Humanoid robots have captured billions in investment and endless headlines, but the real question remains: what can they actually do in warehouses and factories today? At RoboBusiness 2026, taking place October 20 and 21 in Santa Clara, California, a panel of leading roboticists will cut through the noise and examine where humanoid technology truly stands in practical, industrial settings.

What Are Experts Actually Discussing About Humanoid Robots?

The "State of Humanoids" panel will bring together four major players in the robotics space to discuss the capabilities that humanoids are delivering today, the technical and operational challenges that remain, and the lessons emerging from early industrial implementations. Rather than focusing on what robots might do someday, the conversation will center on real deployments happening right now in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics environments.

The panel will address critical topics including safety standards, economic viability, and the specific milestones that must be reached before humanoid robots can achieve widespread adoption across industries. This represents a shift from the typical tech conference narrative of endless possibility toward a grounded discussion of what's working and what still needs solving.

Who Are the Experts Leading This Conversation?

The panel includes representatives from four companies at the forefront of humanoid development. Pras Velagapudi, Chief Technology Officer at Agility Robotics, brings decades of experience in robotics planning and control, including his previous work at Berkshire Grey where he helped deploy fleets of hundreds of robots in logistics applications. Parker Conroy, Head of Product Management at Apptronik, has spent more than a decade guiding teams to design and deploy thousands of autonomous mobile robots, robotic arms, drones, and now humanoid robots.

Michael Patrick Perry, Head of Commercial Strategy at Persona AI, is building the commercial framework for deploying humanoid robots in heavy industrial environments including shipbuilding, steel manufacturing, and offshore operations. Aadeel Akhtar, CEO of PSYONIC, launched his company to develop advanced bionic limbs that are accessible to both humans and robots, bringing a unique perspective on embodied robotics.

How to Understand the Current State of Humanoid Robot Deployment

• Real-World Capabilities: The panel will explore what humanoid robots are actually delivering in industrial settings today, moving beyond theoretical possibilities to discuss proven applications and measurable results in active deployments.
• Technical and Operational Challenges: Experts will address the remaining obstacles that prevent humanoid robots from being deployed at scale, including hardware limitations, software integration issues, and operational complexities in real factory and warehouse environments.
• Safety, Standards, and Economics: The discussion will cover critical factors including how to ensure worker safety around humanoid robots, what industry standards are emerging, and whether the economics of humanoid deployment make sense for businesses today.
• Adoption Milestones: Panelists will identify the specific technical and commercial milestones that must be achieved before humanoid robots can move from pilot projects to widespread industrial adoption across manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.

The moderator, Mike Oitzman, Senior Editor at The Robot Report, will guide the discussion to ensure attendees leave with a clear, practical understanding of where humanoids create value today and what it will take for the technology to scale.

This conversation arrives at a pivotal moment for the robotics industry. While humanoid robots have generated enormous excitement and attracted significant venture capital investment, the gap between laboratory demonstrations and reliable industrial deployment remains substantial. By bringing together engineers, product leaders, and commercial strategists who are actively working with these systems in real environments, RoboBusiness 2026 aims to provide the kind of grounded, practical perspective that investors, manufacturers, and logistics companies need to make informed decisions about humanoid automation.

For those interested in attending, early-bird registration discounts of $200 are available through August 31, 2026, providing full access to all keynotes, technical sessions, networking events, and special programming.