How 2026 Will Decide the Future of Robotics

News

1. Google Pushes AI Deeper Into Retail With New Commerce Protocol

2. CrowdStrike to Buy Identity Security Startup SGNL for $740 Million

3. Aditya Birla Ventures Bets on US Generative AI Firm Articul8

4. Google Brings Gemini AI Features to Gmail

5. Indian AI Startups Pitch Global Ambitions Ahead of AI Impact Summit

6. CES 2026 Day 3: Foldables, Gaming PCs, and Everyday AI Take Center Stage

For much of the past few years, the center of gravity in artificial intelligence sat in software. Generative AI drew unprecedented capital after large funding rounds for OpenAI, Anthropic, and Inflection AI in 2023. By 2025, a large share of the roughly $80 billion invested in foundational AI models flowed to a handful of companies as funding headlines slowed while firms scaled existing technologies.

That pause is giving way to a new phase. Investors and technology leaders are increasingly turning their attention to physical AI systems that move intelligence off the screen and into machines that can sense, reason, and act in the real world. 

Automation and robotics are moving from early proofs of concept to real-world scale with a focus on profitability resilience and deployment beyond labs.

In the first nine months of 2025 alone, companies working on robotics, autonomous systems, and related technologies raised more than $16 billion. 

The latest International Federation of Robotics (IFR) report highlights five trends that point to how the robotics industry will evolve in 2026.

AI-driven Autonomy Becomes the New Baseline

Robots using advanced analytics can now operate independently, anticipate failures and optimize tasks in dynamic environments. Generative AI enables robots to learn new tasks, generate training data through simulation, and respond to natural-language or visual cues. The IFR also highlights hybrid “agentic” AI combining structured decision-making with adaptive behaviour as critical for real-world deployment.

Ensuring safety remains essential as robots increasingly operate around humans. Autonomous systems must comply with international safety standards and clear liability frameworks.

At Consumer Electronics Show 2026, Jensen Huang of NVIDIA has described this moment as a turning point, arguing that models capable of understanding the “physical world and planning actions are unlocking applications that were not previously feasible.”

Versatility Rises as Digital and Physical Systems Converge

Another clear trend is the push toward more versatile robots. This is being driven by the convergence of information technology and operational technology. As enterprise software systems connect more directly with physical machines, robots gain access to real-time data, advanced analytics, and broader automation capabilities.

This convergence is a core element of Industry 4.0 strategies. By breaking down long-standing silos between digital systems and factory floors, companies are enabling robots to shift between tasks, adapt to changing conditions, and integrate more smoothly into business operations. In 2026, versatility is becoming as important as speed or precision.

Humanoid Robots Move Closer To Everyday Use

Humanoid robots captured attention at CES 2026, but the tone of the conversation has shifted. The focus is less on spectacle and more on whether these machines can meet the demands of real workplaces. Industries such as automotive manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics are increasingly testing humanoids in environments designed for humans, where flexibility matters more than specialized machinery.

Several companies signaled a move beyond prototypes. Boston Dynamics introduced a production-ready version of Atlas and confirmed plans for deployment at a Hyundai manufacturing plant in the United States in 2026. 

Unitree Robotics and LG Electronics showcased humanoids aimed at industrial and household tasks, respectively. According to the report, across these efforts, reliability, energy efficiency, safety, and cost are emerging as the decisive factors.

Safety, Security, and Trust Take Priority

As robots move into closer contact with people, safety and security concerns are becoming central to adoption. AI-driven autonomy makes testing and validation more complex, while cloud-connected robots expand the surface for cyber risks. Questions around data collection, system transparency, and liability are no longer theoretical.

In response, companies and regulators are paying closer attention to international safety standards and governance frameworks. Progress in robotics during 2026 will depend not only on technical advances, but also on whether organizations can build trust through rigorous oversight, clear accountability, and responsible deployment.

Robots are positioned as partners, not replacements

Labor shortages across manufacturing, healthcare, and services are pushing employers to reconsider how work is done. In this context, robots are increasingly framed as partners that can ease physical strain, take on repetitive or hazardous tasks, and support human workers rather than replace them outright.

Executives such as NVIDIA’s Huang have described robots as a way to “address” global labor gaps, while companies including Hyundai Motor Group, Amazon, Tesla, and BYD have announced plans to integrate humanoid robots into their operations over the coming years. 

Acceptance often hinges on how these systems are introduced. Organizations that involve employees and invest in reskilling are more likely to see robots viewed as allies rather than threats.

What Lies Ahead

Experts view 2026 as a practical test for robotics as capital ambition meets execution. The real measure of progress will be whether robots can operate safely, reliably, and economically beyond controlled demonstrations. 

If they can, they may shift from emerging promise to foundational technology across manufacturing healthcare logistics and the home.