The Future of Humanoid Robots

Man-machine reloaded: Why the battle for humanoid robots is more than just a tech trend

Dear Readers,

Humanoid robots are no longer the stuff of science fiction—they are the new battleground for geopolitical power relations. While Elon Musk is making headlines with Optimus, companies such as Figure AI and Apptronik have long been working on a new concept of work: every robot as a fully-fledged “colleague.” In China, on the other hand, they are not dreaming, but scaling up – subsidized, efficient, and directly from Shenzhen.

What we are currently experiencing is nothing less than the dawn of a post-industrial economy. Morgan Stanley estimates the market potential at $4.7 trillion. But it's about more than money: whoever sets the standard for “physical AI” today will dictate the global rules for work, value creation, and social order tomorrow. The US is hesitating – China is marching forward.

The question is: do we want to watch or help shape the future?

In Today’s Issue:

All the best,

When machines suddenly start looking like us, the next tech race begins!

Humanoid robots are considered the next big revolution—and they have long since become a geopolitical battleground.

While Elon Musk is fueling the imagination with Optimus, an entire industry is taking shape: US companies such as Figure AI, Apptronik (with Google DeepMind), and Agility Robotics are raising billions to make AI-driven humanoid robots a reality. But China is catching up – with massive government funding, a local supply chain, and the goal of starting mass production in 2025.

Morgan Stanley predicts that humanoid robots could reach a market volume of $4.7 trillion by 2050. These machines are not only intended to work in factories and care facilities, but also to transform the labor market – each robot acting as an additional worker. China has a real advantage thanks to its proximity to hardware suppliers, cost advantages, and the Shenzhen factor. In the US, developers are now calling for a national robotics strategy.

This race will not only determine economic supremacy, but also who sets the rules for the “physical AI” of the future.

Why it matters:

Humanoid robots could fundamentally change our economy and society.

Those who invest and plan strategically today will define the global technology leadership of tomorrow.

Sources:

🔗 https://www.theinformation.com/articles/why-humanoid-robots-are-the-latest-front-in-americas-tech-war-with-china

🔗 https://www.reuters.com/world/china/nvidia-foxconn-talks-deploy-humanoid-robots-houston-ai-server-making-plant-2025-06-20/

🔗 https://www.marketwatch.com/story/300-million-humanoid-robots-are-coming-and-here-are-the-companies-that-will-benefit-04c36ae8

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This video documents the first complete ride in a fully autonomous Tesla Robotaxi, showcasing the vehicle navigating complex turns, traffic, and unexpected events on the streets of Austin from pickup to drop-off.

This video documents the first complete ride in a fully autonomous Tesla Robotaxi, showcasing the vehicle navigating complex turns, traffic, and unexpected events on the streets of Austin from pickup to drop-off.

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