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.

Tesla delivered 480,126 vehicles in the second quarter of 2026, beating market forecasts and marking its best second-quarter total. Deliveries rose 25 percent from a year earlier and 34 percent from the first quarter, ending a two-year slide in quarterly deliveries. The company is expanding robotaxi testing and adding a three-row Model Y in the United States. Elsewhere, Rivian, BYD, Xpeng, Toyota, Joby and BMW reported new developments, while extreme heat hit the Tour de France.