Core Insights - The humanoid robot industry is shifting focus from bipedal robots to wheeled robots, as the latter are more practical and efficient for various applications [1][4][12] - The complexity and high costs associated with bipedal robots hinder their immediate commercial viability, making wheeled robots a more attractive option for companies seeking to prove their capabilities and secure funding by 2025 [3][7][10] Group 1: Challenges of Bipedal Robots - Bipedal robots face significant challenges in achieving efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability due to their complex dynamic balancing algorithms and high energy consumption [3][4] - The risk of falling in unstructured environments poses a critical safety concern, making bipedal robots less suitable for industrial and service applications [3][4] Group 2: Advantages of Wheeled Robots - Wheeled robots benefit from established technologies in autonomous vehicles and service robots, providing them with superior mobility, robustness, and energy efficiency [4][5] - The lower cost of wheeled robot components allows companies to allocate resources towards enhancing other functionalities, such as advanced sensors and manipulation capabilities [7][10] - Wheeled humanoid robots can quickly demonstrate their value in structured environments, leading to faster market adoption and potential revenue generation [7][10] Group 3: Market Trends and Future Outlook - Major players like Tesla are exploring both bipedal and wheeled solutions, indicating a potential shift in industry focus towards more practical applications [9][12] - Startups are increasingly prioritizing functional wheeled robots over bipedal designs, aiming for early market penetration and iterative improvements [9][12] - The future may see a division in application scenarios, with wheeled humanoid robots dominating structured environments while bipedal robots serve niche roles in unstructured settings [12][13]