Technology
What is inside a humanoid robot and why it costs so much
· 3 min read
From the outside a humanoid robot looks like one smooth machine, but inside it is a dense mix of motors, gearboxes, sensors and computing electronics. It is these components that decide what the robot can do and why it costs what it costs. Let us look at what a humanoid robot is made of and where the largest part of the price is hidden.
What a humanoid robot is made of
Although models differ, almost every humanoid robot is built on four main groups of components. These are the actuators that create movement, the sensors for perceiving the surroundings and its own body, the computing unit as the brain, and finally the structure with the battery that holds it all together and powers it.
Together these four groups make up most of the robot's price. Once you understand what each one does, it is immediately clear why a humanoid is so expensive and where real savings on the price can be made.
- Actuators: motors, gearboxes and joint modules
- Sensors: cameras, LiDAR, depth sensors and IMU
- Computing unit: processor and control electronics
- Structure and battery: frame, covers and power supply
Actuators: the heart of the robot and the biggest cost
Actuators are the robot's joints. Each one combines a motor, a gearbox and sensors in a compact module that has to be strong, precise and light at the same time. This is where most of the money goes. In humanoid robots the drive system accounts for roughly 40 to 60 percent of the total hardware price.
Manufacturers such as Unitree develop their motors in-house, while gearboxes and precision bearings are bought from specialised suppliers. The more joints a robot has and the more powerful they are, the faster its price rises.
Sensors and computing unit: perception and brain
For the robot to know where it is and what is happening around it, it needs sensors. Cameras, depth sensors, LiDAR for mapping the space and an IMU for sensing tilt and movement. This group makes up roughly 15 to 25 percent of the price.
The computing unit, meaning the robot's brain, processes all the data from the sensors and controls the motors in real time. Although this is advanced electronics, its share of the total price is smaller, approximately 10 to 15 percent.
How much a humanoid robot really costs
Prices of humanoid robots span a wide range. The Unitree G1 is currently one of the most affordable fully-fledged humanoids at around 13,500 dollars, while offering 23 degrees of freedom, 3D LiDAR, depth cameras and approximately two hours of operation.
At the opposite end are machines such as the Tesla Optimus, whose components alone are estimated at 50 to 60 thousand dollars per unit. The difference is not just in the brand but in the quality of the actuators, the number of sensors and the maturity of the control system.
What this means for companies and events
Hardware ages quickly, requires maintenance and the know-how to operate it.
That is exactly why renting a humanoid robot for an event or for development is the more sensible route. You get access to expensive technology and its possibilities without bearing the full purchase price and the risks of ownership.
Sources
<b>Data source:</b> MotorTrend (teardown of a humanoid robot), Robotopian (analysis of the Unitree G1) and publicly available estimates of the cost structure of humanoid robots. The images are illustrative, from the robotrental.sk fleet.
