Rodney Brooks, the roboticist and iRobot cofounder, argues that today’s humanoid robots face a fundamental obstacle: machines still lack the touch sensing and touch data needed to learn humanlike dexterity reliably. He also doubts that one human-shaped machine will be the best tool for every job. That is a prominent expert’s critique and forecast—not proof that humanoid robots cannot improve, or that a particular company’s plans will fail.
What is Brooks warning about?
In an October 3, 2025, report, Futurism described Brooks’s argument in a blog post from the previous month. His concern is not simply that robots need more training. It is that dexterity depends on touch, and the information involved in touch is difficult to capture and use as training data.
Brooks put the concern bluntly: “To think we can teach dexterity to a machine without understanding what components make up touch, without being able to measure touch sensations, and without being able to store and replay touch is probably dumb. And an expensive mistake.” Fortune revisited the argument on February 25, 2026, and reported Brooks saying, “we do not have such a tradition for touch data”.
Why does touch data matter for dexterity?
Vision can help a robot identify an object and where it is. But manipulating it also means responding to contact: how firmly to grip, whether an object is slipping, and how to adjust when its shape or resistance differs from expectation. Those are examples of why touch is relevant to dexterity; Brooks’s central point is that a system needs touch information it can sense, measure, store, and use for learning.
#1 Best Overall
- 【BRILLIANT GIFT IDEA FOR KIDS】It's a big surprise to kids as the robot is up to 15.8 inches in height. With various pioneering ways to play, it can build kids' imagination and creativity. Kids will love this Birthday or Christmas gift!
- 【STEM LEARNING ROBOT】With 10 expressions, 9 flexible joints, and 10 songs, this robot moves more dynamically than typical toys—making playtime more engaging and lifelike. It's a fun way for kids to explore basic programming while building logic, creativity, and coordination!
- 【DIVERSE FUNCTIONS】Gymnastics, storytelling, dance, music, and recording—the Ruko robot enriches childhood with creativity and early artistic exploration. More than just a toy, it’s a fun, engaging friend!
- 【RECHARGEABLE & LONG-LASTING】 Enjoy up to 100 minutes of playtime on a full charge, giving kids plenty of time to play, explore, and have fun without frequent battery changes.
- 【CHARGING REMINDER】For proper charging, please use the original cable included in the package. USB-C to USB-C cables are not supported and will not charge the device. Charge Before Use: No response? Charge for 30 mins first.
Collecting demonstrations or spending more on training does not, by itself, establish that a robot has learned those skills. The important question is whether the robot can use tactile information to perform a task reliably—not merely whether it can reproduce a movement in a demonstration. Brooks’s claim that current humanoids will not learn dexterity despite substantial investment is his assessment, not a controlled comparison of robot systems.
Why might useful robots stop looking human?
A humanlike body can make sense in spaces and workplaces designed for people, where existing tools, controls, and paths may suit a person’s reach and movement. But resemblance is not automatically an engineering advantage. A different job may be done better by a machine with a different way to move or handle objects.
Rank #2
- 【Humanoid Robot with ESP32】 Powered by ESP32 and 17 intelligent servos, Tonybot smart humanoid robot delivers smooth, dynamic performance. Use the app to easily control it for walking, dancing, kicking, and more. Tonybot can stand up automatically, which is great for playing football and performing gymnastics.
- 【Multimodal Large AI Models】Powered by an AI model module that combines language, voice, and vision models, Tonybot Ultimate Kit unlocks advanced embodied AI functions such as natural conversation and scene understanding. (Ultimate Kit Only)
- 【AI Vision & Voice Interaction】Equipped with an ESP32-S3 vision module and voice interaction module, Tonybot AI robot enables offline face recognition, target tracking, visual line following, voice control, and more. Customize commands and train it to be your AI assistant.
- 【Expandable AI Development with Sensors】 Tonybot robot kit comes with an ultrasonic sensor, IMU sensor, buzzer, and supports modules like dot matrix display, fan, temp/humidity sensors, and WiFi for endless AI-driven development.
- 【3 Programming Options & Comprehensive Tutorials】Tonybot smart AI robot supports Arduino, Python, and Scratch programming, with open-source low-level code and step-by-step tutorials covering everything from beginner learning to advanced humanoid robot development.
Brooks predicts a shift toward specialized designs rather than one humanoid form as an all-purpose assistant. Futurism quoted him forecasting that some humanoids may get wheels for feet, with forms that no longer closely resemble human legs, and that many robots will have different forms for different specialized jobs. This is a prediction about where useful designs may go, not an established market outcome.
What do Musk’s Optimus forecasts establish—and what do they not?
Futurism’s October 2025 article attributed ambitious financial expectations for Optimus to Elon Musk. Those expectations should be read as forecasts, not as achieved revenue, proven economics, or independently validated estimates.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- 6 Fun Robot-Shaped Toys – Includes 6 colorful robots (red, yellow, blue, green, purple, orange) with stretchy pop tube arms & legs for endless bending, twisting, and sticking fun!
- Strong Suction Cup Base – Each robot’s hands and feet have powerful suction cups that securely stick to glass, mirrors, tiles, and smooth surfaces, making them perfect for travel and on-the-go play.
- Sensory & Fidget-Friendly – Helps calm anxiety, improve focus, and relieve stress, making them ideal for autistic kids, ADHD, or anyone who loves fidget toys.
- Perfect Gift & Multi-Use Fun – Great for birthdays, Easter baskets, stocking stuffers, party favors, classroom rewards, or Valentine’s gifts – a hit with kids ages 3-9!
- Safe & Durable – Made from child-safe, non-toxic materials, these stretchy robot toys are BPA-free and designed for long-lasting play.
| Reported figure | What it refers to | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| More than $10 trillion | Long-term Optimus revenue projected by Musk, as reported by Futurism in October 2025 | A company-leader forecast; the report does not establish it as realized revenue or an independently supported estimate. |
| 80% of Tesla’s value | The share of Tesla’s value Musk reportedly said robots could represent, in Futurism’s October 2025 report | A forecast about potential value, not evidence that robots already account for that share. |
| 5,000 robots in 2025 | A production target reported by Futurism in October 2025 | The same report described a shortfall and attributed a technical issue to The Information. This is a dated report, not a statement of current production status. |
For a finance-minded reader, the distinction is between a large potential market and evidence that a product can do valuable work at scale. A revenue projection does not answer whether a robot can complete tasks dependably, how much it costs to operate, or whether customers will pay enough to support the business. The cited reporting does not provide the data needed to settle those questions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should readers assess competing robot claims?
Public demonstrations, production targets, and business forecasts answer different questions. To assess claims about humanoids—including Optimus—look for evidence on the specific capability and the conditions under which it was shown.
Rank #4
- STEAM Learning Made Fun, Building 4C Skills: Yonbo makes learning a blast, the ideal robot for kids aged 4-12 and up! 🚀 It brings STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, Math) to life through fun play. 💡With Yonbo, kids develop essential 4C skills—creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration—while having a great time. Forget boring lessons or too much screen time, educational robot Yonbo helps kids learn by doing, thinking and imagining. It’s education, but fun and exciting! 🧠✨
- Your Child’s Emotional Robot Companion: This companion robot Yonbo isn’t just a toy – it’s a friend who gets your kid! 😊 With over 100 facial expressions, tones, and movements, emo robot Yonbo reacts to your child’s feelings in real-time. Happy? It dances! Sad? It shows empathy. It’s more than a robot kids toy – it’s a fun, emotional sidekick that kids can bond with, while parents enjoy knowing their child is in good hands. A robot friend, not a gadget! 💖🤖
- Interactive and Immersive Playtime: Goodbye boring playtime! 👋 Interactive robot Yonbo takes fun to a whole new level by recognizing sight, sound and scenes. Yonbo brings stories to life with immersive, interactive fun. 🎧👀 It sings, tells stories and even lets kids embark on imaginary adventures. With sound, action and facial expressions combined, Yonbo creates a whole new world for kids to explore! It’s not just watch a screen – it’s getting involved, and kids’ creativity has no limits! 🌟🎤
- Personalized Play with Customizable AI: Every kid is unique, and so is Yonbo ai robot! 😎 You can totally customize intelligent robot Yonbo’s personality and behavior, based on your child’s interests and even their MBTI personality type. Customizable robot Yonbo takes on any role with style, making every interaction fun and tailored to your child’s imagination. The adventure is always personal! 🦸♀️🐶
- Parental Peace of Mind with Full Control: Parents, you’re in charge – but you can still let your kid enjoy some independence! 😌 With the Yonbo app, you can set the kids robot toy’s personality, monitor interactions, and even get alerts when something’s up. Whether you’re cooking or working, you can control Yonbo robot remotely, ensuring your child is safe and happy. It’s like having a fun, educational robot assistant who also respects your parenting style. 🛠️👨👩👧👦
- Dexterity: What objects and tasks can the robot handle, and how consistently?
- Touch: What tactile sensing does it use, and what evidence shows that the robot can learn from touch information?
- Training: What kind of data supports the task, and does performance hold beyond the examples used to train or demonstrate it?
- Form: Does a humanlike body help with this job and environment, or would a specialized design be more suitable?
- Deployment: Is the evidence a staged demonstration, a production target, or repeated work in an operating setting?
- Economics: Are there disclosed costs and customer results, or only forecasts about future revenue and value?
The Futurism and Fortune reports present Brooks’s critique, not a systematic evaluation of Tesla Optimus against robots from Figure, Unitree, or other developers. They therefore support understanding the argument, but not ranking current products or declaring which business will succeed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Remote Control and Hand Gesture Control:This gesture sensing robot not only can be controlled by infrared controller, but also can turn left ,turn right, slide backward, and slide forward according to how your hand gesture commands; Multi function includes auto display and obstacles avoidance as well;The toy robot’s eyes light up with bright blue illuminating LED when it moves;
- Intelligent Programming: This smart robot toy can demonstrating a set of 50 actions inputted by the user.If you switch programming function,this Interactive robot will playback using its moves record feature to repeat the movement one by one as you created like turn left+turn right+walk forward+walk backward+patrol+dance+and many others action mode you selected;
- Premium Material:This Remote Control Robot is made of non-toxic ABS plastic, with flexible multi-joint in shoulder,elbows and thumbs ,and the bottom skating wheels are pretty sturdy to well carry out a various combination of moves;This playful robot really entertain your kids and bring you endless joys;
- Convenient Rechargeable Robot Toy:this RC robot is powered by built-in batteries.Directly connect to USB charging interface like your power bank,plug,computers.Rechargeable way saves your money for batteries and you only recharge the robot about 2 hours, and its playtime is about 60 minutes;
- Ideal Birthday Xmas Gift & Kids Intimate Companion : The infrared control Robot is versatile and vivid can dance,sing,walk,patrol,even can speak.Each robot measures 5.9 x 3.3 x 10.6 inch.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems
