Human-like Robot Creates Stir in New York City with its Preference for Hot Dogs, Selfies, and Sneakers
In a groundbreaking forecast, Morgan Stanley's Global Humanoid Model predicts a significant expansion of the humanoid robotics market. By 2050, the market could reach a total addressable worth of over $5 trillion, with nearly one billion humanoid robots in use worldwide.
Morgan Stanley defines humanoid robots as "human-like robots with arms, legs, hands, and brains powered by artificial intelligence." According to the model, China is forecast to lead the market with over 300 million humanoids, driven by strong government support for embedded AI and innovation. The United States will follow closely with around 77.7 million units.
However, high costs will limit domestic adoption to about 10% of total humanoid use, with the majority of robots serving industrial and commercial roles, addressing labor shortages and economic pressures. Adoption is expected to speed up significantly in the late 2030s.
The forecast is based on steady improvements in cost-efficiency, mobility, and general-purpose AI capabilities, as cited in Morgan Stanley’s research reports from mid-2025.
Meanwhile, in the world of marketing, KraneShares, a global asset manager, has been making waves with its new Global Humanoid and Embodied Intelligence Index ETF. To promote the ETF, the company deployed a humanoid robot named KOID for a marketing stunt in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.
KOID, built by Chinese robotics company Unitree and supplied by Long Island-based RoboStore, was priced at approximately $100,000. During the stunt, KOID was seen walking along Fifth Avenue, grabbing a hot dog, posing for selfies, and entering a Hoka store. In the Hoka store, KOID even tried on sneakers with help from startled staff.
While not all reactions to KOID were positive, a blind man praised the technology, suggesting it could one day assist people with issues preventing them from using guide dogs. KOID previously made headlines when it rang the Nasdaq opening bell. The ETF launched in June, and since its launch, KraneShares reports $28 million in assets under management.
KOID operates using Stanford's OpenMind software and is fully programmable, already in use at research labs and universities. As the humanoid robotics market continues to grow, it's clear that robots like KOID will play an increasingly important role in our lives.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrated into humanoid robots, as demonstrated by KOID, could potentially expand into the realm of entertainment, replicating human-like behavior and engaging in activities such as posing for selfies or trying on sneakers. Furthermore, the growing humanoid robotics market, driven by advancements in technology, may lead to increased usage of AI for social media interactions, allowing robots like KOID to better connect with people and foster a more intertwined relationship between technology and human existence.
