Why are humanoid robots entering factories in the Netherlands—and why are SMEs their first stop?

Humanoid robots can run, dance, and box—but factory owners care about just one thing: Can they actually get work done? On September 10, a project named Future RobotiX was launched in Enschede, the Netherlands. Jointly undertaken by Dutch and German enterprises, universities, and research institutes, the project’s goal is not to build another showpiece robot—but to explore how humanoid robots can be practically deployed in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and craft workshops. The first targeted applications are highly specific: welding, logistics, component handling, and spray painting. None of these sound flashy. Yet precisely these tasks may bring humanoid robots much closer to genuine commercialization than running or dancing ever could. So why start with SMEs? Industrial robots are certainly nothing new. Robotic arms have been operating in automobile plants for decades. Welding, painting, material handling, and assembly are already highly automated in large-scale manufacturing. The problem is that this model doesn’t suit all factories. Traditional industrial robots excel at highly standardized tasks: fixed positions, fixed workpieces, fixed motions—repeated over and over. When producing hundreds of thousands of vehicles annually, this approach is highly cost-effective. But Europe hosts a vast number of SMEs whose operations look very different. They often produce in small batches, with frequent product changes—today machining one part, next week switching to another. Their production lines may not justify investing in expensive, purpose-built automation systems for a single process. This is exactly the scenario Future RobotiX targets. The project does not ask, “Can robots replace workers?” Instead, it asks: Can a robot enter an environment originally designed for humans—and operate there effectively? If the answer is yes, the implications are transformative. Factories wouldn’t need to redesign entire production lines for robots; instead, robots would adapt to existing equipment, tools, and spatial layouts. This is where the ‘humanoid’ form factor may truly deliver value. But here’s an unavoidable question: Welding robots already exist. Spray-painting robots exist. AGVs and robotic arms handle material transport. So why do we need bipedal, two-handed humanoid robots? The answer remains uncertain—for now. If a workstation performs only one fixed task daily, traditional robotic arms are likely cheaper, faster, and more reliable. The theoretical advantage of humanoid robots lies in dynamic, changing tasks. For example: A workstation handles parts in the morning, operates legacy machinery designed for human use in the afternoon, and shifts to a different station with different tools the next day. Humans switch seamlessly among such tasks. Traditional industrial robots, however, typically require reprogramming, physical reconfiguration—or even full production-line modifications. Only if future humanoid robots achieve true ‘one-robot-multiple-uses’ capability will they carve out a sustainable niche. Thus, Future RobotiX focuses not only on the robots themselves—but also on a far more pragmatic question: How can humans and robots safely and efficiently coexist within the same workplace? Because real factories are not laboratories. People walk by. Forklifts move around. Parts vary. And countless situations arise that robots have never encountered before.

The humanoid robot race

What most captures public attention about humanoid robots—running, flipping, and conversing—is not necessarily what will reshape industry. Far more consequential are capital flows and production capacity. In 2025, related startups raised over $3 billion—more than the combined total from 2017 through 2024. With investors willing to place early bets, the critical question ahead is whether these machines can evolve into genuinely useful products. ✤ 1 ✤ The funding landscape According to Statista’s analysis (based on Tracxn data covering 2017–H1 2026), Chinese humanoid robot startups have collectively raised $4.44 billion, while U.S. startups raised $3.02 billion—a gap of $1.42 billion. This comparison reflects private investment in startups—not government funding. Other markets appear significantly smaller on this chart: Canada ($109 million), Japan ($69 million), Israel ($17 million), and the UK ($13 million); Italy, Malaysia, and France trail further behind at $6 million, $5 million, and $3 million respectively. It’s important to clarify: this is a snapshot of startup financing under a specific methodology—not a comprehensive ranking of national industrial strength. Concentrated funding does not automatically equate to broad technological leadership. ✤ 2 ✤ Progress in China China’s progress is already visible in tangible shipment and production volumes. Unitree disclosed that in 2025, its humanoid robots achieved over 5,500 units shipped—meaning physically delivered to end customers—not merely ordered. Production volume exceeded 6,500 units. Zhiyuan announced in December 2025 that its 5,000th mass-produced robot rolled off the line, spanning multiple series including A, X, and G models. This milestone reflects cumulative production—not annual sales volume. These figures demonstrate advances in manufacturing scale. Yet when comparing vendors, consistent definitions—product scope, reporting periods, and distinctions among orders, production, delivery, and field operation—remain essential. Once built, the real test is whether the machines continue functioning reliably over time. ✤ 3 ✤ The U.S. approach In January 2026, Boston Dynamics unveiled the production version of Atlas and announced the commencement of manufacturing, with initial deliveries scheduled for Hyundai Motor’s Robotics Application Center and Google DeepMind later that year—followed by broader customer rollout. Its industrial applications include material handling tasks. Tesla positions Optimus as a general-purpose, bipedal robot designed for hazardous, repetitive, or tedious tasks. Achieving this vision demands integrated capabilities across balance, navigation, perception, and motion control—not just isolated task execution.

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Humanoid Robots Spell Opportunity for European Chemical Firms

Humanoid Robots Spell Opportunity for European Chemical Firms

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