Humanoid robots set to become next household technology after smartphones

Massive investment in physical AI is driving humanoid robots toward becoming the next universal consumer device. Funding worldwide for robotics is projected to rise from $4 billion in 2019 to $26 billion by 2025, with major players such as Nvidia, Tesla, OpenAI, Meta and others placing robotics at the core of their strategies. China, the United States and South Korea lead the race, accounting for the majority of shipments; Reuters reports that about 90 % of global humanoid robot exports in 2025 will come from Chinese manufacturers. Prototype home units from Tesla, 1X and Unitree could appear as early as 2026‑2027, while broader consumer availability is expected between 2030 and 2035, at price points of roughly $13 000‑$16 000.

Chinese EV maker BYD, the world’s largest seller of electric and hybrid cars, announced plans to develop its own humanoid robots, leveraging its automotive software expertise. BYD’s vice‑president Stella Li said the company will build an open robotics platform and eventually sell the bots through its dealerships and into households. The move adds another heavyweight to the Sino‑American rivalry in robotics, contrasting Tesla’s closed‑system approach with BYD’s open‑platform strategy. Although commercial use cases remain unproven, the sector’s rapid industrial scaling and cross‑border competition suggest significant future impact on domestic assistance, logistics and senior care.