Mobile Manipulators and Humanoids: Shaping the Future of Robotics

The past year has seen a steady stream of humanoid robotics and software startups, each generating significant media buzz and attracting billions in investment. While some humanoid models are undergoing commercial trials, semi-humanoid and nonhumanoid mobile manipulators are already being deployed in factories and warehouses worldwide.

This report provides a comprehensive look at the current state of mobile manipulator and humanoid development, covering locomotion, manual dexterity, and flexible skill training. It also addresses critical technical concerns such as power management, affordable 360-degree perception, and the collection and processing of data for AI and world models.

To move beyond the hype, The Robot Report consulted industry experts to explore the future of bimanual manipulation and legged robots. We have also compiled a list of more than 200 verified humanoid robot providers, detailing their global locations, the types of systems they are working on, and whether their products are in development or commercially available.

At the 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo, a keynote session focused on the challenges and choices involved in bringing advanced systems to maturity, with lessons drawn from scaling in the automotive industry. The report also includes an interview with Jan Zizka, CEO of Brightpick, a leading provider of mobile manipulators. Zizka discusses how to integrate an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) with a manipulator arm and gripper, and the debate between specialized and general-purpose robotics.

Lattice Semiconductor examines the necessity of reliability and security in AI-enabled humanoid robots, particularly those in public-facing applications, and offers practical recommendations for hardware and software developers. Regarding human-machine interaction, Palm Garden AI shares its experiences training humanoid service robots, having built its Coherence Guard on hospitality and therapeutic experiences, and is developing a patented layer for social interaction guidance. On the skills front, Unidata outlines its method for egocentric data collection.

Download the report now via the form below to gain insights into where humanoids and mobile manipulators stand today and their future trajectory.