- Hyundai's union opposes the introduction of humanoid robots without prior agreement, sparking a partial strike in South Korea.
- The United States has banned the entry of new Chinese humanoid robots for national security reasons, benefiting local manufacturers.
- WisdomTree launches an ETF focused on physical artificial intelligence, including humanoids and drones, to attract investor interest.
- Professor Luis Sentís, founder of Apptronik, advocates for human-centered robotics and predicts exponential growth of humanoids in Spain.
Humanoid robotics has moved beyond the laboratory as a promising concept and become a battleground where industrial interests, government regulations, and labor demands converge. While investors see these robots as a business opportunity, workers fear for their jobs, and governments are trying to protect their supply chains. In recent weeks, three issues have dominated the news: the strike at Hyundai over the arrival of the Atlas humanoid robot, the FCC's ban on Chinese robots, and the launch of an ETF specializing in physical artificial intelligence.
The debate isn't new, but the speed at which humanoid robots are advancing—like Boston Dynamics' Atlas or Apptronik's developments—has accelerated events. In Spain, Professor Luis Sentís, founder of Apptronik, asserts that the humanoid population in cities like Austin is growing exponentially and that the same will happen in Barcelona and Madrid. Meanwhile, global investment in this sector has jumped from $40 million to $40.000 billion in just four years, according to Sentís himself.
The labor dispute at Hyundai: the Atlas robot as the trigger
The Hyundai metalworkers' union, with nearly 40.000 members, has strongly protested the company's intention to introduce next-generation robots into its factories without prior agreement. The conflict centers on Atlas, the humanoid robot from Boston Dynamics , a company controlled by Hyundai, which the Korean group presents as its commitment to physical artificial intelligence. The workers are not opposed to the machine itself, but to its implementation without prior negotiation. They demand that any robot based on new technologies require an agreement between the parties before entering the production facilities.
The demands are accompanied by a salary platform: a 30% bonus on net profit, an increase in the retirement age from 60 to 65, a rise in base salary, and a fixed monthly compensation system that eliminates reliance on overtime. The company has offered proposals far removed from these demands , citing a drop in profits in 2025 and the need to set aside funds for investments. In mid-July, the conflict escalated into a three-day partial strike at the main Korean factories, with two-hour work stoppages per shift.
This standoff is not an isolated case. It's part of a wave of mobilizations sweeping across the Korean industrial system, from Samsung Electronics to SK Hynix, and now reaching the automotive sector. Hyundai workers garnered 87% of the vote in favor of the mobilization , demonstrating internal support for a struggle that transcends mere wages. The fundamental question is who decides how and when automation takes place, and how the benefits of increased productivity are distributed.
FCC ban: US closes door on Chinese humanoids
On July 28, 2026, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission added two categories to its list of banned equipment: advanced robotic devices—humanoid and quadruped—and connected power inverters. The measure directly affects Chinese manufacturers like Unitree , which will be unable to obtain authorization for new models in the U.S. market. Robots already sold or authorized remain operational, but future generations are excluded.
The FCC justifies the decision by citing cybersecurity risks, supply chain vulnerabilities, and the possibility of remote surveillance by foreign actors. The definition of an "advanced robotic device" is broad : any machine that moves across the ground, navigates, or avoids obstacles, equipped with sensors and connectivity, and weighs more than two kilograms. This could even include advanced robotic vacuum cleaners, such as those from DJI.
China has condemned the decision and is threatening retaliation. Meanwhile, US companies like Tesla, Figure AI, Agility Robotics, and Apptronik are benefiting from the reduced competition. The ban isn't total, but it marks a turning point in the geopolitics of robotics . For European and Spanish startups, the measure opens a window of opportunity: if they manage to manufacture outside of China, they can access the US market with fewer rivals.
The rise of investment in physical artificial intelligence
While labor and regulatory disputes dominate headlines, the financial world is making its move. WisdomTree, a leading ETF provider, has launched the WisdomTree Physical AI, Humanoids and Drones UCITS ETF (WPAI), with a 0,45% fee. The fund is listed on several European exchanges , including Xetra, Borsa Italiana, Euronext Paris, and SIX Swiss Exchange, and will be listed in London on February 19, 2026.
The ETF tracks its own index that monitors companies involved in physical artificial intelligence, with five categories: humanoid robotics, drones and autonomous mobility, smart factories, next-generation logistics, and emerging applications in healthcare, agriculture, construction, and defense. The current focus is on humanoids and drones , explains Pierre Debru, head of research in Europe at WisdomTree. The idea is to offer investors early exposure to an ecosystem that is still developing, where the long-term winners are not yet clear.
This financial movement reflects the confidence that physical artificial intelligence—machines that operate autonomously in the real world—will be the next major technological cycle. Global investment in humanoids has increased from $40 million to $40.000 billion in four years , according to Luis Sentís, indicating that capital is betting heavily on this technology.
The development of humanoid robotics in Spain and Europe
On the technological front, the figure of Luis Sentís, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Texas and founder of Apptronik, is key. Sentís developed the theory of 'whole body control ,' which allows robots to walk and manipulate objects simultaneously, and is now working on 'whole body communication,' where the robot gathers information from its environment to provide services to people. His company, Apptronik, has opened a center for training robots through the massive collection of real-world data.
Sentís, who began his postgraduate studies at Stanford thanks to a grant from the "la Caixa" Foundation, advocates for human-centered robotics. Robots need emotions to communicate better , not to replace humans, he asserts. In his opinion, manufacturing costs have fallen dramatically: a humanoid robot can be obtained for around 3.000 euros, making them affordable for factories, hospitals, and homes.
For Spain and Europe, the outlook is promising. Sentís predicts that the exponential growth of humanoid robots seen in Austin will be replicated in Barcelona and Madrid. The combination of European NextGen funds, local startups like Theker Robotics —which is collaborating with Mango on logistics automation—and investor interest creates a favorable ecosystem. However, US regulations and labor disputes in Korea serve as a reminder that the path will not be easy.
Humanoid robotics is advancing at an unstoppable pace, but its implementation raises questions that go far beyond technology. Who decides how robots are introduced, how the benefits of automation are distributed, and which countries control the supply chain are issues that will define the future of work and industry. While investors bet on the next big leap, workers and governments are trying not to be left behind on a rapidly reshaping global playing field.