Humanoid robots need an ERP to deliver value at scale

There’s a gym under construction at Munich airport. No humans will ever workout here. This is the TUM RoboGym¹ (powered by NEURA) – a training center designed to prepare humanoid robots for industrial deployment. 

This is not science fiction, it is the new industrial reality. The era of humanoid robotics is upon us. Companies across Asia, the U.S., and now Europe are harnessing the power of fast-improving AI technologies to build out Industry 5.0. The ability of a new generation of humanoid robots to perceive environments, make decisions, and learn manual tasks makes them viable and, in many cases, superior alternatives to human beings.  

According to Hyundai CEO José Muñoz, for example, the auto giant will soon begin deploying Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot in its manufacturing facilities. It plans to establish a production system capable of manufacturing 30,000 robots² annually by 2028. On an even larger scale, Elon Musk has announced Tesla’s intention to take the Model S and X vehicle production space in its Fremont factory and convert it into a factory producing its Optimus robot – with the long-term goal of building a million units per year³.  

These examples aren’t isolated; they are indicative of the widespread and serious commitment to physical AI technology that is expected to see the global humanoid robot market grow from $2.92 billion in 2025 to $15.26 billion in 2030⁴ and a total addressable market of approximately $9 trillion⁵ by 2050. 

This level of interest is no surprise when you think about the potential cost and productivity gains available from (as BMW put it) a “team member that never tires, lifts heavy components and is built entirely from high-tech.”⁶ Humanoid robots don’t mind working 24/7, they don’t get ill or require vacations, and would operate at full effectiveness in mostly-automated, energy-cost-minimizing ‘dark factories’ (such as Chinese automaker Zeekr’s Ningbo plant⁷). Compared with a human workforce, the commercial rationale for robots is increasingly compelling. 

ERPs enable the robotic revolution 

While much interest in humanoid robotics centers on the physical capabilities of Aeon, Atlas, Optimus and their like, ultimately successful deployment will hinge on seamless integration with optimized ERP platforms. ERPs provide the essential control layer for all automation assets, including physical AI (like humanoid robots). The platforms act as the master system that orchestrates robot actions at scale across business processes, master data, and IT systems. 

ERPs will fuel robots with the precise information required for true proactivity across work orders, safety protocols, bills of materials. Every relevant scrap of data contained within the platform can be channeled to enhance robotic performance. Every robot knows exactly which parts are needed at each production step, and how, when, and where to handle them. 

The importance of this integration cannot be overstated. In highly complex environments tracking thousands of material numbers, ERPs handle the logistical puzzle in real time, continuously feeding accurate work orders to the robotic workforce at a speed and scale that human counterparts simply could not manage. 

Move fast, move decisively 

Of course, there remain some challenges (such as safety protocols⁸) to overcome for widespread deployment. However, be under no illusion, nothing will hold back the tide of humanoid robotics for long. The $9 trillion potential and colossal investments from industry heavyweights underline the level of impact these machines are expected to have on industrial processes. 

Without exaggeration, this could be the largest industrial revolution since the motor car. This makes the opportunity for early movers to gain competitive advantage enormous. While contemplating the scope and schematics of the robotic rollout, however, it’s vital to factor in the optimization and integration of ERPs and AI – the brain that makes the magic happen. 

Industrial manufacturing companies that don't pursue humanoid robotics are likely to be left behind. In a landscape moving this quickly, it is a gap that may prove difficult to close.