According to a research note from Barclays analysts, the widespread application of humanoid robots is unlikely to occur until after 2035.

The report notes that much of the current excitement surrounding humanoid robots reflects pre-programmed demonstrations, remotely controlled operations, or task-specific automation, rather than genuine general-purpose autonomy. To achieve true general-purpose autonomy, humanoid robots still require "perception, reasoning, and adaptive behavior."

The application of humanoid robots may ultimately follow a path similar to autonomous vehicles, which took more than a decade to develop. As a result, Barclays analysts estimate that the large-scale economic application of humanoid robots is more likely to occur closer to 2035 than 2030, with current uses primarily limited to controlled industrial settings.