Humanoid robots are long-standing icons of the future alongside space travel and flying cars. Academic and corporate workshops have built humanoid robots for decades, but they have largely been oddities, not productive workers. Meta is working on integrating its own AI technology with humanoid robots, and Google researchers are collaborating with Austin-based humanoid robot start-up Apptronik. Agility Chief Business Officer Daniel Diez said facilities like this represent a first step for humanoid robots into gainful employment. He foresees a future in which humanoid robots provide care to older people and companionship for everyone.