10 Humanoid Robotic Companies to Look Out For

There is a definite allure in building a robot that looks like a person. Companies are investing in the technology, in part, because they believe they will one day bring a stronger ROI than specialized robots designed for specific tasks. How long it will be before humanoids become mainstream is anyone's guess. 

But the number of companies building humanoids is certainly growing. Last week, Tesla showed off Optimus, its humanoid robot. In August, Xiaomi showed off its humanoid, CyberOne. 

Some companies are farther along than other. Boston Dynamics' Atlas can do parkour tricks and dance, while Tesla's and Xiaomi's robots were  demoed just walking across a stage. 

It's a market worth paying attention to as developments in the space continue. The main draw of humanoids is that they could one day be commonly used in warehouses, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, and more. They are already being tested in some of those spaces.

The global market for humanoid robot is estimated to reach $9.74 billion by 2026, according to research firm Technavio.

Check out the slideshow on the right (bottom on mobile) of some of the top humanoid robotics compaines.