{
  "id": 8862490,
  "title": "Humanoid robot sales tally hit 7,000 globally last year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/humanoid-robot-sales-tally-hit-7-000-globally-last-year-8862490",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-21T06:28:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40440483/humanoid-robot-sales-tally-hit-7000-globally-last-year"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Last year, approximately 7,000 humanoid robots were sold globally for industrial and professional service purposes, according to data compiled by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). This modest figure stands in stark contrast to predictions of a forthcoming surge in the use of humanoid robots, particularly in China, which holds the title of the world's largest market for industrial robots. The IFR defines a robot as humanoid if it possesses a human-like appearance and operates independently within a human-centric environment. Legs are not a prerequisite for this classification. The IFR's figures provide a crucial industry-wide benchmark for a technology that is attracting substantial investments and showcasing remarkable demonstrations. However, these humanoid figures represent only a small fraction of the global robot population. Susanne Bieller, the secretary general of the IFR, explained that industrial robots totaled around 542,000 in 2024, while another estimated 199,000 service robots were sold for applications in transportation, hospitality, and cleaning services. The complete 2025 data for industrial and service robots is scheduled for release on September 24. Among the humanoid robots sold in 2025, many were procured by research institutions or businesses to gather data for enhancing AI models, rather than contributing to productive work. Major automakers are currently testing \"single-digit or sometimes double-digit numbers of robots\" in their production facilities. The IFR has been tracking robotics statistics for three decades and has recently started collecting data on humanoid robots for the first time in its records. Bank of America Global Research predicts that 90,000 humanoid robots will be shipped in 2025, with that number projected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030. The IFR's figures are derived from supplier and national industry association data and exclude consumer and military humanoid robots. Additionally, medical robots are classified separately from the industrial and service robot categories.",
  "summary": "AMSTERDAM: Around 7,000 humanoid robots were sold worldwide last year for industrial and professional service use, figures compiled by the International Federation of Robotics showed. The relatively small number contrasts with forecasts for a boom in the coming years, particularly in China, the world’s largest market for industrial robots, which last month showcased humanoid running and boxing at…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Humanoid robot sales hit 7,000 globally last year",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/humanoid-robot-sales-hit-7-000-globally-last-year",
        "published": "2026-09-21T05:07:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Humanoid robot sales tally hit 7,000 globally last year",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/humanoid-robot-sales-tally-hit-7-000-globally-last-year-8860245",
        "published": "2026-09-21T05:24:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Watch: Humanoid robot throws punches, kicks influencer across cage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/watch-humanoid-robot-throws-punches-kicks-influencer-across-cage",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:18:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}