16,000 Humanoid Robots Now Working Alongside People

The age of working robots is no longer a distant dream. In 2025, companies around the world installed 16,000 humanoid robots in factories, warehouses, and research facilities, marking the official birth year of mass robot production.

China led the charge, accounting for more than 80% of all installations. A Shanghai startup called AgiBot, founded just two years earlier in 2023, became the surprise leader with over 30% of the market.

Unlike the experimental prototypes of 2024, these 2025 robots actually went to work. They moved boxes in warehouses, helped assemble products in factories, and assisted with data collection across multiple industries.

The robot revolution is moving fast. Counterpoint Research projects cumulative installations will exceed 100,000 units by 2027 as more companies scale up production and costs continue dropping.

Some robots are becoming surprisingly affordable. Noetix released a humanoid robot called Bumi for less than $1,600, designed primarily for interaction and mobility rather than heavy industrial work.

Companies are finding creative ways to make robots accessible. A rental market is emerging, especially in service sectors, allowing businesses to test robot workers without massive upfront investments.

The Ripple Effect

This robot boom is creating unexpected opportunities across the economy. Manufacturing costs are expected to drop significantly in 2026 and beyond as companies like Tesla and Figure AI build production lines that use robots to make more robots.

The copper industry is paying close attention. Each humanoid robot requires significant copper wiring, and projections ranging from tens of millions to over a billion robots by 2040 could create massive new demand for the critical metal.

Innovation is accelerating as five companies now compete seriously in the space: AgiBot, Unitree, UBTECH Robotics, Leju, and Tesla together captured 73% of the 2025 market. This competition drives better designs and lower prices, making the technology more accessible to businesses of all sizes.

The robots are tackling jobs that are dangerous, repetitive, or physically demanding, potentially making workplaces safer for human employees. As production scales and technology improves, these mechanical coworkers could handle the tasks humans would rather avoid.

The machines that seemed impossible just years ago are now clocking in for their shifts.