Humanoid Robots Compared: Unitree G1, Tesla Optimus & Boston Dynamics Atlas + Robotics Glossary

Klaus Zirngibl
Jul 22
2 min read

The Rise of Humanoid Robots: Comparison, Glossary & Future Outlook

Humanoid robots are no longer science fiction—they’re walking, talking, and working alongside humans in real-world environments. Whether you're a robotics enthusiast, educator, or tech-savvy buyer, understanding the current landscape and future potential of these machines is essential.

🔍 Comparison of the 4 Leading Humanoid Robots (2025)

Robot	Developer	Strengths	Limitations	Primary Use
Unitree G1	Unitree Robotics	Affordable (~$16,000), agile, 23 degrees of freedom, AI-powered movement	Limited hand dexterity, short battery life (~2 hrs)	Education, research, personal robotics
Tesla Optimus	Tesla Inc.	Visionary design, tight AI integration, scalable production plans	Still in early stages, limited autonomy, mostly demo-based	General-purpose, industrial automation
Figure 02	Figure AI	Real-world factory deployment, advanced AI decision-making, scalable output	Young company, refining object manipulation	Manufacturing, logistics, general tasks
Boston Dynamics Atlas	Boston Dynamics	Unmatched mobility, dynamic balance, parkour-level agility	High cost, limited manipulation skills, not yet commercialized	R&D, search & rescue, industrial trials

📚 Robotics Glossary for Beginners

Humanoid Robot: A robot designed to resemble and move like a human.
Degrees of Freedom (DoF): The number of independent movements a robot can perform.
Actuator: A motor or mechanism that enables movement.
End Effector: The “hand” or tool at the end of a robotic arm.
Inverse Kinematics: Mathematical method to calculate joint movements for reaching a target.
Sensor Fusion: Combining data from multiple sensors to improve perception.
Teleoperation: Remote control of a robot by a human operator.
AI Integration: Embedding artificial intelligence for autonomous decision-making.
ROS (Robot Operating System): A flexible framework for writing robot software.

🚀 What Will Humanoid Robots Be Capable of by 2030?

The next 5–10 years will be transformative. Here's what experts predict:

Autonomous Collaboration: Robots will work side-by-side with humans in factories, hospitals, and homes—making decisions independently while adapting to dynamic environments.
Emotional Intelligence: Advanced AI will allow robots to recognize and respond to human emotions, making them ideal for caregiving, education, and customer service.
Dexterous Manipulation: Robotic hands will become more human-like, capable of delicate tasks such as cooking, folding laundry, or assembling electronics.
Affordable Mass Production: Companies like Figure AI and Unitree are scaling up production, making humanoid robots accessible to small businesses and private users.
AI-Powered Learning: Robots will learn new tasks on the fly using vision-language-action models, reducing the need for manual programming.

Final Thoughts

Humanoid robots are evolving from experimental prototypes to practical tools. Whether you're interested in the affordable agility of the Unitree G1 or the industrial promise of Figure 02, the future is full of possibilities. And with AI accelerating their capabilities, these machines may soon become part of our everyday lives.