Humanoids on the shop floor: Terra Robotics at Robotics Day 2026

Reading time: approx. 4 minutes

Are humanoid robots already ready for the industrial shop floor – or are we still talking about a technology of the future? This exact question will be the focus on September 29, 2026, at the Robotics Day hosted by wvib Schwarzwald AG and the Work-Life Robotics Institute in Offenburg. Terra Robotics will be on-site together with robotics and machine safety expert Jens Müller.

Under the motto "Fast Entry. Practical Solutions. Technology Trends.," the Robotics Day brings together manufacturers, experts, and users from the industrial mid-market. The focus is not merely on presenting new technologies, but on the question of how robotics can be integrated into existing production processes in a concrete, economical, and safe manner.

Humanoid robotics between technical possibility and industrial reality

Humanoid robots are currently among the most dynamic developments within industrial robotics.

New platforms can walk, balance, recognize objects, grasp items, and perform increasingly complex motion sequences. This makes them fundamentally different from classic stationary industrial robots.

The special approach: Humanoid robots can potentially be deployed in work environments that were originally developed for humans.

As a result, workbenches, shelves, KLT containers, machines, doors, tools, and existing walkways do not necessarily have to be completely rebuilt for an automated system.

However, there are still decisive steps between technical demonstration and stable production operation.

"Humanoids on the shop floor: Reality or future?"

At 9:45 a.m., Jens Müller will speak at the Robotics Day about exactly this question:

"Humanoids on the shop floor: Reality or future?"

Jens Müller is a certified expert in robotics and machine safety and is intensively involved in the safe integration of humanoid systems. Among other things, he is part of international standardization work for the safety of dynamically stable mobile robots.

This involves a central challenge:

A humanoid robot must not only be able to technically master a task. It must perform this task repeatably, safely, and reliably within a real production environment.

This includes questions such as:

• How stable does the robot operate over longer periods?
• Which activities are already suitable for a pilot operation?
• How does the collaboration with employees work?
• What risks arise from moving arms, legs, and tools?
• How must safety concepts be structured?
• What requirements arise from machine law, AI, and cybersecurity?
• When is a use case economically viable?
• How can a successful pilot be scaled later?

It is precisely the combination of technical feasibility and safety that determines whether humanoid robotics turns from a demonstrator into an industrial solution.

Are humanoids an option or an obligation for the mid-market?

Immediately following at 10:15 a.m. is the panel discussion:

"Are humanoids an option or an obligation for the mid-market?"

Together, Mathias Stach, Jens Müller, Timo Gessmann, and Viacheslav Gromov will discuss the role of humanoid robotics in the industrial mid-market.

The question is particularly relevant because companies are currently in a difficult position.

Those who invest too early may be working with a technology whose capabilities and standards are still changing significantly.

However, those who wait too long may only begin building know-how once competitors have already gained experience from several pilot projects.

This is why Terra Robotics follows a step-by-step approach: identifying small, clearly defined use cases, gaining experience, evaluating data, and subsequently deciding whether scaling makes sense.

Which tasks are already suitable for humanoid robots?

Not every production process requires a humanoid robot.

For highly standardized workflows with constant components and high volumes, classic industrial robots or specially developed automation systems are often still the better solution.

Humanoid systems become interesting especially when flexibility is required.

On the Terra Robotics page for assembly and handling, the focus is therefore on the following applications, among others:

• KLT pick & place
• Kitting and material provision
• Sorting of components
• Removing and inserting
• Aligning and positioning
• Transfers between work stations
• Line-side supply
• Operating doors, drawers, or buttons
• Tool handling

Especially in high-variant production, humanoid robots and mobile manipulation systems can be interesting because they can use existing infrastructure instead of building a completely new special-purpose machine for every new process.

From the first proof of concept to a scalable application

The introduction of humanoid robotics should not begin with the question of how many robots a company needs.

The first step is:

Which specific process is suitable for a controlled test?

A sensible proof of concept can, for example, involve recurring material supply, picking specific components, or simple machine interaction.

Technical and organizational questions are clarified first:

1. Analyze process

Which task is to be taken over? How often does it occur, and what variants are there?

2. Define requirements

What range, gripping force, speed, sensors, and accuracy are required?

3. Develop safety concept

How do humans and robots work in the same area? What hazards must be considered?

4. Test application

The process is set up under controlled conditions and tested repeatedly.

5. Evaluate data

Reliability, cycle time, interventions, errors, and actual operational benefit are assessed.

6. Check scalability

Only then does the question arise as to whether the process should be expanded or transferred to other locations.

This approach is also followed in current safety workshops on humanoid robotics: even during the first pilot project, one should consider which technical and organizational prerequisites would later be necessary for larger scaling.

Safety becomes the decisive factor

In terms of safety, humanoid robots differ significantly from many classic robot systems.

A bipedal system must actively control its balance. At the same time, it potentially moves through areas where people work and can additionally handle objects or tools.

Therefore, new requirements arise for risk assessment, motion control, and system integration.

Work is currently underway on, among other things, the international ISO/CD 25785-1 standard. The standard deals with safety requirements for dynamically stable industrial mobile robots – including many bipedal humanoid systems.

For companies, this means: safety should not be added retroactively.

It must be considered as early as the selection of the use case and the creation of a proof of concept.

Terra Robotics at the Robotics Day in Offenburg

In the afternoon, the Robotics Day moves from presentations directly to practice.

Starting at 2:00 p.m., stand demonstrations by various robotics and automation providers will take place at the Work-Life Robotics Institute.

Represented companies and organizations include SCHUNK, fruitcore robotics, SICK, Zimmer Group, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, as well as Müller & Partner Sachverständige / Terra Robotics.

This allows visitors to directly connect the previously discussed topics with real technology and exchange ideas directly with the participating experts.

The Robotics Day is now fully booked with a maximum of 100 participants.

The mid-market does not have to wait for the perfect humanoid

In our view, the most important question is not whether humanoid robots already fulfill all expectations today.

They do not.

It is much more decisive whether individual tasks can be found today where companies can meaningfully gain experience.

Platforms like the Unitree G1 allow, for example, research and development regarding perception, motion planning, robot learning, and human-robot interaction. Other humanoid platforms are increasingly focusing more strongly on industrial manipulation and handling tasks.

Entering the field, therefore, does not have to mean operating an entire production line with humanoids tomorrow.

It can mean starting to learn today with a clearly defined use case.

Examine humanoid robotics for your own production

Would you like to find out which processes in your company are suitable for humanoid robotics or other automation solutions?

On our page regarding humanoid robots for industry, research, and education, you will find current platforms and further information.

Concrete applications for assembly and handling show which tasks can be interesting for pilot projects today.

Via the Terra Robotics requirements analysis, you can also inform us directly about your area of application and the most important requirements.