Humanoid Robots Are Heading for a $200B Market — These Robotics Stocks Are Cashing In

TLDR

• The humanoid robotics market could grow from ~$2–3 billion today to $200 billion by 2035, per a Barclays report
• Robot production costs have dropped from $3 million per unit a decade ago to around $100,000 today
• AeroVironment posted 143% revenue growth to $408 million with a $1.1 billion funded backlog
• Rockwell Automation reported 12% sales growth and a 36% rise in operating earnings in fiscal Q1 2026
• Symbotic turned profitable with $630 million in revenue, up 29% year over year

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The humanoid robotics market is growing fast, and some companies are already making real money from it. Here is what the data shows.

According to a Barclays report, humanoid robots could become a $200 billion market by 2035. Right now, the market is worth an estimated $2 to $3 billion. That is a big jump, but the numbers driving it are real.

Production costs for humanoid robots have dropped from around $3 million per unit a decade ago to about $100,000 today. Chinese manufacturers have pushed costs even lower using large-scale production and vertically integrated supply chains.

Deployments are accelerating quickly. About 2,000 units were installed in 2024. That rose to 15,000 in 2025 and is projected to hit 60,000 in 2026. China currently makes up about 85% of global deployments, backed by government support.

Barclays describes humanoids as the next phase of automation after industrial machinery and software-based AI. Unlike older robots built for specific tasks, humanoids are designed to work in spaces built for people, using existing tools and infrastructure without needing major changes.

Demand is being driven by aging populations, labor shortages, and growing difficulty filling physically demanding jobs in areas like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and elder care.

The report identifies what it calls the “Three Bs” powering humanoids: brains, which includes AI software and sensors; brawn, covering actuators and mechanical systems; and batteries to power everything.

Robotics Stocks Delivering Real Results

While the long-term projections are large, some companies are already posting strong numbers today.

AeroVironment, which makes defense drones and unmanned systems, reported revenue of $408 million in its fiscal third quarter. That was a 143% jump year over year. Its funded backlog stands at $1.1 billion, and management has set a fiscal 2026 revenue outlook of $1.85 billion to $1.95 billion.

AeroVironment, Inc., AVAV

Rockwell Automation, one of the largest names in industrial automation, posted sales of $2.105 billion in fiscal Q1 2026, up 12% year over year. Total segment operating earnings rose 36% in the same period. Annual recurring revenue grew 7%.

Symbotic, which focuses on warehouse robotics and automated supply chain systems, reported $630 million in revenue for fiscal Q1 2026, up 29% year over year. The company also turned profitable, posting net income of $13 million compared to a net loss of $17 million a year earlier. It has guided for Q2 revenue of $650 million to $670 million.

What This Means for Investors

Wall Street is no longer rewarding robotics companies purely on future promises. The focus has shifted to measurable results: revenue growth, improving margins, and strong order backlogs.

Barclays sees the broader physical AI ecosystem, which includes autonomous vehicles, drones, and advanced robotics, reaching up to $1 trillion by 2035.

Investor exposure options include humanoid manufacturers, component suppliers, and robotics-focused exchange-traded funds.

The three companies covered here each represent different parts of the robotics landscape, from defense drones to factory automation to warehouse systems. All three reported their most recent quarterly results with continued growth and forward guidance pointing higher.