Frequently Asked Questions About Humanoids Summit 2025 London
Q: What makes the Humanoids Summit 2025 London special? A: This is Europe’s premier humanoid robotics conference featuring live demos, breakthrough announcements, and insights from global leaders like Google DeepMind, Agility Robotics, and ARIA.
Q: When and where is the event taking place? A: May 29-30, 2025, at Novotel London West, Hammersmith. The venue provides an intimate setting for networking with industry pioneers.
Q: Who should attend this summit? A: Robotics engineers, AI researchers, investors, startup founders, and anyone passionate about the future of humanoid technology and embodied AI.
Q: Will there be live robot demonstrations? A: Yes! Multiple sessions feature live humanoid demos on stage, including presentations from Booster Robotics, Andromeda Robotics, and Pollen Robotics.
The robotics world is buzzing with anticipation as the Humanoids Summit 2025 prepares to make its European debut in London this May. Following the groundbreaking success of its Silicon Valley inaugural event, this summit promises to be the defining moment for Europe’s thriving robotics ecosystem. And guess what? RoboHorizon Magazine will be there live, bringing you exclusive coverage, behind-the-scenes insights, and real-time updates from the heart of humanoid innovation.
For complete event details, check out our comprehensive Humanoids Summit 2025 London coverage.
Why London? Why Now?
London isn’t just hosting another tech conference—it’s becoming the epicenter of a robotics revolution. The city’s unique position as a bridge between European innovation and global markets makes it the perfect stage for this landmark event. As Modar Alaoui, founder of ALM Ventures and chair of Humanoids Summit, puts it: “The London edition will spotlight Europe’s thriving robotics ecosystem—where history meets innovation, and the future takes on a distinctly European twist.”
But what does this mean for the industry? Simply put, we’re witnessing the moment when humanoid robotics transitions from science fiction to commercial reality. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, with Goldman Sachs projecting the global humanoid robot market to reach $38 billion by 2035, potentially growing to $154 billion.
The Star-Studded Speaker Lineup: Who’s Shaping the Future?
Opening Day Powerhouses (May 29)
The summit kicks off with Rich Walker, Director of Shadow Robot Company, delivering the opening keynote on “Dexterous Hands: The Next Generations.” Shadow Robot has been pioneering robotic hand technology for over two decades, and Walker’s insights into tactile manipulation could unlock the final frontier in humanoid dexterity.
Jenny Read from ARIA (Advanced Research + Invention Agency) will present “Smarter Robot Bodies,” offering a glimpse into the UK government’s ambitious robotics research agenda. ARIA, often called “Britain’s DARPA,” is investing heavily in breakthrough robotics technologies that could revolutionize how we think about robot embodiment.
Thomas Krüger from the European Space Agency will present “Next-Gen Human-Robot Collaboration for Space Missions,” showcasing how humanoids could enable future lunar and Mars missions. ESA’s Human Robot Interaction Lab is pioneering the technologies that will make space exploration safer and more efficient.
The day’s highlight features a fireside chat between Remi Cadene from Hugging Face and Santiago Pavon from Pollen Robotics, discussing their groundbreaking acquisition and its impact on open-source humanoid development. This conversation could reshape how we approach democratized robotics development.
Aron Kisdi from Autodiscovery will deliver a thought-provoking presentation on “Humanoid Robots and the C-word: Why We Need to Talk About Consciousness Again,” complete with a live humanoid demo that promises to challenge our understanding of machine consciousness.
Google DeepMind Takes Center Stage (May 30)
Day two opens with Pras Velagapudi, CTO of Agility Robotics, presenting “Humanoid Robots and the Path to Real-World Skills.” Agility’s Digit robot has been making waves in warehouse automation, and Velagapudi’s insights into practical deployment could provide the roadmap for widespread humanoid adoption.
Jarad Cannon, CTO of Humanoid, will present “Inside a Hardcore Humanoid Robotics Company,” offering a rare glimpse into the challenges and breakthroughs of building commercial humanoid systems.
The afternoon keynote features a double-header from Google DeepMind: Francesco Nori and Nicolas Heess will present “Learning to Act: DeepMind’s Approach to Humanoids.” This session promises to reveal how one of the world’s leading AI research labs is tackling the challenge of embodied intelligence.
European Innovation Spotlight
David Reger, Founder and CEO of NEURA Robotics, will present “Cognitive Robots — Enabling AI to Act Physically,” showcasing Germany’s approach to intelligent robotics systems.
Werner Kraus, Head of Robotics at Fraunhofer Institute, will discuss “Application Potential of Humanoid Robots in Germany,” providing insights into Europe’s largest applied research organization’s vision for humanoid deployment.
Luis Sentis, Co-founder of Apptronik and Professor at UT Austin, will participate in the space robotics panel, bringing his expertise in bipedal locomotion and space applications.
The Dexterity Panel: Solving Robotics’ Final Frontier
One of the summit’s most anticipated sessions is the “Dexterity: The Final Frontier” panel, moderated by Tom Anderson from STIQ. The panel brings together:
- Rich Walker (Shadow Robot Company) - The pioneer of robotic hands
- Rob Knight (The Robot Studio) - Creator of the open-source HOPE humanoid
- Jay Li (Proception) - AI-driven manipulation specialist
- Aadeel Akhtar (Psyonic) - Bionic prosthetics innovator
- Francesca Cini (Prensilia) - Advanced gripper technology
- Harpal Mandaher (Sarcomere Dynamics) - Muscle-inspired actuators
This panel represents the collective wisdom of the industry’s top dexterity experts, discussing the technical and commercial challenges of creating truly capable robotic hands.
Investment Insights: The VC Perspective
The summit features a heavyweight investor panel titled “Investing in the Humanoid Robotics Ecosystem: A VC Perspective,” featuring:
- James Wise (Balderton Capital) - Leading European VC with deep tech focus
- Ted Persson (EQT Ventures) - Scandinavian investment powerhouse
- Stephen George (InterAlpen Partners) - Founding managing partner
- Ariel Rahamim (Concept Ventures) - Early-stage robotics specialist
This panel will provide crucial insights into funding trends, valuation metrics, and what investors are looking for in the next generation of humanoid startups.
Live Demonstrations: Seeing is Believing
What sets this summit apart from typical conferences is the emphasis on live demonstrations. Attendees will witness cutting-edge humanoids in action, including:
- Booster T1 Humanoid from Booster Robotics, showcasing developer-friendly platforms
- Andromeda Robotics demonstrating “Where Technology Meets Empathy”
- Pollen Robotics presenting their open-source approach to embodied AI
- Psyonic’s advanced bionic hands for both humans and robots
- Autodiscovery’s consciousness-exploring humanoid demonstration
These aren’t just static displays—these are working demonstrations that show the current state of the art in humanoid technology.
Breakout Sessions: Deep Dives into Specialized Topics
The summit’s breakout sessions offer intimate discussions on specialized topics:
Technical Deep Dives
- Actuator Technology with Novanta’s advanced solutions
- Sensor-Actuator Integration featuring Renesas semiconductor innovations
- Physical Intelligence exploring AI integration in robotic systems
- Schaeffler Humanoid Solutions - supplier, user, and industrialization partner perspectives
Market and Business Focus
- Humanoids in China examining global market dynamics with Aska Liu (EnduX)
- Product-Market Fit for human-like robots with Stephan Gravert (Mimic Robotics)
- Talent at Scale addressing workforce development challenges
Emerging Applications
- Exoskeletons and Performance Enhancement with Dr. Matthew Dickinson
- Caring with Humanoids - rethinking care robots with Rafael Hostettler (Devanthro)
- Social and Emotional Robots improving user acceptance with Tosh Brown (Blueskeye)
Space Robotics: The Final Frontier
A dedicated panel on “Space Humanoids” brings together experts from ESA, DLR, and Apptronik to discuss how humanoid robots will enable future space missions. Thomas Krüger (ESA), Maximo Roa (DLR), and Luis Sentis (Apptronik) will explore how humanoids could be the key to establishing sustainable human presence beyond Earth.
European Robotics Ecosystem Spotlight
The summit deliberately highlights Europe’s unique contributions to robotics:
- UK Innovation: ARIA’s government-backed research initiatives
- German Engineering: Fraunhofer Institute’s application-focused approach
- European Space Agency: Leading space robotics development
- Scandinavian Investment: EQT Ventures’ strategic funding approach
This European focus provides a counterbalance to Silicon Valley’s dominance in robotics discourse, showcasing the continent’s distinctive approach to humanoid development.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
The Humanoids Summit 2025 London represents more than just another tech conference. It’s a pivotal moment in the commercialization of humanoid robotics. The visibility and impact of research and innovation depend heavily on how well they’re communicated to the broader community, and this summit serves as that crucial communication bridge.
This event connects researchers, investors, and industry practitioners in a way that could accelerate the entire field’s development, bringing together the brightest minds to solve the remaining challenges in humanoid robotics.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect
The summit’s agenda suggests several key themes will dominate discussions:
Open Source vs. Proprietary Development: The Hugging Face-Pollen Robotics acquisition highlights the tension between open and closed development models.
Dexterity Breakthroughs: Multiple sessions focus on robotic manipulation, suggesting this remains the critical bottleneck for practical humanoid deployment.
Investment Readiness: The strong VC presence indicates the industry is moving from research to commercial viability.
European Leadership: The summit positions Europe as a serious competitor to Silicon Valley in humanoid development.
Consciousness and Ethics: Sessions on robot consciousness and empathy suggest the industry is grappling with deeper philosophical questions.
Registration and Networking Opportunities
The summit offers multiple networking opportunities:
- VIP Reception with live music and roaming humanoids
- General networking sessions throughout both days
- Breakout session discussions for deeper technical exchanges
- Exhibition area for hands-on technology exploration
For those interested in attending, registration is available through the official Humanoids Summit website, with techUK members receiving a 15% discount using code HSTECHUK.
What RoboHorizon Will Cover Live
Our team will be on the ground providing comprehensive coverage:
- Real-time updates from keynote presentations
- Exclusive interviews with speakers and exhibitors
- Technical deep dives into demonstrated technologies
- Investment insights from VC panels
- Startup spotlights from fire pitch sessions
- Behind-the-scenes access to networking events## The RoboHorizon Advantage
As your trusted source for robotics intelligence, RoboHorizon Magazine will provide unparalleled coverage of this landmark event.
We’ll be asking the tough questions: How close are we really to practical humanoid deployment? What are the remaining technical hurdles? Which companies are positioned to lead the next wave of innovation?
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Humanoid Robotics
The Humanoids Summit 2025 London isn’t just about showcasing current technology—it’s about charting the course for the next decade of humanoid development. With Europe’s unique blend of technical excellence, regulatory thoughtfulness, and market sophistication, this summit could establish London as a global hub for responsible humanoid innovation.
Whether you’re a researcher pushing the boundaries of embodied AI, an investor seeking the next breakthrough opportunity, or simply someone fascinated by the future of human-robot interaction, this summit promises to deliver insights that will shape the industry for years to come.
Stay tuned to RoboHorizon Magazine for comprehensive live coverage, exclusive interviews, and in-depth analysis from the Humanoids Summit 2025 London. The future of robotics is being written in London this May—and we’ll be there to document every breakthrough moment.
For more information about the Humanoids Summit 2025 London, visit humanoidssummit.com. Follow RoboHorizon Magazine for live updates and exclusive coverage from the event.