The future of robotics is becoming increasingly tangible, with predictions that sound straight out of a science fiction novel. Bank of America estimates that by 2060 there will be 3 billion humanoids among us—65% in homes, 32% in services, and 3% in industry. Already, Japan is accelerating this transition with a service robot market projected to triple within five years, reaching $2.7 billion, driven by a labor shortage. It’s no coincidence that major restaurant chains like Skylark have already integrated thousands of robots into their establishments.
But beyond widespread adoption, there’s another interesting aspect: people trust humanoids more than non-anthropomorphic robots when it comes to safeguarding objects, personal data, children, or pets. According to U.S. researchers, this could influence the design of future generations of automata. Meanwhile, in Germany, biorobotic arms with artificial muscles are being tested to assist those suffering from tremors, while another group of scientists is developing new robotic grippers that consume 90% less energy.
From mobility to defense, robotics is redefining entire sectors. Chinese giant BYD, in collaboration with DJI, has unveiled a system that enables drones to take off directly from the company’s vehicles—an idea that could revolutionize logistics and rescue operations. Meanwhile, Aescape, specializing in AI-powered massage robots, has raised $83 million, reaching a total of $128 million. Even in the military sector, funding is abundant: Shield AI has secured $250 million to expand its Hivemind platform for autonomous drones and robots, bringing its valuation to $5.3 billion.
Robots are no longer a distant promise—they are a reality increasingly woven into our daily lives.
