Why robots still can't match humans - and what's holding them back

In January 2026, Sky News reporter Rowland Manthorpe visited the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and staged a mock boxing match against a Unitree G1 humanoid robot. The bout revealed the G1’s strength in recovering from a heavy kick yet its inability to dodge blows, underscoring balance and agility as the main stumbling blocks for today’s humanoids. Manthorpe also demoed a laundry‑folding robot from Dyna that can work 16 hours a day but requires four days of remote set‑up and cannot pick up clothes on its own— a cost‑driven, $3,000‑$5,000 monthly hire for hotel suites. Interviews with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Boston Dynamics’ Aya Durbin highlighted how generative AI is accelerating progress, yet a robot‑butler that can “think” and “feel” remains years away.