Humanoid robots face scrutiny over productivity and reliability

As technology companies invest billions into humanoid robots designed for physical labor, questions remain regarding their actual cost-effectiveness and reliability compared to human workers. While a humanoid robot like the 4NE-1 from NEURA Robotics costs approximately 98,000 euros, its purchase price does not account for the critical metric of productive hourly output.

Reliability concerns were highlighted when a robot powered by Qualcomm chips fell during a demonstration at the Computex fair in Taipei. Although Qualcomm stated the safety systems functioned as intended, the incident underscores the lack of public data regarding how humanoid robots perform during long-term operation in real-world industrial environments.

Despite these uncertainties, major investors including Amazon, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Bosch, and the European Investment Bank have backed NEURA Robotics. The industry continues to see rapid growth in investment, even as the practical evidence of robotic productivity in factories and warehouses lags behind.