‘ROBOT SCHOOLS’ ARE TEACHING HUMANOIDS SKILLS FOR THE WORKPLACE

Mon 27 July 2026:

As artificial intelligence and robotics continue to evolve, 2026 is emerging as a landmark year for humanoid robots, with manufacturers moving beyond prototypes into large-scale production and real-world deployment.

Industry data indicates that humanoid robots are no longer confined to research laboratories. Instead, they are being introduced into workplaces where the focus has shifted from demonstrating technological capabilities to performing practical tasks. Around 13,000 humanoid robots were shipped to businesses worldwide last year, and Goldman Sachs forecasts that shipments could climb to between 50,000 and 100,000 units in 2026.

These robots are already being used in airports, automotive factories, warehouses, and logistics centers, with experts predicting they could become part of everyday life between 2028 and 2030.

One company driving this transition is Texas-based Apptronik, which recently opened its 8,000-square-meter Robot Park—a facility often described as a “robot school.” Founded by University of Texas researchers who previously advised NASA, the company trains hundreds of its Apollo humanoid robots around the clock. After launching Apollo 1 in 2023, Apptronik introduced Apollo 2 in June following more than a year of intensive training.

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At Robot Park, the robots repeatedly practice tasks they are expected to perform in real workplaces, including loading conveyor belts, sorting products, stocking shelves, packaging goods, transporting pallets, scanning inventory, opening doors, and navigating uneven surfaces or human-designed environments. The company operates both wheeled and bipedal versions of Apollo 2, allowing it to optimize efficiency while improving walking ability and reliability.

Training relies heavily on teleoperation, where human operators remotely control the robots while cameras and sensors record every movement, force, and joint position. This data is used to train the robots’ AI systems, powered by Google DeepMind’s Gemini Robotics models. Every action performed by a human becomes a learning example, enabling the robots to gradually require less assistance and operate more independently.

According to Apptronik, this continuous cycle of working, collecting data, and improving AI is accelerating the development of increasingly capable humanoid robots. While today’s machines are primarily designed for manufacturing and logistics, future generations are expected to expand into healthcare, home assistance, and many other industries.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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