Uncanny Intel: Robot dance and the $6 billion question (Issue 5 | Oct 20 - Oct 26, 2025)

Oct 20, 2025

Unitree Robotics showed off its full-sized humanoid H2, nicknamed “Destiny Awakening,” performing dance and martial-arts moves. At 180 cm tall and weighing 70 kg, the robot is designed to serve “everyone safely and friendly.”

A viral video showing fluid human-like movements: pirouettes, karate moves, catwalk strut and expressive motion have been making the rounds on social media. It’s a striking display of motor control, though still just a demo. The performance context and real-world proof of durability or autonomy remains unclear.

The demo received mixed reviews from the audience on social media. While there was awe and excitement, some users found the human-like face quite creepy. Another group of commenters questioned how much of the sequence was pre-recorded and scripted.

Oct 21, 2025

Paolo Denti, Co-Founder & CEO of Oversonic Robotics showcased “Robee” the Robot developed for the healthcare industry at Bloomberg Tech in London. Unlike the many recent launches of bipedal humanoid robot, Robee has wheels instead of feet. Paolo explained that this was a conscious choice and wheels are certified for the industry they plan to operate in and also saves on energy.

The demo was underwhelming from start to finish, the robot stuttered to do tasks like answer a basic math question or hold a simple conversation. It even failed to hand over a bottle of water to the show’s host. Eventually, Paolo admitted that they are far away from the vision of humanoid robots in healthcare or in the home. The biggest focus is now on data collection which will make the robots safer.

Polish startup SI Robotics is building full-sized humanoid robots rooted in what they call Physical AI—machines that don’t just see their environment but feel and control their own body.

SI Robotics is a Polish startup founded in 2024 that is developing a European humanoid-robotics platform. They’re starting in industrial/defence spaces (recycling, EV-battery disassembly, wartime manufacturing) because tasks are high-mix and rigid automation fails there. They’re working with 20+ industrial & defence firms, with proposals under evaluation and pilot site visits scheduled.

Their first humanoid platform, Joule, features a flexible spine, haptic/proprioceptive sensing (feeling arm position, pressure, texture) rather than just relying on vision. They aim to reduce task-imitation time from 8-12 weeks down to <4 weeks by late 2026 through dataset reuse. They also emphasise full-stack in-house hardware (actuators, control boards, electronics) to reduce reliance on external supply chains - especially in Europe where many components are imported.

Key next milestone: a November 2025 private showcase in Warsaw for Joule walking autonomously. Their long-term vision: humanoids assisting humans in industrial environments now, later in homes, with Europe reclaiming leadership in robotics.

Read the full interview here.

This month, robotics stopped being a niche curiosity and became an investment magnet. More than $6 billion poured into the field in October 2025 alone, signaling that “physical AI” — robots that learn by moving and sensing the world — is finally catching mainstream attention.

The new energy comes from advances in so-called world models, AI systems that can predict what happens when a robot acts in the real world. These models help machines learn from trial and error instead of following rigid scripts. Combined with better hardware, cloud sharing, and cheaper sensors, humanoid robots are starting to move less like props and more like learners.

Still, the hype hides hard problems. Today’s humanoids work best in staged conditions. Put them in a real kitchen or warehouse, and they stumble on the unpredictable — mess, humans, wet floors. The article argues that the sector’s success now depends on whether robots can handle this messy reality, not just choreographed demos.

In short: robotics is riding an investor high, but credibility will come only when those billions turn into bots that can do more than dance for the camera.

This week it’s all performance and showcases, distracting from lack of real progress. One robot danced and everyone clapped. But the real test will be when these robots leave the demo floor and start living with us - without tripping over the coffee table.