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Barclays Brief
Barclays Brief

Rise of the humanoid robots

20 January 2026 12:10 Barclays Investment Bank

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About this episode

Humanoid robotics is moving from experimentation and into a true economic inflection point. The market, valued at just $2–3bn today, is projected to expand to ~$40bn by 2035 in the base case*, with upside scenarios approaching $200bn as physical AI scales across labour‑intensive sectors.

In this episode of the Barclays Brief, Zornitsa Todorova, Head of Thematic FICC Research, joins host Patrick Coffey to unpack the shift from software‑driven AI to physical AI - the fusion of cognitive intelligence with advanced electromechanical “brawn” that enables humanoid robots to operate in human‑designed environments.

Together, they break down the macro forces accelerating adoption: ageing populations, tightening labour markets, and demographic mismatches across manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, and healthcare. They also explore how breakthroughs across the “three Bs” — brains, brawn, and batteries — have driven a 30‑fold cost collapse, positioning humanoids as a viable automation solution.

Listen in for the strategic perspective on how this shift could redefine long‑term investment themes.

Listeners can hear more on this topic:

•Barclays Brief #13 – AI: The macro game changer

•Barclays Brief #12 - Robotaxis: The future of mobility

•Barclays Brief #4 - AI Revolution: China’s Five-Year Plan

Clients can read more on Barclays Live:

•AI gets physical: Innovation meets opportunity

•150 investor trends to 2035: Navigating polarised outcomes

Important Content Disclosures

Important non-Research Content Disclosures

*Source: AlphaSense, Barclays Research

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