Humanoid robot sales total 7,000 as forecasts point to rapid growth

About 7,000 humanoid robots were sold worldwide in 2025 for industrial and professional service applications, according to the International Federation of Robotics’ first industry-wide tally. The figure remains tiny compared with roughly 542,000 conventional industrial robots installed in 2024 and an estimated 199,000 service robots sold that year. Many humanoids were purchased by research institutions or companies to collect data for training artificial-intelligence systems rather than to perform productive work, while automakers are testing them in small pilot programs. Under the IFR’s definition, humanoids must have a human-like appearance and operate autonomously in environments designed for people, but they do not need legs. Despite limited current deployment, investment and forecasts point to rapid growth, with Bank of America Global Research projecting 90,000 shipments in 2026 and 1.2 million by 2030, particularly as China expands its role in the sector.