Are humanoid robots close to replacing human workers?

No, researchers say humanoid robots are still years away from replacing large numbers of workers. While robots can handle repetitive tasks effectively, they continue to struggle with changing environments, unexpected situations and complex decision-making.

Why are people discussing job replacement by robots now?

The debate intensified after AI robotics company Figure released videos showing humanoid robots cleaning rooms and sorting packages for nine consecutive days. These demonstrations raised questions about how quickly robots could begin taking over human jobs.

Which jobs are most at risk from robots and AI?

According to robotics researchers, repetitive physical jobs in structured environments are currently the most vulnerable to robots. Administrative, document-processing and some information-based tasks are also increasingly being affected by AI software.

Why can't humanoid robots replace most workers yet?

Researchers say robots still face challenges involving reliability, safety, speed, cost and recovering from unexpected events. Most real-world jobs require flexibility, judgement and adaptation, areas where humans continue to outperform machines.

Are robots better than humans at some tasks?

Yes. Robots can perform repetitive tasks for long periods without breaks and often deliver consistent results in controlled settings. This makes them particularly effective in factories, warehouses and other predictable environments.

What did researchers say about Figure's package-sorting robots?

University of New South Wales researchers noted that the demonstration showed progress but does not prove robots can broadly replace workers. In one video, a human worker still sorted more packages than the robot team, which required battery recharging and supervision.

How quickly could robots become a major part of the workforce?

Experts believe widespread deployment remains years away. Technical limitations, regulatory requirements, infrastructure upgrades and public trust issues must all be addressed before robots can operate autonomously at scale.

What are the main bullish arguments for robotics adoption?

Supporters argue that robots can help address labour shortages, improve productivity and perform dangerous jobs that put humans at risk. Demand for industrial robots has already been growing rapidly in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and warehousing.

Image for illustrative purposes only. Not a real photo.

Humanoid robots remain years from replacing workers

Written by Jon CuthbertPublished Jun 3, 2026, 5:10 AM

Artificial intelligence-powered robots are becoming more capable, but researchers say they remain years away from replacing humans across most workplaces because they cannot yet reliably adapt to changing environments.

The debate intensified after AI robotics company Figure showcased humanoid robots sorting packages for nine consecutive days and performing tasks such as cleaning rooms, raising questions about the future of work.

“I would not say we are at the point of mass replacement by humanoid robots,”

Said University of New South Wales associate professor of robotics, Oliver Obst.

Obst said repetitive physical jobs in structured environments are currently the most vulnerable to automation, while AI software is already beginning to affect administrative and information-processing roles.

Researchers noted that humanoid robots still face significant challenges related to reliability, safety, speed, cost and recovering from unexpected situations, making them less practical than existing industrial automation systems in many settings.

University of New South Wales senior lecturer Dr Francisco Cruz Naranjo said robots outperform humans in repetitive tasks but continue to struggle in dynamic environments where people can quickly adjust to changing conditions.

Experts said wider adoption of robots could improve workplace safety and help address labour shortages, but warned that society may eventually need to rethink economic models built around employment if automation becomes widespread.