On September 27, 2025, amid the rapid expansion of the global humanoid robot market, a well - known robotics expert, Rodney Brooks, has issued a stark warning. He claims that the humanoid robot sector is on the verge of a bubble burst, and investors are squandering billions of dollars on related startups.

Brooks is especially doubtful about the strategies employed by companies like Tesla and Figure. These firms attempt to train robots' dexterous manipulation skills by showing them videos of humans carrying out tasks. In Brooks' view, this is nothing but "wishful thinking."

He highlights several significant hurdles that current technology faces. Firstly, the intricate structure of human hands makes it extremely challenging to replicate their functionality in robots. Secondly, there's a severe lack of tactile data, which is crucial for precise manipulation. Moreover, full - sized humanoid robots that maintain an upright stance consume a large amount of energy and are prone to falling, posing both safety and efficiency risks.

Looking ahead, Brooks predicts that the humanoid - like robots that will achieve success in the future will be equipped with wheels and multiple arms, rather than sporting a humanoid form.