A British robotics firm has unveiled the UK’s first industrial humanoid robot, claiming it will help tackle labour shortages and position the country as a global leader in the sector.
London-based Humanoid, also known as SKL Robotics, developed its first machine, the HMND 01 Alpha, in just seven months. The company says this is the fastest development cycle for a humanoid robot to date. Backed by £41m in founder-led capital, Humanoid has assembled a 175-strong international team including former staff from Apple, Tesla, Google, Boston Dynamics and Nvidia.
Designed for the workplace
The HMND 01 Alpha is a wheeled humanoid robot built for use in warehouses, logistics hubs and retail facilities. Standing 2.2 metres tall and weighing 300kg, the robot can travel at speeds of up to 7.2km/h and carry payloads of up to 15kg, or more if kept close to its body.
Its reach extends from the ground to a height of two metres, making it capable of picking goods from both low and high storage. The robot operates for around four hours on a single battery charge.
With 29 active degrees of freedom and an AI-driven reasoning system, HMND 01 can be fitted with dexterous five-fingered hands or simpler heavy-duty grippers. Its head is equipped with 360-degree cameras and depth sensors, enabling it to operate safely and efficiently in environments designed for humans.
Boosting productivity and working conditions
Humanoid says the machine is intended to support workers rather than replace them. The robot is designed to take on repetitive, physically demanding jobs such as picking, sorting, machine feeding and packaging, freeing people to focus on less strenuous and more meaningful tasks.
“Robots shouldn’t replace people, they should support them,” said Artem Sokolov, Humanoid’s founder. “After scaling my family’s manufacturing business, I saw the toll repetitive work took on employees, including my own grandparents. HMND 01 is built to fill the labour gaps, letting people focus on more valuable work.”
The launch comes as UK manufacturers report more than 58,000 vacancies. Across Europe, more than a quarter of manufacturers cite labour shortages as one of their biggest barriers to growth.
Speed and savings
According to the company, HMND 01’s development cycle was twice as fast and half as costly as traditional approaches, thanks to a proprietary mix of 360-degree simulation training and real-world testing.
Humanoid plans to offer the robots on a Robots-as-a-Service basis. Customers would pay a subscription fee, gaining access to the machines without large upfront costs. The company estimates users could achieve a return on investment quickly, with potential labour cost savings of up to 50%.
Looking ahead
The HMND 01 Alpha is primarily for testing in industrial settings, gathering data on which functions are market-ready and which require refinement. A commercial Beta version is expected in 2026.
Beyond industry, Humanoid also intends to release a two-legged walking model designed for home and service applications.
Mr Sokolov believes this is just the beginning for the UK’s role in robotics. “With one of the world’s strongest talent pools in AI, engineering and advanced manufacturing, the UK offers a rare level of expertise to build world-class robotic systems. We see HMND 01 not just as a machine, but as a step toward a more sustainable and human-centred future of work.”
