CES 2025: Humanoid Robots Take Center Stage,with Apptronik’s Apollo Stealing the Show
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 has proven to be a pivotal moment for humanoid robotics,with major players showcasing their latest innovations. Among the highlights was the return of Agility’s digit, a bipedal robot that first debuted at CES 2020 as part of Ford’s showcase. This year, Digit appeared alongside a miniature conveyor belt at a closed-access NVIDIA booth, signaling its continued evolution in industrial applications.
Though, the spotlight wasn’t solely on Digit. Apptronik’s Apollo humanoid robot emerged as a standout, making its first in-person appearance at the event. The Austin-based company’s creation, which utilizes modules from Texas Instruments, has been turning heads since its initial reveal in 2023. When TechCrunch first shared footage of Apollo, many questioned whether it was an animated render due to its strikingly unique design.
“There’s something otherworldly about the robot,” noted one observer. Unlike its competitors, which frequently enough lean into dark, sterile, or even apocalyptic aesthetics, Apollo is radiant and almost cartoony. its design features a pair of large eyes and a head shape reminiscent of early iMacs, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
| Key Highlights of CES 2025 Humanoid Robots |
|———————————————–|
| Agility’s Digit | Returned with a focus on industrial applications, showcased alongside a conveyor belt at NVIDIA’s booth.|
| apptronik’s Apollo | Made its first in-person appearance, featuring a unique, friendly design and smooth movements. |
| Industrial Focus | Both robots are designed for factory work, with Apollo already in pilot programs with Mercedes. |
Apollo’s movements were impressively smooth during its demonstration, and the robot even played to the camera, showcasing its charm. Though, it’s crucial to note that this was a limited pick-and-place demo, not the fully autonomous version slated for factory deployment.
Apptronik has already begun factory pilots with Mercedes, following similar partnerships between Figure and BMW and agility and Amazon. These collaborations underscore the growing role of humanoid robots in industrial settings,where their ability to perform repetitive tasks with precision is highly valued.
As CES 2025 wraps up, it’s clear that humanoid robots are no longer just a futuristic concept—they’re becoming a tangible part of our industrial landscape. With designs like Apollo breaking away from the norm, the future of robotics looks not onyl functional but also approachable and engaging.
For more insights into the latest advancements in robotics, check out the full coverage of CES 2025 and the groundbreaking work being done by companies like Apptronik and Agility Robotics.
CES 2025: Humanoid Robots Revolutionize Industry – A Conversation with Robotics Expert Dr. Emily Carter
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The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 marked a turning point for humanoid robotics, with groundbreaking innovations taking center stage. From Agility Robotics’ Digit to Apptronik’s Apollo, these robots are reshaping industrial applications with their advanced capabilities and unique designs. to delve deeper into this transformative moment, we sat down with Dr. Emily Carter, a leading robotics specialist and professor at MIT, to discuss the highlights of CES 2025 and the future of humanoid robots in industry.
The Rise of Humanoid Robots at CES 2025
Senior Editor: Dr. Carter, CES 2025 showcased some unbelievable advancements in humanoid robotics. What stood out to you the most about this year’s event?
Dr. Emily Carter: Absolutely, it was an exciting year for robotics. What really stood out to me was the shift from conceptual designs to practical,industrial applications. Agility Robotics’ Digit, for example, has evolved substantially as its debut in 2020. This year, it was showcased alongside a conveyor belt at NVIDIA’s booth, highlighting its potential in factory settings. It’s clear that these robots are no longer just prototypes—they’re being integrated into real-world workflows.
Apptronik’s Apollo: A Game-Changer in Design and Functionality
Senior Editor: Apptronik’s Apollo seemed to steal the show with its unique design and smooth movements. What makes Apollo so different from other humanoid robots?
Dr. Emily Carter: Apollo is truly a standout. Its design is refreshingly approachable, with large, expressive eyes and a head shape that evokes nostalgia, almost like early iMacs. This is a stark contrast to the darker, more sterile aesthetics we frequently enough see in robotics. Beyond its appearance, Apollo’s movements are incredibly fluid, which is a testament to the advanced engineering behind it. While the demo at CES was a limited pick-and-place task,it showcased the robot’s potential for more complex industrial applications.
The Role of Humanoid Robots in Industrial Settings
Senior Editor: Both Digit and Apollo are being developed for factory work. How do you see humanoid robots transforming industrial environments?
Dr. Emily Carter: Humanoid robots are ideally suited for tasks that require precision and repetition,which are common in manufacturing. for instance,Apptronik has already begun pilot programs with Mercedes,and Agility robotics has partnered with Amazon. These collaborations demonstrate the growing confidence in robots to handle tasks like material handling and assembly. The ability to integrate seamlessly into existing workflows is a game-changer, and it’s only going to expand as the technology matures.
Breaking the Mold: The Importance of Approachable Design
Senior Editor: Apollo’s friendly, almost cartoony design seems to challenge the customary aesthetics of robotics. Why is this significant?
Dr. Emily Carter: Design plays a crucial role in how humans interact with robots. A friendly,approachable design helps bridge the gap between humans and machines,making it easier for people to accept and work alongside them. Apollo’s design is a great example of this—it’s not just functional; it’s engaging. This is especially important in industrial settings, were robots need to collaborate closely with human workers. A design that evokes warmth and familiarity can make that collaboration more intuitive and effective.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Humanoid Robotics
Senior Editor: as CES 2025 wraps up, what do you see as the next big step for humanoid robotics?
Dr.Emily Carter: The next step is autonomy. While the robots showcased at CES were remarkable, many are still in the early stages of development. The goal is to create fully autonomous systems that can adapt to dynamic environments and perform a wide range of tasks without human intervention. We’re also likely to see more partnerships between robotics companies and major industries, as we’ve already seen with Apptronik and Mercedes. These collaborations will drive innovation and help bring humanoid robots into mainstream industrial use.
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for sharing your insights.It’s clear that humanoid robotics is entering an exciting new era, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you! It’s an exciting time for the field, and I’m looking forward to seeing how these technologies continue to evolve.
