Tesla
Optimus
Humanoid
Tesla's general-purpose humanoid, built on the same AI and manufacturing expertise behind its vehicles. Aimed squarely at repetitive factory, warehouse and logistics work.
tesla.comVisit Tesla's website (opens in a new tab)The manufacturer landscape
From humanoid startups to century-old industrial giants — these are the companies building the machines that will change how work gets done. We track all of them. We're tied to none of them.
Why this page exists
We are completely independent of every manufacturer on this page. We don't build robots, we don't resell them, and we don't take commissions from anyone who does.
No commissions
Our only income is the work we do for you. No manufacturer pays us, so no manufacturer can steer our advice.
All manufacturers considered
When we recommend a route, it comes from your processes and economics — not from a catalogue or a partner deal.
Neutral by design
If the right answer is that you shouldn't automate something yet, that's the answer you'll get.
The next wave · 8 makers
Human-shaped machines built to work in spaces designed for people. The fastest-moving — and most hyped — corner of robotics. We separate the working reality from the demo videos.
Optimus
Humanoid
Tesla's general-purpose humanoid, built on the same AI and manufacturing expertise behind its vehicles. Aimed squarely at repetitive factory, warehouse and logistics work.
tesla.comVisit Tesla's website (opens in a new tab)Figure 03
Humanoid
One of the best-funded humanoid startups, now moving its robots from demonstration into commercial pilot programmes in logistics and manufacturing.
figure.aiVisit Figure AI's website (opens in a new tab)Atlas · Spot
Humanoid · Mobile
The world's most famous robotics lab. Spot, the quadruped, patrols and inspects sites today; the all-electric Atlas is its move into human-scale work.
bostondynamics.comVisit Boston Dynamics's website (opens in a new tab)Digit
Humanoid
Digit was designed from the ground up for one environment: the warehouse. Moving totes and handling materials — the first humanoid built around a real job.
agilityrobotics.comVisit Agility Robotics's website (opens in a new tab)Apollo
Humanoid
Austin-based maker of Apollo, a modular humanoid built to swap attachments for different tasks, with pilots underway in logistics and manufacturing.
apptronik.comVisit Apptronik's website (opens in a new tab)NEO · EVE
Humanoid
Maker of EVE and NEO — humanoids aimed at security and logistics today, and at home and service work as the technology matures.
1x.techVisit 1X Technologies's website (opens in a new tab)G1 · H1
Humanoid · Quadruped
Chinese manufacturer whose aggressive pricing has opened humanoid and quadruped robotics to universities, labs and businesses that could never afford them before.
unitree.comVisit Unitree's website (opens in a new tab)Phoenix
Humanoid
Vancouver-based maker of Phoenix, focused on dexterity — robots that can do fine, human-style manipulation rather than just lift and carry.
sanctuary.aiVisit Sanctuary AI's website (opens in a new tab)Proven at scale · 6 makers
Arms, cobots and mobile robots that already run factories and warehouses around the world. For most businesses today, these deliver the returns humanoids are still chasing.
Factory automation
Industrial arms
The world's largest industrial robot maker. Its yellow arms have run automotive, electronics and food production lines at scale for decades.
fanuc.comVisit FANUC's website (opens in a new tab)Arms & AMRs
Industrial · Mobile
Global engineering group supplying industrial arms, collaborative robots and autonomous mobile robots across manufacturing, logistics and healthcare.
abb.comVisit ABB Robotics's website (opens in a new tab)Production robotics
Industrial arms
German engineering heavyweight whose robots anchor automotive and heavy-industry production lines worldwide.
kuka.comVisit KUKA's website (opens in a new tab)Motoman
Industrial arms
One of the oldest robot manufacturers in the world. Its Motoman arms cover welding, palletising, handling and assembly across every major industry.
yaskawa.comVisit Yaskawa's website (opens in a new tab)Cobots
Collaborative
The Danish company that made collaborative robots — cobots — a mainstream category, bringing automation within reach of smaller businesses without cages or guards.
universal-robots.comVisit Universal Robots's website (opens in a new tab)LocusBots
Warehouse · Mobile
Autonomous mobile robots that travel alongside warehouse pickers — the established model for boosting picking productivity without rebuilding the building.
locusrobotics.comVisit Locus Robotics's website (opens in a new tab)The audit
The audit identifies where automation pays off in your operation, then specifies what kind of machine fits — and which manufacturers are credible candidates to deliver it.
The shortlist
Because we're independent, you see the trade-offs between manufacturers honestly — including the option of waiting until the technology and the economics are truly ready.
All product names, logos and brands are the property of their respective owners. Manufacturers are listed for information only — listing does not imply endorsement, partnership or any commercial relationship.
Not sure which — if any — of these fits your business? Find out first.