Can Humanoid Robots be the next big thing after AI?

Hold onto your hats - the robot revolution just got fast-tracked. Goldman Sachs dropped some mind-blowing numbers: they're now saying the humanoid robot market will rocket from $6 billion in 2023 to an incredible $38 billion by 2035.

And this isn't just pie-in-the-sky thinking - we're talking real growth backed by AI breakthroughs, plummeting costs, and industries practically begging for solutions.

• Shipments: These numbers will make your jaw drop - by 2035, we're expecting 1.4 million robot units out in the wild, completely crushing the original forecast of 350,000.
  
  Think about that: four times more robots than we initially thought would be working alongside us.
  

• Production Costs: Now this is where it gets juicy - the price tag for building these high-end robots took a nosedive, falling 40% in just one year.
  
  We went from $250,000 in 2022 to $150,000 in 2023. Suddenly, that robot worker doesn't sound so far-fetched for your average business's budget.
  

• Industrial Penetration: Better get used to having some pretty unique coworkers - these robots are set to take over 10-15% of tasks in risky industries and car manufacturing.
  
  Let's face it, some jobs are just too dangerous or hard to fill, and that's where our mechanical friends come in.

Here's the kicker: this whole timeline is shifting into overdrive. Factories are jumping on board a year earlier than planned (2024-2027), and regular folks might be interacting with these robots 2-4 years sooner than anyone thought (2028-2031).

The future? It's not waiting around anymore.

How Technological Breakthroughs Are Making Robots Smarter and Cheaper

End-to-End AI Systems: Remember how old robots needed step-by-step instructions for everything? Well, the new kids on the block can think for themselves.

These AI-powered systems are like giving robots a brain instead of just an instruction manual - they can figure things out on their own and adapt on the fly.

Just look at Tesla's Optimus Gen 2: they cranked out a new version in just 9 months after Gen 1, while companies like Boston Dynamics typically take way longer with their Atlas robot. That's like going from iPhone 14 to 15 while others are still working on bug fixes.

Next-Level Robots: Google's RT-2 is taking things even further. Imagine a robot that can not only understand what you're saying but also see what's going on and figure out how to move accordingly. It's like having a personal assistant who can actually see, understand, and do things in the real world.

Cost Efficiencies:

The Price Tag is Shrinking (2022-2023): 

• Want a top-of-the-line robot? The price dropped from $250,000 to $150,000. Still not cheap, but we're getting there.

• Looking for something more basic? The starter models went from $50,000 to $30,000 - that's like getting a 40% off coupon on everything.

Can Robots Solve the Biggest Workforce Challenges of Our Time?

Humanoid robots aren't just cool tech anymore - they're shaping up to be a real game-changer for some of our biggest workplace challenges, especially where safety is a major concern.

Dangerous and Hazardous Jobs

Global Fatality Rates (2021):

• U.S. fatal work injury rate: 3.5 per 100k workers (~5,000 fatalities annually).

• U.S. coal mining fatality rate: 16.2 per 100k FTEs; in China, fatalities are 0.04 per million tons of coal produced.

Projected Robot Demand (2035):

Using substitution rates of 5%, 10%, and 15% for hazardous roles, demand for humanoid robots could range between 1.1 million to 3.5 million units globally.

• Auto manufacturing: 645,000 units (15% substitution).

• Coal mining: 1.15 million units.

• Disaster rescue and nuclear reactor maintenance: 295,000 units.

Manufacturing Sector

Automation Gaps in China (2023):

• 70% of manufacturing tasks are automated.

• 20% rely on manual labour, highlighting significant room for humanoid robot adoption.

Robots are expected to automate dynamic and complex tasks like EV assembly and chemical plant operations, further bridging the automation gap.

Some Startup Ideas in this space that will blow up in 2025:

Robot Leasing Marketplace

Robot Content Marketplace

Robot Insurance Packages

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for the next edition, where we’ll dive into more complex insights and uncover fresh investment and startup opportunities to keep you ahead of the curve.

Read the Full Report here:

Maybe you missed out on these?