Gartner: Under 20 Humanoids in Production by 2028

Humanoid robots designed for supply chain applications feature: AI-enabled perception systems, machine learning capabilities, integrated cameras and sensors, articulated arms for manipulation tasks, and bipedal locomotion for navigating warehouse environments[1]. However, Gartner notes these technical capabilities do not translate to operational suitability in real-world logistics settings, suggesting the gap lies not in hardware specifications but in practical deployment challenges such as reliability, integration complexity, and cost-effectiveness relative to task-specific automation solutions[1].

The limited adoption forecast for humanoid robots by 2028 suggests that supply chain operators will continue prioritizing task-specific automation and traditional industrial robots over general-purpose humanoid solutions. This indicates that while physical AI generates significant hype, practical supply chain innovation will likely focus on proven technologies such as warehouse gamification (predicted to reach 40% adoption in large warehouses by 2028[3]), IoT, AI-driven monitoring systems, and specialized robotics. The humanoid robot market may remain a niche experiment for controlled pilot environments rather than transforming warehouse operations at scale[1].