Gartner says humanoid robots are not ready to play a major role in supply chain and manufacturing operations anytime soon.
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Through 2028, fewer than 100 companies are expected to move humanoid robots beyond early testing, and fewer than 20 will actually put them into live production environments, according to new research from Gartner. Even then, most of those deployments will be limited to tightly controlled settings, not fast-moving warehouses or factories.
Humanoid robots are designed to look and move like people, with arms, legs, sensors, and cameras. That human-like design has drawn interest from companies facing labor shortages and rising costs. But Gartner says the hype has moved far ahead of what the technology can realistically handle today.
“The promise of humanoid robots is compelling, but the reality is that the technology remains immature and far from meeting expectations for versatility and cost-effectiveness,” said Abdil Tunca, Senior Principal Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice. “CSCOs must carefully evaluate readiness and avoid overcommitting resources to solutions that cannot yet deliver on their potential.”
The research points to several reasons humanoid robots are struggling to move past pilot programs. Current models still fall short in handling mixed SKUs, unloading trailers, and managing exceptions in high-volume warehouses. Battery life is limited, integration with existing systems is difficult, and costs remain high. In many cases, humanoid robots cost several times as much as other robots while delivering lower throughput and uptime.
Instead, Gartner says polyfunctional robots are gaining ground in warehouses and distribution centers. These robots are not designed to look human. They are built to do specific jobs efficiently, often using wheels, arms, and sensors placed where they work best.
For example, a wheeled robot with a telescoping arm can move boxes, pick cases, scan inventory, and perform inspections using less energy and with higher uptime than a humanoid robot trying to do the same tasks. That focus on function over form makes polyfunctional robots a better fit for busy supply chain operations.
“Companies with a high risk appetite and focus on innovation are the best candidates for pursuing humanoid robots at present, given the unproven capabilities of these solutions, and related lack of clarity for return on investment,” said Caleb Thomson, Senior Director Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice. “For the majority of companies that will need to prioritize robots that maximize throughput-per-dollar invested, we expect polyfunctional robots to be the superior solution.”
