Robots that resemble humans are getting a lot of attention—and for good reason.

Major companies like Amazon and GXO Logistics are already testing humanoid robots in their warehouses as they explore innovative ways to improve efficiency and address labor shortages.

Humanoid Robots Enter the Logistics Game

GXO Logistics, a major e-commerce logistics firm, is testing humanoids from three different companies:

• Agility Robotics
• Reflex Robotics
• Apptronik

These humanoids are being trained to complete specific tasks like moving heavy containers and interacting with warehouse systems. Adrian Stoch, GXO’s Chief Automation Officer, told Business Insider, “We are going really broad and aggressive on the category. It's because of where we see this going.”

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Why Robots? Why Now?

The surge in humanoid robot deployment is fueled by a few key factors:

• Growing labor shortages
• Increased investment in automation
• Advancements in AI and robotics tech

These robots, such as Digit by Agility Robotics, are built to handle physical tasks like lifting, carrying, and walking—all valuable traits in a warehouse environment.

Digit is currently at work in a GXO-operated Spanx warehouse in Atlanta, where it moves boxes from 6 River Systems robots to a conveyor belt.

Limitations of Today’s Robots

Despite the hype, humanoid robots still face limitations:

• Cost: Many units cost tens of thousands of dollars.
• Complexity: The AI and hardware are still developing.
• Limited deployment: GXO, for instance, operates over 1,000 warehouses but only has two Digit robots in use.

Benjamin Lawrence, a senior lead analyst at CB Insights, noted, “A lot of factories and warehouses are very similar, so you can set up replicating tasks much more easily.”

Not Quite a Robot Takeover—Yet

Experts say humanoids aren’t taking over just yet. “We're not at wide-scale deployment and commercial viability yet, but we're not 10 years away, that's for sure,” Stoch said.

There are already more affordable robot models coming from Chinese manufacturers like Unitree, hinting at broader adoption in the near future.

Robots vs. Specialized Automation

Analysts caution that a humanoid robot might not always be the best tool. Paul Miller, an analyst at Forrester, explained, “There are very few use cases where the best robotic form is something that looks like you.” Instead, he said tasks might be better split among:

• Software
• Robotic arms
• Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)
• Automated guided vehicles (AGVs)

Big Tech’s Big Bet on Robots

Investment in robotic tech is booming. According to CB Insights, companies making humanoid robots raised $1.2 billion in 2024, with forecasts pointing to $3 billion in funding this year.

Elon Musk’s Tesla aims to roll out useful Optimus humanoid robots internally in 2025, with a broader release expected in 2026 at a price point of $20,000 to $30,000.