Top 7 must-read humanoid robot stories of 2025

The article highlights seven pivotal humanoid robot developments in 2025, marking a transition from experimental prototypes to practical, real-world applications. A standout story is from Chinese startup AheadForm Technology, which introduced the Elf V1 robot head featuring highly expressive, human-like facial micro-expressions powered by AI and micro-actuated muscles. This advancement pushes humanoid robots toward emotionally responsive interaction, enabling more natural communication by interpreting social cues and responding with lifelike expressions. This represents a major qualitative leap from the traditionally mechanical and stiff humanoid designs. Another significant development involved UBTech Robotics securing a $37 million contract to deploy their Walker S2 humanoid robots at the China-Vietnam border. These robots perform diverse public service roles such as guiding travelers, managing personnel flow, conducting patrols, and handling logistics with autonomous battery swapping and dexterous manipulation capabilities. This large-scale deployment underscores the growing practical integration of humanoids in government and industrial operations. Additionally, the article spotlights Clone Robotics’ Protoclone