JPMorgan forecasts humanoid robots will replace warehouse workers as automation costs drop to $10 per hour, undercutting human labor.
JPMorgan projects humanoid robots will see surging demand in U.S. manufacturing as operational costs fall below $10 per hour. The bank’s analysis highlights a stark cost advantage over human labor, which averages $30 per hour for warehouse workers, amid persistent job vacancies in the sector.
The forecast comes as the industry faces regulatory headwinds, including U.S. restrictions on foreign-made robots. China dominates the market, with firms like Unitree and AGIBOT shipping over 5,000 units each in 2025, compared to hundreds from U.S. competitors Tesla and Figure AI.
Beijing has criticized the FCC’s import ban, vowing to protect Chinese businesses. The shift toward automation could reshape labor dynamics in manufacturing, though adoption timelines remain uncertain.