Giant tech firms are investing in humanoid robots in the US and China, with Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng reportedly considering investing up to 100 billion yuan (US $13.8 billion) in humanoid robots while Tesla last year showcased prototypes of humanoid. Silvia Iacovcich, senior reporter at National Technology News speaks with three European firms that are leading the change in the region.

The pursuit of humanoid robotics represents a convergence of several critical technological and socio-economic trends. These include advancements in artificial intelligence and materials science, the evolving landscape of industrial automation, and the demographic challenges facing many developed economies.

Within this context, Europe's contribution to the field is characterised by a distinct emphasis on specific areas of innovation and a particular approach to development. This approach often seeks to balance technological ambition with considerations of human augmentation and ethical deployment.

Central to understanding Europe's role are the diverse yet complementary strategies adopted by its leading robotics firms. These strategies encompass the refinement of advanced manipulation capabilities, the development of human-machine collaboration tools, and the exploration of cognitive robotic systems.

To illustrate these trends, this analysis will examine the work of three key European players: Shadow Robot, which specialises in dexterous robotic hands; German Bionic, a pioneer in the field of intelligent exoskeletons; and Neura Robotics, which is focused on creating cognitive robots designed for human environments.

Shadow Robot: Advanced dexterous manipulation

Rich Walker, director at highly dexterous robotic hands and teleoperation systems specialist Shadow Robot, tells National Technology News the group’s foundation happened in the most natural way – through a group of people passionate about building robots who regularly met in the founder’s attic.

The company was formed in 1987 in response to its first orders. “We slid into being a company because people kept wanting to buy things we were making!” Walker says. “We've always been very focused on building the best technology possible and that has led us into a number of interesting areas that we wouldn't have expected over the years."

The firm started out developing systems using pneumatic actuators that the team dubbed “Air Muscles”. These braided pneumatic actuators had remained undiscovered in the tech field until then. “They had some really nice properties for building robots, but also some significant disadvantages in terms of needing infrastructure to make them work,” Walker explains. “We eventually developed a way to make electric motors give us the compliance we needed, and we moved across to using those to drive our robots.”

Currently with offices in Bristol, UK, and Madrid, plus remote workers across various locations including Budapest, San Sebastián, Bogotá, Snowdonia, and Kraków, Shadow Robots is now Britain's longest-running robot company.

The firm’s flagship product, the Shadow Dexterous Hand, is one of the most advanced humanoid robotic hands globally. The hand features 24 movements and 20 degrees of freedom, and it is currently being used in various research and industrial applications, including collaborations with leading organisations like NASA, Google DeepMind, and MIT.

One of its latest innovations is the DEX-EE hand, developed in partnership with Google DeepMind, which is designed to withstand repeated impacts and long-term experiments in reinforcement learning, making it a reliable tool for machine learning research. The technology can go from fully open to closed within 500 milliseconds and perform a fingertip pinch with up to 10 newtons of force. It is both capable in terms of dexterity and sensing.

The project itself emerged from the needs of Google DeepMind, which wanted to conduct learning experiments with robot hands, Walker explains. “Almost all robot hands break if you smash them into things repeatedly, so we built a robot hand that doesn't! We're now looking at ways to take this into other domains,” he reveals.

According to the humanoid specialist, the top half of a humanoid is a vision system that understands the world and a pair of hands that can interact with it, which is very different from a traditional industrial robot. “We see a lot of scope for dexterity in that area making robots do new and different things,” he explains.

Although the firm is now one of the biggest specialists in dexterous robotics hands, Walker admits it was sad to move away from a 360-degree focus on bipeds. “Bipeds are just cool, we have to admit that” he says, explaining the firm had started making bipeds in the 1980s and stopped in the 1990s because it moved to hands. “But we've always had a liking for them.”

Compared to twenty years ago, investments in robot hardware development have ramped up due to the humanoid boom, Walker notes. “It seems to have caused the European landscape to change in that very senior people "get" humanoids, so suddenly they "get" robots in a way they didn't before,” he says.

The firm is particularly excited by the convergence of new AI technologies with the well-established possible applications of robots and the ability in Europe to build ecosystems. “What will the results be in 5 years? I'd say - a surprise,” he says.

The humanoids specialist believes Europe’s strengths lie in a strong commitment to supporting people and maintaining social welfare, which makes it a fertile ground for collaborations and creating “hidden champions” in the field. “Unlike the US, Europe tends to have a more balanced approach that doesn't fully embrace unbridled capitalist practices,” he adds.

The AI regulatory European environment is also reassuring, with the region focusing on protecting citizens rather than serving corporate interests, similar to its previous approach with GDPR, Walker notes.

Their firm’s commitment to ethical practices includes a strict policy against selling robots for military use. “The pursuit of money isn't our primary motivation; we value Europe's unique advantages and approach to business and social policy, and we are more interested in the broader societal benefits and ethical considerations than simply chasing investment capital,” Walker explains.

He emphasises how a collaborative approach to regulation, focusing on how existing regulations can work together, could be beneficial for the industry.

“It would also help regulators understand the practical implications of technological developments, creating understanding and alignment between regulators and innovators, rather than imposing restrictive new rules,” he adds.

He cites the nuclear industry as an example, which was initially very resistant to using robots and autonomous systems. Over time, they've completely changed their approach and using flying and legged robots for inspection tasks has now become standard practice. “The change happened by demonstrating safety, communicating best practices, and showing that robotics solutions can be better than alternatives,” he says.

German Bionic: Exoskeletons for human augmentation

German Bionic is a German-based robotics firm specialising in smart exoskeletons and wearable technologies designed to boost workplace safety and productivity.
The company was founded with the mission of supporting working people through innovative technology. “Our ethos is grounded in developing human-centric solutions that improve health, safety, and productivity in demanding work environments,” says Eric Eitel, head of global communications at the firm.

The company began by developing the world’s first connected exoskeleton for industrial use. Over time, the firm added AI capabilities, enhanced support functions such as walking assistance, and established robust cloud integration for continuous performance improvements that all customers can benefit from via over-the-air (OTA) updates, a process that enables wireless delivery of software updates or patches to devices, without requiring physical connections or manual installations.

Their exoskeletons, such as the Apogee ULTRA, provide high lifting support (up to 36 kg) and are equipped with advanced AI and machine learning capabilities to adapt to individual user needs. These exoskeletons are used in various industries, including logistics, manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.

The company's technology aims to reduce the physical strain on workers by supporting lifting movements, preventing poor posture, and offering active walking support, Eitel explains.
“I think that one of our biggest achievements has been moving exoskeletons from niche applications into daily use in logistics, construction, and healthcare,” he adds.

However, the firm faced challenges. “A major challenge we needed to master was ensuring that the systems are not only technically advanced but also intuitive, comfortable, and truly helpful for users on the job,” he explains.

Thanks to its early commitment to connectivity and data collection, the firm now has access to billions of data points from real-world use across many industries where heavy lifting is part of the daily work.

This puts them in a unique position within the field to continuously refine its technology and develop even more effective solutions—both for the people using its exoskeletons and for the organisations deploying them. “We are always working on new capabilities that adapt more precisely to individual users and specific tasks,” Eitel notes.

The firm is also boosting data integration and analytics through its platform to deliver deeper insights into workplace strain and ergonomics. “In parallel, we’re developing tools that promote inclusivity and accessibility, making physically demanding jobs more attractive to a broader and more diverse workforce,” he explains.

While the firm closely follows developments in AI-based robotics/humanoid robotics systems, Eitel stresses the company’s focus is different. “Rather than replacing humans, we aim to augment them,” he says.

Drawing from years of real-world experience in the field, the firm understands humanoid robotics still faces major hurdles when it comes to scalable, cost-effective deployment.
“But right now we are concentrating on exoskeletons—wearable robotic systems that support people in the here and now, without adding the complexity of fully autonomous humanoids,” Eitel says.

Eitel emphasises that Europe’s “unique strength” lies in combining technological innovation with a strong humanistic tradition. “When it comes to robotics, and particularly humanoid robotics, the challenge will be to balance ambition with applicability,” he notes.

The firm strongly believes that the future lies in systems that keep humans at the centre – augmenting rather than replacing them. Exoskeletons are the perfect example of this human-centric robotics vision. “They can be deployed today, delivering measurable benefits while opening up new possibilities for safer, more inclusive workplaces,” he says.

“In the next five years, we hope to see Europe continue leading in this direction—with robotics that serve people, not the other way around,” Eitel concludes.

Neura Robotics: Cognitive robots for collaboration

Founded in 2019, Neura Robotics has a bold goal: to create cognitive robots that can interact with humans and the physical world, to give humanoid robots a practical reality in daily life.
David Reger, chief executive at the firm, explains the firm first ventured into the industrial sector as robots were more widely accepted there.

From that foundation, the firm aims to create versatile robotic technologies that can be applied across different sectors, with the firm currently developing a flexible robotic platform that can adapt to various contexts, rather than being narrowly specialised in just one industry or application.

“What makes Neura different from other humanoids companies is their approach to developing products for multiple markets, not just limiting themselves to industrial applications,” Reger explains.

The firm takes a holistic approach by integrating intelligent AI architecture for robotics deeply into both software and hardware, designing intelligent robots in multiple form factors to suit different needs and environments.

“Our designs include smart arms, mobile arms, wheeled robots, and humanoid platforms,” Reger explains, adding that the firm focuses on distributing AI and computing capabilities across different hardware levels, integrating intelligence not just in software, but in the physical hardware itself.

The journey hasn’t been without its challenges, especially in the earliest days, when starting a full-stack hardware and software company in Germany wasn’t easy.
“In 2019, hardware development was not considered a valuable asset, the tech world was more focused on the metaverse,” Reger explains.

Despite the challenges, the firm persevered through a challenging start-up environment by focusing on practical technology deployment to bring their robotic vision to life. “We had to be creative and find innovative ways to make our vision work, but we were determined to prove the value of their hardware and software approach,” he says.

Now, Neura Robotics is preparing to launch their newest humanoid robot in June 2025, which will include a household platform as part of their generation 3 (Gen3) development.
The new humanoid robot has improved computing capabilities, enhanced human-robot interaction, advanced robot sensitisation and platform integration, and the ability for robots to interface with each other. “We are not just developing a robot, but creating a sophisticated, interconnected robotic system that can seamlessly integrate into human environments,” Reger explains.

Reger likes to draw a direct parallel to Steve Jobs' revolutionary strategy with the iPhone. “Instead of creating a closed, proprietary system, we're building an open platform that invites innovation from third-party developers,” he explains. “Technological advancement is stifled when innovation is kept within a single company's walls,” he adds.

By opening their platform, the firm hopes to accelerate the development of robotic technologies, much like how the App Store transformed mobile computing. “We believe that broader market adoption and technological progress can only happen by allowing multiple minds and perspectives to contribute; technology is not as a closed system to be controlled, but as an open landscape to be explored collaboratively,” Reger explains.

Discussing the global robotics landscape, with China leading the way, Reger highlights China’s goal to integrate humanoid robots into 5 per cent of their labour force by 2030. “That translates to approximately 40 million robots,” he says, adding that the strategic plan could generate a minimum revenue of $1.6 trillion. He views this as a ‘wake-up call’ for Europe not to be passive but to respond and innovate to avoid becoming technological "museums".

In Europe, although there are not yet many companies producing humanoid robots, major players in the automotive industry are now getting involved, supporting existing robotics companies while preparing to launch their own humanoid robots soon.

According to Reger, traditional industrial sectors in Europe such as automotive are recognising the potential of robotics and moving to become active participants in this emerging technological field.

He emphasises Europe has all the cards to succeed including a fertile ecosystem, but needs to move fast. “Europe has existing infrastructure from the automotive industry, is still a leading continent in industrial manufacturing offering the opportunity to leverage this existing technological base,” he explains. “But it needs to quickly develop the right mindset and realise its potential now, focusing on a strategic approach to compete effectively in the humanoid robotics market,” he adds.

Europe's acknowledgement of current limitations is driving a positive transformation and has not lagged in the global robotics race, Reger argues, adding: ‘By recognising its shortcomings and supporting small innovative companies, Europe is creating momentum to catch up in the robotics market,’ he adds.

With new regulations coming into force, Reger believes that this is a critical time for Europe to reinvent itself, linking traditional manufacturing with innovative robotic solutions, turning a potential weakness into a strength through proactive, forward-looking policies and technological development.

“This combination of factors makes me confident that Europe will not just participate in the robotics revolution but will be a leading driver in this emerging technological landscape,” he concludes.

Europe's path forward in robotics

Europe is making its mark in the world of humanoid robotics, driving innovation with a focus on ethical development and collaborative partnerships. While global giants like the US and China invest heavily in this cutting-edge technology, European companies are carving out a unique niche with their commitment to human-centered principles.

Companies like Shadow Robot, German Bionic, and Neura Robotics are pushing the boundaries of what's possible, each with a distinct focus. Shadow Robot, for example, specialises in creating incredibly dexterous robotic hands, while German Bionic focuses on developing exoskeletons that empower workers and enhance safety. Neura Robotics, on the other hand, envisions a future where cognitive robots seamlessly integrate into human lives.

While Europe faces competition from global giants, it possesses inherent strengths. Its robust industrial base, particularly in automotive manufacturing, provides a solid foundation for innovation. Additionally, Europe's regulatory environment, which emphasises ethical considerations and citizen protection, sets it apart.

To fully capitalise on these advantages, Europe must embrace a proactive and strategic approach. This involves fostering innovation, supporting research, and creating a regulatory framework that encourages responsible development. By doing so, Europe can not only compete in this rapidly evolving field but also shape a future where robots work alongside humans to create a safer, more productive, and inclusive society.

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