How Close Are We to Having Helpful, Everyday Robots?
Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) have come a long way in 2025. Thanks to new learning techniques, today’s robots are picking up skills faster than ever. This opens the door to exciting changes—both in industries like manufacturing and logistics, and in our homes.
But just how close are we to having robots that can do useful human tasks—and do them affordably?
What Makes a Robot Useful?
When we consider what makes a robot useful here are some important charactertistics that we should consider:
| Criteria | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Degrees of Freedom | How many ways can the robot move its arms, hands, and body? |
| Battery Life | How long can it work on a single charge? |
| Load Capacity | How much weight can it lift or carry? What kind of tasks can it perform? |
| Learning Style | Does it learn from humans, through experience, or in simulations? |
| Connectivity | Does it need to stay connected to the internet, or can it work on its own? |
| Sensors | How does it “see,” hear, or sense the world around it? |
| Affordability | Is it priced for companies, researchers, or eventually home use? |
| Maintenance | Can it be easily upgraded or repaired? Is it built to last? |
Examples of Current Robots
July 2024 – Atlas by Boston Dynamics: This robot uses machine learning and upgraded sensors to perform sorting tasks in a simulated factory environment. It can react to environmental feedback in real-time and perform complex tasks autonomously.
May 2025 – Ameca by Engineered Arts: Ameca is designed to be modular and upgradable in both hardware and software. It utilizes embedded microphones, binocular IM mounted cameras, a chest camera, and facial recognition software. It can understand and respond to questions, tell jokes, mimic voices, dance, and hold engaging conversations. Generation 3 was showcased at ICRA 2025.
June 2024 – Optimus by Tesla: Powered by the AI4 chip used in Tesla’s FSD, Optimus is designed to interact with the world using an AI-trained brain. The commercial version will likely be powered by the AI5 chip, allowing it to perform a wider range of tasks from manufacturing to domestic assistance.
Figure 02 by Figure AI: This robot features a sleeker design with integrated cabling in its limbs, a 50% increase in battery capacity, and enhanced computing power. It is equipped with six RGB cameras and an onboard vision language model.
G1 by Unitree Robotics: The G1 model is designed for mass production and features a visor-like face, three-digit hands, and improved performance. Designed for research, development, and education, with 41-43 degrees of freedom, capable of walking, running, and jumping. It weighs about 35 kg.
S1 by Astrobot: This AI-powered humanoid robot is known for its speed and precision. It is designed to perform tasks like moving, sorting, and quality inspection.
Phoenix by Sanctuary AI: The seventh generation of Phoenix is designed with improved capabilities, including the ability to learn tasks faster and perform in-hand manipulation.
Neoa by 1X: Neoa is a friendly and advanced humanoid robot designed to assist at home and provide companionship.
Alex by Boardwalk Robotics: Alex is designed without legs to be more cost-effective and is ideal for tasks like sorting items, cleaning products, and fulfilling maintenance duties.
HMN 01 by London-based Humanoid: This robot features advanced motor control and hand-eye coordination, making it suitable for various industrial settings.
Xpeng Iron: Designed for industrial and service applications, with 60 degrees of freedom. It stands 1.73 m tall and weighs around 70 kg. It can lift 15 kg loads.
Magic Bot: Designed for industrial and service applications, with 42 degrees of freedom. Each arm can lift up to 20 kg. Operates up to 5 hours on a single charge.
Pudu D9: A service robot with 42 degrees of freedom. It weighs 65 kg and each arm has a payload capacity exceeding 20 kg.
- Kepler 4Runner K2: Designed for industrial and commercial applications, with 52 degrees of freedom. Each hand can carry 15 kg.
Astribot S1: A home assistant with 7 degrees of freedom per arm, capable of performing household tasks. Its arms can lift up to 10 kg each.
Summary of top 3 Robots
Looking hard to find published data on a lot of the robots in this article, but here is information on three of the most popular ones.
| Robot | Atlas (Boston Dynamics) | Ameca (Engineered Arts) | Optimus (Tesla) |
| Degrees of Freedom / Movement & Manipulation | ~28 DOF total; fine-motor hands; highly agile, parkour-capable | Articulated motorized arms, fingers, neck, facial features; built for lifelike interaction | ~28 structural actuators across body; hands with 11 DOF & up to 27 DOF in arms |
| Battery Life / Power | Fully electric (new 2024 model), battery-powered; extended operational hours | Not publicly disclosed | 2.3 kWh battery pack; estimated to run up to a full day; Gen‑2 & Gen‑3 promise ~40% battery improvement |
| Load Capacity / Use Cases | Mobile manipulation complex objects; ideal for search & rescue, industrial automation, assembly tasks | Primarily human‑robot interaction, demo, customer service, museum installations | Carries ~45 lb (20 kg), deadlifts ~150 lb (68 kg); targets factory work, logistics, home assistance |
| Training / Learning Models | Uses advanced reinforcement learning, vision systems; real-time motion planning | Tele‑presence or OpenAI GPT‑3; human‑controlled & AI-powered | Training via tele‑operation data collection and neural‑net learning; uses Tesla FSD tech adapted |
| Connectivity / Autonomy | Autonomous in structured tasks; integrates with fleet management platform | Requires connection; tele‑operated by human or AI backend | Autonomous navigation using onboard cameras & FSD computer; Wi‑Fi & LTE for updates/control |
| Sensors / Awareness | LiDAR, stereo vision, depth cameras, IMUs, joint encoders | Binocular cameras, chest camera, microphones for interaction & recognition | 8 autopilot cameras, tactile sensors in fingers, foot force sensors, proximity sensors |
| Affordability | Likely high cost (~USD 140K+) for industrial clients | Boutique pricing—targeted at institutions, not consumers (exact cost undisclosed) | Projected $20–30K at scale (future goal), prototyping cost likely much higher ($150K est) |
| Maintenance / Upgrades | Upgraded via software, new gripper modules, machine learning updates | Upgraded via Engineered Arts’ proprietary Tritium OS and TinMan telepresence platform | Software updates over the air; hardware improvements across generations; high compute-based main |
Final Thoughts
We’re not quite at the point where every home or business has a robot helper—but we’re getting closer. Each year, improvements in AI, sensors, and training bring us one step nearer to that future.
While many robots today are still in testing or built for demonstration, the path toward useful, affordable, everyday robots is becoming clearer.
If you’re curious about where AI and robotics are going next, these humanoid machines are a great place to start watching.