A grounded view of what works today
A scoped pilot shows how a humanoid handles your task, in your building, alongside your own people.
Humanoid robotics in New Zealand
Robotx supplies bipedal and wheeled humanoid robots to New Zealand organisations. Humanoids are at an early commercial stage, so we start with a scoped pilot on one real task, with clear measures and health and safety controls agreed before the robot runs.
What it changes for your operation
Bipedal and wheeled humanoid platforms for scoped pilots in handling, sorting, visitor engagement and research.
Structured tasks in human spaces
Humanoids work at benches, shelves and doorways built for people, starting with repeatable tasks such as sorting or moving totes.
Capability inside your organisation
A pilot builds embodied AI know-how in your operations, engineering and health and safety teams as the platforms mature.
Visitor engagement and research
Universities, science centres and innovation programmes use humanoids where engagement or research matters more than throughput.
In operation
Typical capabilities
- Bipedal and wheeled humanoid platforms, depending on the task
- Arms with grippers or dexterous hands for handling
- Vision and depth sensing to recognise objects and people
- Task programming, teleoperation and imitation learning on some platforms
- Speech and touchscreen interaction for reception and education roles
- Developer tools and interfaces for research and integration
Where we deploy it
Partners for this
More detailHumanoid Robotics: how it works and how we deploy itWhere it works best, choosing the right platform, deployment steps and further reading
Where humanoids stand today
Humanoid and embodied AI robots have moved quickly from research labs into early commercial use, and several manufacturers now sell platforms to businesses. The platforms still have limits, and most enterprise use today is in pilots: a single robot or a small group working on a structured task, in a defined area, with people supervising.
Humanoids are designed for spaces built around people, so in principle they can use existing benches, shelves and containers without redesigning a site. In practice, speed, dexterity and reliability vary between platforms and tasks, and a robot that performs well in one setting may need significant work to perform in another. We will tell you if a platform cannot yet fill the role you have in mind.
How we scope a humanoid pilot in New Zealand
We start by agreeing a specific task, such as moving totes between stations in a distribution centre, sorting items into bins on a packing line, or greeting visitors in a lobby. We then define what success looks like, what the robot will and will not do, and how you will measure it.
During the site assessment we look at the space, floor surfaces, lighting, the objects involved, where people will be, and how the robot will be supervised. Health and safety is part of the scope from the start. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 you need to manage the risk so far as is reasonably practicable and engage with the workers likely to be affected, so we suggest bringing in your health and safety team, and your health and safety representatives where you have them, from the first visit.
Choosing a platform
Robotx works with several humanoid manufacturers, including bipedal and wheeled designs. The right platform depends on the task, the environment and whether you need a finished application or a platform for your own engineering or university research team. Once the pilot is scoped, we recommend a platform, supply it, support setup and training where the platform supports it, and provide ongoing technical support, parts and warranty administration for New Zealand customers.
Humanoid Robotics: common questions
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Are humanoid robots ready for commercial use?
Humanoid robots are in early commercial use, and most enterprise deployments today are pilots in structured, repeatable tasks rather than full production roles. They can move items, sort objects and greet visitors in controlled settings, but speed, reliability and range of tasks are still developing. A carefully scoped pilot is the sensible way to find out what they can do on your site.
What tasks can a humanoid robot do in a factory or distribution centre?
The most realistic early tasks are structured and repeatable: moving totes or parts between stations, simple picking and placing, sorting items and loading or unloading at a fixed point. In food and beverage processing, hygiene, wash-down and temperature requirements also need checking against the platform. Tasks with lots of variation or tight time pressure are harder. We help you pick a task where success can be measured clearly.
What is the difference between a bipedal and a wheeled humanoid?
A bipedal humanoid walks on two legs, which lets it handle steps and uneven ground but adds complexity. A wheeled humanoid has a human-like upper body on a wheeled base, which is usually more stable and practical on flat commercial floors. For many indoor handling tasks a wheeled platform is the more pragmatic choice.
How do we start a humanoid robotics pilot?
Start with a consultation to agree the task, the environment and what success looks like. We then assess the site, including space, safety zones and supervision, and recommend a platform. The pilot plan sets out the scope, training, safety controls and review points, so your decision on next steps rests on what the pilot showed rather than on expectations.
How much does a humanoid robot cost?
Pricing varies widely between platforms and depends on the configuration, hands or grippers, software and support you need. Robotx sells robots outright and does not publish a price list. After a consultation and site assessment we provide a written proposal, with the cost tied to a defined task and pilot scope.
Are humanoid robots safe to work around people?
Humanoids can operate near people, but they are heavy, moving machines, and safe use depends on the task, speed, separation and supervision. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, your organisation as a PCBU must manage that risk so far as is reasonably practicable and engage with the workers affected. Your pilot should include a risk assessment, defined work zones and trained operators.
Tell us where your operation loses time.
A Robotx consultation starts with your sites, tasks and constraints. We’ll tell you where robotics fits and where it doesn’t, and what a sensible first deployment would look like.