial factories, logistics operations represent another key testing ground. In collaboration with Amazon, Agility’s Digit robot has become one of the first humanoids to operate continuously inside a commercial warehouse environment. Unlike most warehouse robots—which are typically wheeled platforms or fixed robotic arms—Digit is a bipedal robot designed to navigate spaces built for humans.
Amazon’s initial pilot focuses on a specific use case: moving empty containers within fulfillment centers. The robot collects empty containers and transports them across the facility, reducing the need for workers to perform repetitive lifting tasks.
Across these early deployments, a common pattern is emerging. Most humanoid pilots share three key characteristics. First, they take place in structured environments such as factories and warehouses, where workflows are predictable. Second, they address persistent labor shortages, particularly for repetitive or physically demanding tasks. Third, they leverage infrastructure designed for humans—shelves, tools, workstations, and walkways—which humanoid robots can interact with more naturally than conventional industrial machines.
These factors make industrial environments the most immediate opportunity for humanoid robotics commercialization.
While the industry remains at an early stage, the momentum is building rapidly. Automotive companies, aerospace manufacturers, and logistics operators are increasingly experimenting with humanoid platforms as advances in AI, sensors, and robotics hardware continue to accelerate.
If these early trials prove successful, humanoid robot shipments could scale dramatically by the end of the decade—potentially reaching millions of units and becoming a common feature of industrial workplaces.
