Major Industry Shifts in Humanoid Robot Battery Technology

Daily Technology

29/01/2026

Explosive Demand Growth for Solid-State Batteries in Humanoid Robots

TrendForce forecasts an unprecedented surge in demand for solid-state batteries within the humanoid robot sector, projecting usage to hit 74 GWh by 2035—a dramatic increase from just 0.05 GWh in 2026. This trend is driven by the need for robots with longer endurance and higher load-bearing capabilities. The shift towards solid-state batteries underscores their advantages in energy density and operational safety, essential traits for increasingly autonomous and commercially viable humanoid robots.

Transition from Liquid Lithium to Solid-State Batteries

Current humanoid robots predominantly utilize liquid lithium-ion batteries due to their proven track record for robotic applications. However, escalating requirements for longer operation times are pushing manufacturers towards solid-state lithium batteries. Notable cases include Unitree’s H1 humanoid robot, which uses a 0.864 kWh lithium pack for less than four hours of operation, and Tesla’s Optimus Gen2 employing a 2.3 kWh high-nickel battery for two hours of active runtime. As demands intensify, the market is rapidly shifting towards high-energy-density solid-state solutions.

Battery Swapping and Plug-and-Play Technologies for Extended Runtime

To extend robot operating hours, companies are deploying battery swap strategies utilizing plug-and-play systems that allow hot-swapping batteries without rebooting the system. Agility Robotics’ Digit and Apptronik’s Apollo are prime examples, leveraging this approach to theoretically enable 24-hour continuous service. This innovation addresses the downtime and efficiency challenges posed by limited battery life in real-world deployments.

Advanced Battery Choices for Targeted Applications

While high-nickel ternary lithium batteries (NMC/NCA) remain dominant for machines with greater performance needs, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are favored in conversational robots and entry-level devices due to their cost-effectiveness. These trends highlight differentiation in battery strategy based on specific use cases and operational demands. For example, Tesla and other advanced robotics manufacturers focus on maximizing energy density, while conversational robot makers concentrate on affordability and sufficient runtime.

Early Commercialization and Rapid Technology Iteration

The humanoid robot sector is reaching a pivotal moment, with TrendForce predicting global shipments to surpass 50,000 units in 2026—a more than 700% annual growth. Key players like Xpeng, which developed its first robot prototype to automotive standards, signal the industry’s move toward mass production. As core technologies rapidly evolve, battery solutions will continue adapting, though scenario exploration for commercial deployment remains the industry’s top priority over battery optimization.

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