# What are the 5 types of robots?

**There is no single official list of robot types.** Classifications differ by field. On DEPLOY's record, the physical-AI machines we track sort into families by form factor. The five largest are aerial drones, humanoid robots, autonomous mobile robots, maritime robots, and agricultural robots, each with real machines you can point to. The full family tree, with counts and examples, is below.

Last verified Jul 25, 2026. 210 sources.

## Short answer

People ask for the five types of robots, and most answers online give a different five, because there is no official taxonomy that everyone agrees on. DEPLOY does not invent one. What we can do is show how the physical-AI machines we actually verify sort into families. On DEPLOY's record the machines group by form factor, and the five largest families by the number of distinct machines catalogued are aerial drones, humanoid robots, autonomous mobile robots, maritime robots, and agricultural robots. Each family below carries a real count, a real flagship example linked to its registry page, and a link to explore every machine in it. The record holds more than five families, so the table shows the full tree rather than forcing an arbitrary cutoff. Older textbook lists split robots a different way, by how they are controlled rather than by shape, and the questions below map that framing onto what DEPLOY tracks.

## The five largest families

- **Aerial drones: 111 machines on record.** Example: Wing Delivery Aircraft (Wing). Explore: [Drones](/drones).
- **Humanoid robots: 100 machines on record.** Example: Digit (Agility Robotics). Explore: [Humanoids](/humanoids).
- **Autonomous mobile robots: 76 machines on record.** Example: LocusBot (Locus Robotics). Explore: [Mobile robots](/amr).
- **Maritime robots: 65 machines on record.** Example: Armada (Ocean Infinity). Explore: [Maritime](/maritime).
- **Agricultural robots: 56 machines on record.** Example: Ted (Naio Technologies). Explore: [Agriculture](/agriculture).

## DEPLOY's robot family tree

| Type | Machines on record | Makers | Example machine | Explore |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Aerial drones | 111 | 83 | Wing Delivery Aircraft (Wing) | [Drones](/drones) |
| Humanoid robots | 100 | 75 | Digit (Agility Robotics) | [Humanoids](/humanoids) |
| Autonomous mobile robots | 76 | 67 | LocusBot (Locus Robotics) | [Mobile robots](/amr) |
| Maritime robots | 65 | 54 | Armada (Ocean Infinity) | [Maritime](/maritime) |
| Agricultural robots | 56 | 49 | Ted (Naio Technologies) | [Agriculture](/agriculture) |
| Surgical robots | 42 | 37 | da Vinci (and Ion) (Intuitive Surgical) | [Surgical robots](/surgical) |
| Robotaxis | 38 | 34 | Waymo Driver (6th gen) (Waymo) | [Robotaxis](/robotaxis) |
| Autonomous trucks | 37 | 31 | Gatik Autonomous Box Truck (Gatik) | [Trucks](/trucks) |
| Exoskeletons | 28 | 25 | German Bionic Cray X (German Bionic) | [Exoskeletons](/exoskeletons) |
| Quadruped robots | 21 | 13 | Spot (Boston Dynamics) | [Quadrupeds](/quadrupeds) |
| Sidewalk delivery robots | 20 | 16 | Coco Bot (Coco Robotics) | [Sidewalk delivery](/sidewalk-delivery) |

## How we know this

- [Wing (official)](https://wing.com/walmart)
- [FLYING Magazine](https://www.flyingmag.com/how-its-delivered-wing-gives-us-a-glimpse-of-a-future-with-drone-delivery/)
- [DroneDJ](https://dronedj.com/2024/01/17/wing-to-fly-new-delivery-drone-with-doubled-payload-capacity/)
- [Wing (official)](https://wing.com/technology)
- [Skydio (official)](https://www.skydio.com/x10)
- [Skydio (official)](https://www.skydio.com/x10/technical-specs)
- [DroneDJ](https://dronedj.com/2023/09/20/skydio-new-x10-drone-camera/)
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Atomics_MQ-9_Reaper)
- [Air & Space Forces Magazine](https://www.airandspaceforces.com/abrupt-end-to-mq-9-production-surprises-general-atomics/)
- [GA-ASI (official)](https://www.ga-asi.com/remotely-piloted-aircraft/mq-9b-skyguardian)
- [Defense Advancement](https://www.defenseadvancement.com/feature/quadratix-unified-software-ecosystem-from-general-atomics/)
- [Matternet (official)](https://www.matternet.com/our-system-aircraft)
- [Matternet (Business Wire)](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231102809938/en/Matternet-Receives-First-FAA-Type-Certification-Amendment-for-its-M2-Drone-Delivery-System)
- [Matternet (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/matternet-m2-drone-delivery-system-first-to-achieve-faa-type-certification-301619827.html)
- [Agility Robotics](https://www.agilityrobotics.com/robots) (2026-01-01)
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digit_(robot)) (2026-01-01)
- [Agility Robotics](https://www.agilityrobotics.com/content/opening-robofab-worlds-first-factory-for-humanoid-robots)
- [Agility Robotics (official)](https://www.agilityrobotics.com/content/gxo-signs-industry-first-multi-year-agreement-with-agility-robotics) (2024-06-27)
- [Agility Robotics](https://www.agilityrobotics.com/content/agility-robotics-broadens-relationship-with-amazon)
- [GXO Logistics](https://gxo.com/news_article/gxo-signs-industry-first-multi-year-agreement-with-agility-robotics/)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/agility-robotics-digit-humanoid-lands-first-official-job/)
- [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/18/amazon-begins-testing-agilitys-digit-robot-for-warehouse-work/) (2023-10-18)
- [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/18/agility-robotics-is-opening-a-humanoid-robot-factory-.html)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/rbr50-company-2025/digit-is-first-humanoid-deployed-in-a-commercial-application/)
- [About Amazon (official)](https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/operations/amazon-introduces-new-robotics-solutions) (2023-10-18)
- [Agility Robotics (official)](https://www.agilityrobotics.com/content/digit-moves-over-100k-totes) (2025-11-20)
- [Digital Commerce 360](https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2025/12/10/mercado-libre-agility-robotics-texas-fulfillment-center/) (2025-12-10)
- [Humanoid Guide](https://humanoid.guide/product/digit/)
- [UBTech Robotics](https://www.ubtrobot.com/en/humanoid/products/Walker) (2026-01-01)
- [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/30/elon-musk-wants-robots-everywhere-china-is-making-that-a-reality.html) (2025-12-30)
- [UBTech Robotics (official)](https://www.ubtrobot.com/en/humanoid/products/walker-s2)
- [UBTech (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ubtech-humanoid-robot-walker-s2-begins-mass-production-and-delivery-with-orders-exceeding-800-million-yuan-302616924.html)
- [CnEVPost](https://cnevpost.com/2025/07/17/ubtech-humanoid-robot-autonomous-battery-swap/)
- [Interesting Engineering](https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/worlds-first-large-delivery-of-humanoid-workers)
- [AI Business](https://aibusiness.com/robotics/chinese-company-completes-first-mass-humanoid-robot-delivery)
- [New Atlas](https://newatlas.com/ai-humanoids/walker-s2-humanoid-robot-swaps-batteries/)
- [Robotics & Automation News](https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2025/08/01/ubtech-unveils-worlds-first-humanoid-robot-to-autonomously-swap-its-own-battery/93467/)
- [Humanoids Daily](https://www.humanoidsdaily.com/news/ubtech-claims-world-s-first-mass-delivery-of-humanoids-as-robot-army-deploys)
- [NVIDIA Newsroom](https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-open-humanoid-robot-reference-design) (2026-06-01)
- [Unitree via PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unitree-announces-h2-plus-an-nvidia-isaac-gr00t-reference-humanoid-robot-for-academic-research-302786748.html) (2026-06-01)
- [Agility Robotics](https://www.agilityrobotics.com/) (2026-01-01)
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agility_Robotics) (2026-01-01)
- [GeekWire](https://www.geekwire.com/2025/agility-robotics-reportedly-raising-400m-for-humanoid-warehouse-robots/)
- [Agility Robotics (official)](https://www.agilityrobotics.com/content/agility-robotics-announces-strategic-investment-and-agreement-with-motion-technology-company-schaeffler-group)
- [Agility Robotics (official)](https://www.agilityrobotics.com/content/agility-robotics-appoints-peggy-johnson-as-chief-executive-officer)
- [GXO Logistics (investor relations)](https://investors.gxo.com/news-releases/news-release-details/gxo-signs-industry-first-multi-year-agreement-agility-robotics)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/schaeffler-plans-global-use-agility-robotics-digit-humanoid/)
- [Automation World](https://www.automationworld.com/factory/robotics/news/55251926/schaeffler-group-invests-and-agrees-to-purchase-agility-robotics-humanoids)
- [SiliconANGLE](https://siliconangle.com/2025/04/01/humanoid-robot-creator-agility-robotics-targets-400m-funding-round/)
- [TIME](https://time.com/collections/time100-ai-2025/7305848/peggy-johnson/)
- [Locus Robotics (PR)](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/locus-robotics-reports-record-growth-080000762.html)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/locus-robotics-launches-locus-array-for-fully-autonomous-fulfillment/)
- [Locus Robotics (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/locus-robotics-passes-one-billion-units-picked-301625329.html)
- [Locus Robotics (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/locus-robotics-announces-117-million-in-series-f-funding-bringing-its-valuation-close-to-2-billion-301688564.html)
- [FreightWaves](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/locus-robotics-raises-117m-eyes-ipo)
- [Automated Warehouse](https://www.automatedwarehouseonline.com/dhl-supply-chain-completes-1-billion-picks-locus-robotics/)
- [Locus Robotics (official)](https://locusrobotics.com/locusone/fleet/locus-origin-collaborative-robot)
- [Boston Dynamics (official)](https://bostondynamics.com/products/stretch/)
- [Boston Dynamics (official)](https://bostondynamics.com/news/boston-dynamics-stretch-robot-now-available-for-commercial-purchase/)
- [IEEE Spectrum](https://spectrum.ieee.org/stretch-is-boston-dynamics-take-on-a-practical-mobile-manipulator-for-warehouses)
- [DHL (official)](https://www.dhl.com/us-en/home/press/press-archive/2023/dhl-supply-chain-achieves-first-commercial-deployment-of-boston-dynamics-stretch-robot.html)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/otto-group-deploying-boston-dynamics-robots-in-20-facilities/)
- [Modern Materials Handling](https://www.mmh.com/article/nfi_to_deploy_boston_dynamics_stretch_robot_in_a_10_million_deal)
- [Boston Dynamics (official)](https://bostondynamics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Stretch-Brochure-2025-compressed.pdf)
- [Meet our Robots - Stanley Robotics](https://www.stanley-robotics.com/meet-our-robots/)
- [Stan Valet Airport Parking Robot \| Engineering For Change](https://www.engineeringforchange.org/solutions/product/stan-valet-airport-parking-robot/)
- [Stanley Robotics (official)](https://www.stanley-robotics.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/stanley-robotics-robot-spec.pdf)
- [Ocado Group (official)](https://www.ocadogroup.com/about-us/osp-partners)
- [Ocado Group (official)](https://www.ocadogroup.com/about-us/our-technology)
- [Ocado Group (IR)](https://www.ocadogroup.com/investors/results-and-presentations/ocado-group-full-year-results-2025)
- [Grocery Dive](https://www.grocerydive.com/news/kroger-canceling-charlotte-cfc-closing-nashville-spoke-ecommerce-ocado/807167/)
- [Chain Store Age](https://chainstoreage.com/kroger-pay-350-million-automation-partner-it-scales-back-robotic-warehouses)
- [Ocado (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/announcement-of-partnership-between-ocado-solutions-and-aeon-897037013.html)
- [Ocean Infinity](https://oceaninfinity.com/technology/armada/)
- [Offshore Energy](https://www.offshore-energy.biz/ocean-infinity-expands-armada-fleet-with-new-robotic-vessels/)
- [Armada (re-verified primary source)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Infinity)
- [Ships Monthly](https://shipsmonthly.com/news/ocean-infinity-delivers-final-vessel-to-armada/)
- [Saildrone (official)](https://www.saildrone.com/news/saildrone-surpasses-one-million-nautical-miles)
- [Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2025/10/lockheed-martin-invests-50m-in-saildrone/)
- [Naval News](https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/sea-air-space-2026/saildrone-spectre/)
- [Saildrone (official)](https://www.saildrone.com/missions/maritime-security)
- [Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2025/11/first-ghost-shark-extra-large-auv-delivered-to-australian-navy/)
- [Naval News](https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/indo-pacific-2025/2025/10/anduril-launches-australian-ghost-shark-factory-in-sydney/)
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Shark_(submarine))
- [Anduril Industries (official)](https://www.anduril.com/news/ghost-shark-factory-opens-in-sydney-first-vehicle-off-the-line-ahead-of-schedule-ready-for)
- [Australian Government, Defence Ministers](https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2025-09-10/equipping-royal-australian-navy-next-generation-autonomous-undersea-vehicles)
- [H I Sutton](https://www.hisutton.com/World-XLUUVs.html)
- [Kongsberg (official)](https://www.kongsberg.com/discovery/autonomous-and-uncrewed-solutions/auv/hugin/)
- [Naval News](https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/02/hugin-superior-auv-completes-acceptance-test-for-the-u-s-navy/)
- [Naval Today](https://www.navaltoday.com/2025/07/15/kongsberg-starts-production-of-hugin-auv-in-us/)
- [Kongsberg (official)](https://www.kongsberg.com/globalassets/kongsberg/1.-what-we-do/2.-ocean-space/1.-autonomous-and-uncrewed-solutions/hugin/documents/110-0047668-b-hugin_3000_datasheet.pdf)
- [Naio Technologies](https://www.naio-technologies.com/en/dino/)
- [12 Steps](https://www.12steps.eu/en/products/ted-straddling-vineyard-robot/)
- [Carbon Robotics (official)](https://carbonrobotics.com/laserweeder)
- [Carbon Robotics (Business Wire)](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250210556114/en/)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/carbon-robotics-introduces-new-carbon-autotractor-autonomy-kit/)
- [Carbon Robotics (Business Wire)](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241021330997/en/)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/carbon-robotics-brings-in-70m-to-scale-laserweeder/)
- [GeekWire](https://www.geekwire.com/2025/carbon-robotics-raises-20m-as-laserweeder-maker-plans-secretive-new-ai-robot-for-farms/)
- [Ecorobotix](https://ecorobotix.com/ara/)
- [Ecorobotix (official)](https://ecorobotix.com/en-us/crop-care/ara-field-sprayer/)
- [Deere & Company (official)](https://www.deere.com/en/news/all-news/autonomous-9RX/)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/john-deere-harvests-the-seeds-of-large-vehicle-autonomy/)
- [Global Ag Tech Initiative](https://www.globalagtechinitiative.com/in-field-technologies/robotics-automation/john-deere-customers-use-see-spray-technology-across-five-million-acres-in-2025/)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/john-deere-acquiring-bear-flag-robotics-250m/)
- [AgFunderNews](https://agfundernews.com/breaking-exclusive-john-deere-acquires-see-spray-robotics-startup-blue-river-technology-305m)
- [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/12/01/how-deere-is-preparing-for-a-fully-autonomous-farm-by-2030.html)
- [John Deere (official)](https://www.deere.com/en-us/products-solutions/tractors/autonomous-tractor)
- [SEC EDGAR](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001035267/000103526726000032/isrg-20260331.htm)
- [SEC EDGAR](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1035267/000103526726000029/q126ex-991earningsrelease.htm)
- [Intuitive (GlobeNewswire)](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/03/14/2846718/7637/en/Intuitive-Announces-FDA-Clearance-of-Fifth-Generation-Robotic-System-da-Vinci-5.html)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/intuitive-demos-4000-mile-telesurgery-with-da-vinci-5-surgical-robot/)
- [FierceBiotech](https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/intuitive-launches-latest-da-vinci-robot-force-feedback-controls)
- [Robots Guide](https://robotsguide.com/robots/davinci)
- [Quantum Surgical](https://www.quantumsurgical.com/news/fda-clears-quantum-surgicals-epione-robot-for-all-abdominal-cancers)
- [Medtronic (official)](https://news.medtronic.com/2025-12-03-Medtronic-announces-FDA-clearance-of-Hugo-TM-robotic-assisted-surgery-system-for-urologic-surgical-procedures)
- [Urology Times](https://www.urologytimes.com/view/hugo-robot-assisted-surgery-system-launches-on-us-market)
- [Medtronic (official)](https://news.medtronic.com/2026-06-03-Medtronic-submits-510-k-filings-to-expand-Hugo-TM-robotic-assisted-surgery-system-into-general-and-gynecologic-specialties-in-the-United-States)
- [MedTech Dive](https://www.medtechdive.com/news/medtronic-seeks-clearance-for-hugo-surgical-robot-in-more-indications/821969/)
- [Zimmer Biomet Investor Relations](https://investor.zimmerbiomet.com/news-and-events/news/2019/01-25-2019-140357749)
- [Zimmer Biomet Investor Relations](https://investor.zimmerbiomet.com/news-and-events/news/2021/08-18-2021-133112714)
- [PR Newswire / Zimmer Biomet](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zimmer-biomet-receives-us-fda-clearance-for-enhanced-version-of-rosa-knee-robotic-technology-302615106.html)
- [Med Device Online](https://www.meddeviceonline.com/doc/zimmer-biomet-fda-clearance-rosa-one-brain-application-0001)
- [SEC EDGAR (ZBH 8-K)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001136869/000119312516649891/d223411dex991.htm)
- [Children (Basel) / PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7465763/)
- [PR Newswire / Zimmer Biomet](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zimmer-biomet-completes-acquisition-of-monogram-technologies-302577035.html)
- [Zimmer Biomet (official)](https://www.zimmerbiomet.com/content/dam/zb-corporate/en/products/smart-orthopedics/robotics/rosa-hip-system/3500.6-GLBL-en%20ROSA%20Hip%20System%20User%20Manual%20and%20Surg%20Tech%20V1.1-digital.pdf)
- [Waymo blog — Meet the 6th-generation Waymo Driver (primary announcement, sensor suite + cost targets)](https://waymo.com/blog/2024/08/meet-the-6th-generation-waymo-driver/) (2024-08-19)
- [Waymo blog — Beginning fully autonomous operations with the 6th-gen Driver (primary, commercial launch)](https://waymo.com/blog/2026/02/ro-on-6th-gen-waymo-driver/) (2026-02-12)
- [CNBC — Waymo begins deploying next-gen Ojai robotaxis (third-party trade coverage of the launch)](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/waymo-begins-deploying-next-gen-ojai-robotaxis-to-extend-its-us-lead.html) (2026-02-12)
- [WardsAuto — Inside the 6th-generation Waymo Driver (third-party deep-dive on the hardware suite)](https://www.wardsauto.com/news/archive-auto-waymo-6th-generation-driver-autonomous-driving-hardware-robotaxi-lidar-ai/725519/) (2024-08-29)
- [Electrek](https://electrek.co/2026/05/26/tesla-robotaxi-fleet-shrinking-not-growing/)
- [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-28/tesla-reveals-its-texas-robotaxi-fleet-is-dwarfed-by-waymo-s)
- [Tesla (official)](https://www.tesla.com/we-robot)
- [SEC EDGAR (Baidu 6-K, Q1 2026)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1329099/000119312526228123/d156481dex991.htm)
- [Apollo Go (official)](https://www.apollogo.com/news/365)
- [Baidu (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baidu-unveils-next-gen-autonomous-vehicle-ready-to-provide-driverless-robotaxi-half-of-taxi-fares-301590644.html)
- [ChinaPEV](https://www.chinapev.com/baidu/baidu-delivers-sixth-generation-apollo-rt6-autonomous-vehicle-priced-at-rmb-204600/)
- [CarNewsChina](https://carnewschina.com/2024/05/15/baidu-launches-6th-generation-robotaxi-costs-less-than-a-xiaomi-su7/)
- [New Atlas](https://newatlas.com/automotive/baidu-apollo-rt6/)
- [TechNode](https://technode.com/2024/05/15/baidu-expects-robotaxi-unit-to-break-even-by-2024-profit-by-2025/)
- [Inside China Auto](https://insidechinaauto.com/2024/08/27/baidu-robotaxi-fleet-hits-seven-million-rides/)
- [CnEVPost](https://cnevpost.com/2024/05/15/baidu-apollo-launches-6th-gen-robotaxi/)
- [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/argo-ai-begins-driverless-vehicle-operations-in-miami--austin-301549309.html) (2022-05-17)
- [Gatik (official)](https://medium.com/gatik/gatik-partners-with-isuzu-to-develop-and-commercialize-fully-autonomous-medium-duty-trucks-9d023bdc40ff)
- [FreightWaves](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/gatik-isuzu-to-partner-on-autonomous-truck-platform)
- [FreightWaves](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cummins-to-use-gatik-autonomous-tech-in-isuzu-trucks)
- [Gatik (official)](https://archive.gatik.ai/news/press-releases/gatik-announces-electrification-strategy-with-electric-autonomous-box-truck)
- [Caterpillar](https://www.caterpillar.com/en/news/caterpillarNews/2026/cat-autonomy-solutions.html)
- [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/16/tesla-semi-truck-has-a-500-mile-range-ceo-elon-musk-reveals.html)
- [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/01/tesla-reveals-long-awaited-semi-truck-and-begins-first-deliveries/)
- [InsideEVs](https://insideevs.com/news/661934/pepsico-fleet-tesla-semi-sacramento/)
- [PepsiCo (official)](https://www.pepsico.com/en/newsroom/stories/2023/go-behind-the-wheel-with-pepsicos-first-tesla-semi-driver)
- [Transport Topics](https://www.ttnews.com/articles/tesla-semi-arcbest-pilot)
- [Electrek](https://electrek.co/2025/12/08/dhl-takes-tesla-semi-electric-truck/)
- [Electrek](https://electrek.co/2025/04/28/tesla-gives-update-semi-factory-on-track-volume-production-2026/)
- [SEC EDGAR (Tesla)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001318605/000162828026026551/exhibit991.htm)
- [Electrek](https://electrek.co/2022/12/03/tesla-semi-no-word-equipped-autopilot-full-self-driving/)
- [Tesla (official)](https://www.tesla.com/semi)
- [Einride (official)](https://www.einride.tech/)
- [New Atlas](https://newatlas.com/automotive/einride-pod-nhtsa-us-public-roads-approval/)
- [New Atlas](https://newatlas.com/automotive/einride-pod-autonomous-truck-commercial-availability/)
- [InsideEVs](https://insideevs.com/news/408688/einride-one-operator-multiple-vehicle-capability/)
- [German Bionic (primary)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/german-bionic-launches-5th-generation-cray-x-smart-ai-powered-exoskeleton-with-active-walking-assistance-outdoor-capabilities-and-other-pioneering-technologies-301442646.html)
- [Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/german-bionic-debuts-its-lightest-powered-exosuit-to-date-at-ces-2023-133049208.html)
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberdyne_Inc.)
- [Born to Engineer](https://www.borntoengineer.com/cyberdyne-japanese-exoskeleton-gets-fda-approval)
- [Cyberdyne (official)](https://www.cyberdyne.jp/en/products/hal-lowerlimb-wellbeing)
- [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekso_Bionics)
- [Ekso Bionics (primary)](https://www.eksobionics.com/)
- [Ekso Bionics (official)](https://eksobionics.com/eksonr/)
- [Lifeward (primary)](https://ir.golifeward.com/news-releases/news-release-details/fda-issues-clearance-rewalk-7-exoskeleton)
- [Lifeward (primary)](https://golifeward.com/)
- [Boston Dynamics (official)](https://bostondynamics.com/products/spot/)
- [Boston Dynamics (official)](https://bostondynamics.com/solutions/construction/)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/spot-construction-site-monitoring-boston-dynamics/)
- [Construction Dive](https://www.constructiondive.com/news/boston-dynamics-spot-construction-sites/)
- [Engineering News-Record](https://www.enr.com/articles/boston-dynamics-spot-construction-reality-capture)
- [Boston Dynamics (official)](https://bostondynamics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/spot-specifications.pdf)
- [Robotic Gizmos](https://www.roboticgizmos.com/spirit-40/)
- [Ghost Robotics (primary)](https://www.ghostrobotics.io/)
- [The Robots HQ](https://therobotshq.com/products/ghost-robotics-spirit-40/)
- [ANYbotics (primary)](https://www.anybotics.com/robotics/anymal-x/)
- [ANYbotics (primary)](https://www.anybotics.com/about-us/company/)
- [ANYbotics (official)](https://www.anybotics.com/anymal-technical-specifications.pdf)
- [DEEP Robotics (primary)](https://www.deeprobotics.us/)
- [DEEP Robotics (primary)](https://www.deeprobotics.cn/en)
- [DEEP Robotics (official)](https://www.deeprobotics.cn/en/wap/product1.html)
- [Coco Robotics — Product page](https://www.cocodelivery.com)
- [Coco Robotics (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coco-robotics-raises-80m-to-expand-autonomous-delivery-and-ai-platform-302478405.html)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/coco-robotics-raises-80m-to-scale-sidewalk-delivery-robots/)
- [Semafor](https://www.semafor.com/article/02/25/2026/cocos-new-delivery-robot-is-hitting-the-streets-literally-and-without-a-human-driver)
- [Daxbot](https://daxbot.com/about-us)
- [Polkio](https://www.polkio.com/multimedia/meet-dax-the-food-delivering-robot/article_52127eb4-44cb-11ed-92b1-8f49a3b4cd26.html)
- [Serve Robotics (IR / GlobeNewswire)](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/07/3290495/0/en/serve-robotics-announces-first-quarter-2026-results-with-3x-sequential-revenue-growth.html)
- [Serve Robotics (IR)](https://investors.serverobotics.com/news-releases/news-release-details/serve-robotics-spins-out-postmates-seed-funding-neo-build-next)
- [Serve Robotics (PR Newswire)](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/serve-unveils-commercial-deal-with-uber-to-enable-scaling-of-robotic-delivery-301836751.html)
- [Serve Robotics (IR)](https://serverobotics.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/serve-robotics-rolls-out-third-generation-autonomous-delivery)
- [Serve Robotics (IR)](https://serverobotics.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/serve-robotics-builds-2000-autonomous-delivery-robots-creating)
- [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-02/uber-spins-off-robotic-delivery-unit-takes-stake-in-new-startup)
- [SEC EDGAR](https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0001832483&type=10-Q)
- [Restaurant Dive](https://www.restaurantdive.com/news/serve-robotics-debuts-los-angeles-faster-larger-robots-uber-eats-deal/729973/) (2024-10-16)
- [Serve Robotics (StockTitan)](https://www.stocktitan.net/news/SERV/serve-robotics-announces-first-quarter-2026-results-with-3x-3jokz86uimr4.html) (2026-05-11)
- [Starship Technologies (official)](https://www.starship.xyz/press/autonomous-delivery-moves-into-the-mainstream-as-starship-technologies-passes-10-million-deliveries/)
- [Starship Technologies (official)](https://www.starship.xyz/press/starship-technologies-raises-50m-series-c/)
- [Starship Technologies (official)](https://www.starship.xyz/press/skype-co-founders-launch-a-company-with-a-mission-to-make-local-delivery-free/)
- [Business Wire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251015387447/en/Starship-Technologies-Raises-$50M-Series-C-to-Scale-Autonomous-Delivery-Across-U.S.-Cities)
- [The Robot Report](https://www.therobotreport.com/starship-technologies-obtains-series-c-funding-for-autonomous-deliveries/)
- [Starship Technologies (official)](https://www.starship.xyz/about/)
- [Starship Technologies (official)](https://starshipdeliveries.com/industry/)

## Common questions

### What are the 5 main types of robots?

There is no single agreed list, so DEPLOY answers from its record. The five largest families of physical-AI machine on DEPLOY's record, by the number of distinct machines catalogued, are aerial drones, humanoid robots, autonomous mobile robots, maritime robots, and agricultural robots. Each is scoped to what is verified on DEPLOY and dated, and the full family tree on this page shows every family with a real example machine.

### What are the 6 types of robots?

If you extend the list to six, DEPLOY's sixth-largest family is surgical robots, the surgeon-controlled systems that operate inside the body, after aerial drones, humanoid robots, autonomous mobile robots, maritime robots, and agricultural robots. There is nothing special about five or six: the record holds more families than either number, which is why the table on this page shows the full tree rather than a fixed cutoff.

### What is the classic textbook list of robot types?

Older textbooks often split robots by how they are controlled rather than by shape: pre-programmed or industrial arms, humanoid robots, autonomous mobile robots, teleoperated robots, and augmenting robots such as exoskeletons. DEPLOY tracks machines that fall across all of those controls, but it sorts its record by form factor instead, because a single machine can be several of the textbook types at once. Humanoids and exoskeletons appear on DEPLOY as their own families; teleoperation is recorded as an autonomy property of a machine, not as a separate type.

### How many types of robots does DEPLOY track?

DEPLOY sorts its verified record into form-factor families, and today it tracks more than a dozen: aerial drones, humanoid robots, autonomous mobile robots, maritime robots, agricultural robots, surgical robots, robotaxis, autonomous trucks, exoskeletons, quadruped robots, and sidewalk delivery robots, alongside smaller groups. The family tree on this page lists each one with its machine count and a real example, and it grows as DEPLOY verifies new machines.

### What is the most common type of robot?

On DEPLOY's record, the largest family by the number of distinct machines catalogued is aerial drones, followed closely by humanoid robots and autonomous mobile robots. That is a count of what DEPLOY has verified, not a census of every robot in the world, so it reflects where the physical-AI market is most active and most documented rather than raw industrial population. The table on this page shows the exact counts, each dated and sourced.

### Is a self-driving car a robot?

On DEPLOY's record, yes: a driverless passenger car is tracked as a robotaxi, and a driverless freight truck as an autonomous truck, both physical-AI machines that sense, decide, and act without a human driver. They are two of the families in the taxonomy on this page. DEPLOY records each one's autonomy level from the evidence, so a car marketed as self-driving but verified as still needing a supervising driver is labelled for what the record shows, not for how it is sold.

## Keep reading

- [Which physical-AI companies are worth the most? Valuations ranked.](/valuations.md): Comparisons
- [What AI actually drives each robot? AI stacks compared](/ai-stacks.md): Comparisons
- [Which company is the leader in humanoid robotics?](/which-company-leads-humanoid-robotics.md): Comparisons
- [What robotic company did Nvidia invest in?](/what-robotic-company-did-nvidia-invest-in.md): Comparisons
- [All verified answers](/answers.md): Every standing question DEPLOY tracks.
- [Which humanoid robots can you actually buy?](/which-humanoid-robots-can-you-actually-buy.md): The buyable humanoids, from the record.

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