Robot industry split over that humanoid look
In fact, some of the biggest skeptics about human-shaped robots come from within the robotics industry itself.
Why it matters: Robots are meant to take over dirty, dangerous and dull tasks — not to replace humans, who are still the most sophisticated machines of all.
The big picture: Morgan Stanley believes there's a $4.7 trillion market for humanoids like Tesla's Optimus over the next 25 years — most of them in industrial settings, but also as companions or housekeepers for the wealthy.
Yes, but: The most productive — and profitable — bots are the ones that can do single tasks cheaply and efficiently.
"If you look at where robots are really bringing value in a manufacturing environment, it is combining industrial or collaborative robots with mobility," ABB Managing Director Ali Raja tells Axios.
"I don't see that there are any real practical applications where humanoids are bringing in a lot of value."
What they're saying:"The reason we have two legs is because whether Darwin or God or whoever made us, we have to figure out how to traverse an infinite number of things," like climbing a mountain or riding a bike, explains Michael Cicco, president and CEO of Fanuc America Corporation.
"When you get into the factory, even if it's a million things, it's still a finite number of things that you need to do."
Human-shaped robots are over-engineered solutions to most factory chores that could be better solved by putting a robot arm on a wheeled base, he said.
The other side: " The thing about humanoids is not that it's a human factor. It's that it's more dynamically stable," counters Melonee Wise, chief product officer at Agility Robotics, which is developing a humanoid robot called Digit.
When humans grab something heavy, they can shift their weight for better balance. The same is true for a humanoid, she said.
Using a robotic arm on a mobile base to pick up something heavy, "it's like I'm a little teapot and you become very unstable," she said, bending at the waist.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tesla Rival XPeng Deliveries Growth Accelerates To 103,181, Margins Expand
Chinese EV maker XPeng (NYSE:XPEV) reported its fiscal second-quarter results on Tuesday. The company reported quarterly sales growth of 125.3% year-on-year (Y/Y) to 18.27 billion Chinese yuan ($2.55 billion), topping the analyst consensus estimate of 17.92 billion Chinese yuan. The Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) rival's quarterly vehicle deliveries increased 241.6% Y/Y to 103,181, up 9.75% from 94,008 in the first physical sales network had 677 stores, covering 224 cities as of June 30, 2025. XPeng's self-operated charging station network reached 2,348 stations as of June 30, 2025, including 1,304 XPENG S4 and S5 ultra-fast charging stations. Revenues from vehicle sales increased 147.6% Y/Y to 16.88 billion Chinese yuan ($2.36 billion) due to higher deliveries. Gross margin was 17.3% versus 14.0% a year ago. Vehicle margin was 14.3% versus 6.4% a year ago, primarily attributable to the cost reduction and improvement in product mix of models. View more earnings on XPEV Operating loss for the quarter was 930 million Chinese yuan ($130 million). Adjusted net loss per ADS was 0.41 Chinese yuan versus the analyst consensus loss estimate of 1.06 Chinese yuan. In USD terms, the adjusted EPADS was a loss of 6 cents. The company held $6.64 billion in cash and equivalents as of June 30, 2025. Chairman and CEO Xiaopeng He said the company completed upgrades to its next-generation smart and electrification technology platforms. Vice Chairman and Co-President Hongdi Brian Gu noted that vehicle margin improved for eight consecutive quarters, climbing 3.8 percentage points sequentially to 14.3%, while overall gross margin reached a record 17.3%. Outlook XPENG projects third-quarter vehicle deliveries between 113,000 and 118,000 units, reflecting a surge of 142.8%-153.6% Y/Y. The company anticipates revenue of 19.6 billion Chinese yuan to 21.0 billion Chinese yuan, versus the analyst consensus estimate of 20.2 billion Chinese yuan. XPeng stock gained over 68% year-to-date despite intense rivalry from the likes of Tesla and Nio (NYSE:NIO). Price Action: XPEV stock is trading lower by 0.15% to $19.87 at last check Tuesday. Image via Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Tesla Rival XPeng Deliveries Growth Accelerates To 103,181, Margins Expand originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tesla Battles Nine Major Legal Action That Could Dent Musk's EV Empire
Tesla Battles Nine Major Legal Action That Could Dent Musk's EV Empire originally appeared on Autoblog. From Autopilot crash verdicts to right-to-repair fights, here's why Tesla's lawyers are burning rubber. Tesla's not just racing Porsche on Nürburgring leaderboards — it's in a different kind of endurance test. The company is defending itself on multiple legal tracks at once, with billions of dollars, regulatory approval, and investor confidence all at stake. From the $329 million Autopilot verdict in Florida to the class-action punches over its Robotaxi debut, here's Tesla's legal jeopardy scoreboard. And this is not exhaustive! The Legal Docket Case / Issue Summary Scale / Status Autopilot fatal crash verdict Florida jury orders $329M penalty after a 2019 crash on Autopilot. Historic first verdict tying Tesla to a third-party death. Robotaxi shareholder suit Investors claim safety misstatements inflated stock before Austin launch. Filed Aug 2025. Potential class-wide damages. California DMV false-marketing case DMV says 'Autopilot' label misled buyers; wants 30-day sales ban in CA. Hearing finished July 2025; ruling pending. DOJ criminal probe Federal inquiry into fraud over self-driving statements. Active; no public findings yet. Phantom-braking & other consumer suits Class actions over sudden braking, range claims, warranties. Multiple cases alive in federal courts. Workplace bias & harassment Racial harassment and retaliation claims from staff and ex-HR pros. Ongoing litigation; some large settlements reduced on retrial. Right-to-repair antitrust actions Owners say Tesla locks out independent repairs and parts. Two claims advancing under CA law. Whistleblower solar-fire claims Alleged retaliation for reporting defective solar products. SEC probe continues. Odometer manipulation lawsuit Plaintiffs say Tesla inflated odometer readings to void warranties early. Class action in California; could affect over 1M vehicles Why It Matters to the Car World The Autopilot crash verdict is more than a legal loss—it's the first time a jury has said Tesla shares blame for a death tied to its driver-assist tech. If you're a fan of steering feel, suspension compliance, or road feedback, think about this: every Autopilot failure is also a reminder of what gets lost when software makes decisions instead of the driver's hands and seat-of-the-pants instinct. The Robotaxi lawsuit strikes at Tesla's hype machine. For enthusiasts, the appeal of a Tesla has always been the combination of instant torque, low center of gravity, and that clean cabin feel. If investors win on claims that autonomy was oversold, the company might shift resources away from chassis refinement and long-trip comfort to pay for settlements. The Bigger Picture Competitors like Porsche and Mercedes are pushing adaptive driver-assist systems, but they've avoided Tesla's courtroom exposure by framing them as aids, not chauffeurs. Tesla's choice to market 'Full Self-Driving' as near-human has put it in the crosshairs. A California sales ban, even for a month, would hit Tesla where it's most entrenched. And right-to-repair lawsuits? They speak directly to gearheads who like tinkering—Tesla's lockouts run counter to the American garage culture. Bottom Line Tesla's legal troubles aren't background noise—they're part of the main act now. The company is still quick off the line in EV performance, but the track ahead is lined with subpoenas, regulatory hurdles, and shareholder fury. If you care about the cars themselves, watch these cases. They'll shape not just the brand's balance sheet, but how much control you have over the car in your driveway. Tesla Battles Nine Major Legal Action That Could Dent Musk's EV Empire first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 17, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Recent lawsuits put Tesla's self-driving technology on trial
This spring, Elon Musk announced he was leaving his role at the White House to refocus on Tesla amid falling vehicle sales and a brand reputation crisis. But as Musk works to turn Tesla around with a successful robotaxi venture, recent lawsuits have complicated his efforts and raised questions about the company's self-driving technology. Last month, the California Department of Motor Vehicles sued the company, alleging false advertising about its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving features and seeking to suspend sales of Teslas in the state. More bad news came this month when a Miami jury ruled that Tesla was partly responsible for a fatal crash involving its Autopilot system and must pay the victims $240 million. Though Tesla has previously faced similar suits, this one was the first to reach a jury verdict and not be settled out of court. The case could open the door to further claims against the company, experts said. 'If and when the dam breaks, and they get held liable, Tesla could be in a lot of financial trouble,' said Carnegie Mellon University engineering professor Raj Rajkumar, who specializes in autonomous driving. Meanwhile, Tesla shareholders have been growing restless. A few days after the Miami verdict, a shareholder lawsuit accused Musk of inflating the company's stock by exaggerating the readiness of its robotaxi program, which launched this summer in Austin, Texas, where the company is headquartered. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment. Though some investors and bullish analysts maintain that Musk will eventually deliver on his promises, the cases have renewed questions about the tech mogul's credibility and whether he can perfect a technology that is key to the company's future. 'In Austin, the cars were clearly not as capable as Musk was claiming,' analyst Karl Brauer said. 'If he can't get the robotaxi working relatively quickly, it's going to be a problem for him.' The scrutiny comes at a pivotal moment for Tesla, which has seen shares fall nearly 12% since January and automotive revenues drop 16% in the second quarter from a year earlier. The company has been hindered by rising competition from rivals and brand damage triggered by Musk's role in the Trump administration. In Florida in 2019, George McGee had his Model S in Autopilot mode when the vehicle ran off the road and failed to stop before striking a young couple out stargazing. The crash killed 22-year-old Naibel Benavides Leon and seriously injured her boyfriend. McGee had been distracted by his cellphone and put too much trust in the Autopilot system to safely drive the car, he said. Evidence presented at trial showed that McGee was not engaged in driving for at least 20 seconds before the crash. This month, the Miami jury found Tesla partly responsible for the accident, concluding that Tesla and Musk misled consumers about the capabilities of Autopilot. 'Years prior to this accident, Elon was in the public eye saying that this technology is safer than a human driver,' prosecuting attorney Doug Eaton said in an interview. 'The consumer expectation is based on the manner in which the car is marketed. Elon sold a car that didn't exist.' McGee was overly reliant on Autopilot to avoid disaster because of false claims Musk has made about the technology, some dating back a decade, attorneys argued in the trial. Speaking at an artificial intelligence conference in 2015, Musk said he viewed autonomous driving as a 'solved problem.' Despite those claims, Autopilot is classified as a driver assistance system, not a self-driving system. It cannot be used without the supervision of a human driver. 'The ordinary consumer expected this system to do a lot more than it could or did do, because of the way that Tesla marketed this technology and the way Elon Musk spoke about this technology,' said Adam Boumel, another attorney representing the victims. In a statement, Tesla said that the verdict was wrong and that the vehicle was not to blame because the driver 'admitted and accepted responsibility' for the accident. The most recent lawsuit filed against Musk by Tesla shareholders specifically concerns the robotaxis in Austin, which rely on technology derived from Autopilot. Filed in Texas by Denise Morand and on behalf of other shareholders on Aug. 4, the suit accuses Tesla and Musk of making 'materially false and misleading statements regarding the company's business, operations, and prospects.' Tesla Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja and his predecessor Zachary Kirkhorn are also listed as defendants. 'Tesla overstated the effectiveness of its autonomous driving technology' and downplayed the risk that the robotaxi would operate dangerously, the complaint said. 'Accordingly, Tesla's business and/or financial prospects were overstated.' Tesla's robotaxi rollout in Austin has been riddled with glitches, including instances of the vehicles violating traffic laws and even driving into oncoming traffic. For his part, Musk has dismissed the shareholder claims. He responded to the lawsuit on X, saying it was likely not filed by real investors but by class-action lawyers 'grifting for their percentage of the verdict.' Investors should know by now that Musk often makes ambitious and unrealistic claims, said William Riggs, director of the Autonomous Vehicles and the City Initiative at the University of San Francisco. But the world's richest man has also made leaps forward in vehicle electrification, space exploration and other frontiers, and can't be underestimated. 'He does these kinds of aggressive, radical things,' Riggs said of Musk. 'Sometimes, he surprises us all.' The recent litigation has shined a light on both the perils and potential of Tesla's autonomous driving technology. Tesla has rolled out multiple systems using versions of its self-driving tech, including Autopilot and a purportedly more advanced Full Self-Driving mode. It's unclear whether Full Self-Driving is powering the robotaxis in Austin, or whether it will be used in Musk's promised Cybercab. According to engineers, Tesla's technology qualifies as Level 2 automation, based on a five-level scale established by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. At Level 2, the driver is fully responsible for controlling the vehicle while receiving continuous automated assistance in steering, acceleration and braking. Tesla's robotaxis in Austin are not permitted to operate without a safety driver in the front passenger seat who can stop the vehicle in case of emergency. 'The quality of the performance of the vehicle is not that great,' Riggs said. 'It'll be a while before the performance level gets to the performance level of a Waymo or even that of a Cruise,' he said. Cruise, General Motors' robotaxi effort, suspended all operations in 2023 after one of its vehicles struck a pedestrian in San Francisco and dragged her 20 feet. Riggs predicted it could take two to five years for Tesla to launch a safe fleet of self-drivng taxis, though Musk has indicated that it's right around the corner. Tesla's autonomous technology is behind those of its rivals partly because Musk wants to forgo expensive hardware used in other self-driving cars, said Rajkumar, of Carnegie Mellon University. Waymo vehicles are built with a type of laser radar called lidar, as well as cameras, sonar and GPS. Musk is taking a software-based approach reliant on cameras and artificial intelligence alone. 'We know that AI is not perfect,' Rajkumar said. 'When you have an imperfect system on which people's lives depend, things will go wrong.'
