Mobile manipulators and humanoids: The future of robotics

Humanoid robotics and software startups have emerged weekly for the past year, capturing media attention and billions of dollars in investment. While some humanoids are in commercial trials, semi-humanoid and nonhumanoid mobile manipulators are already arriving in factories and warehouses.

How are locomotion, manual dexterity, and flexible skills training proceeding? This free download looks at the current state of mobile manipulator and humanoid development.

Technical concerns include power management, 360-degree but affordable perception, and data collection and processing for AI and world models. The Robot Report spoke with industry experts to get beyond the hype and learn where bimanual manipulation and legged robots are heading.

We’ve compiled a list of more than 200 verified humanoid robot providers, noting where they are located around the world, what types of systems they are working on, and whether their products are in development or are available for sale.

At the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo, a keynote session discussed the challenges and choices involved in bringing advanced systems to maturity. The industry-leading panelists touched on lessons in scaling from the automotive industry.

In addition, this report includes a discussion with the CEO of Brightpick, a leading provider of mobile manipulators. Jan Zizka talks about how to combine an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) with a manipulator arm and gripper, the debate between specialization and general-purpose robotics, and more.

Lattice Semiconductor examines the need for reliability and security in AI-enabled humanoid robots, particularly those in public-facing applications. Its practical recommendations can help hardware and software developers.

Speaking of human-machine interaction, Palm Garden AI shares its observations in training humanoid service robots. The company has built its Coherence Guard on hospitality and therapeutic experiences, and it is working on a patented layer to guide social interactions.

On the skills training side, Unidata describes its approach to egocentric data collection.

Download this report now via the form below to get insights into where humanoids and mobile manipulators are now and where they’re heading.