Although enthusiasm for humanoid robots is spreading, skepticism about human-shaped designs is growing among some Silicon Valley investors. They argue that robots tailored to specific tasks are more efficient in industrial settings and that humanoids can be more about demonstrations than practicality. Funding is moving to wheeled general-purpose robots and industrial automation. Supporters counter that successful humanoids could target manufacturing, logistics, services and homes, and investment in the sector is rising sharply.

Three additional U.S. investors holding shares in Coupang have submitted notices of intent to arbitrate, challenging South Korea’s response to a personal data leak case, industry sources said. Abrams Capital, Durable Capital Partners and Foxhaven said they will also join legal objections filed by Green Oaks and Altimeter. The Justice Ministry said the new claimants relied on the same factual assertions as earlier filings and that the government will respond through an inter-agency dispute response team.