Experts to discuss the state of humanoid robots at RoboBusiness

Humanoid robots including Agility's Digit robot, Apptronik's Apollo, Persona AI's humanoid, and PSYONIC's robotic hand.

Clockwise from top left: Agility’s Digit robot, Apptronik’s Apollo, PSYONIC’s robotic hand, and Persona AI’s humanoid. | Sources: Agility, Apptronik, PSYONIC, and Persona AI

Humanoid robots have captured the world’s attention, attracting billions in investment and generating excitement about the future. But beyond the viral videos and ambitious promises, where does the technology really stand?

At RoboBusiness, which will take place on Oct. 20 and 21 and in Santa Clara, Calif., humanoid robot experts will participate in the “State of Humanoids” panel. During the keynote, industry leaders will examine the current state of humanoids through the lens of real-world deployment.

The panel will include experts from Agility Robotics, Apptronik, Persona AI, and PSYONIC. Mike Oitzman, senior editor at The Robot Report, will moderate.

The discussion will explore the capabilities that humanoids are delivering today, the technical and operational challenges that remain, and the lessons emerging from early industrial implementations. The panelists will address key topics including safety, standards, and economics. They will also describe the milestones that must be reached before humanoid robots can achieve widespread adoption across manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.

Attendees will leave with a clear, practical understanding of where humanoids create value today and what it will take for the technology to scale.

Meet the experts in humanoid robots

From left to right: Pras Velagapudi, Parker Conroy, Michael Patrick Perry, and Aadeel Akhtar.

Pras Velagapudi

Chief technology officer at Agility, Pras Velagapudi has decades of experience in robotics planning and control, as well as with creating and deploying robots into home, industrial, and outdoor environments. He most recently was a vice president of engineering and chief architect of mobile robotics at Berkshire Grey. There, Velagapudi helped deploy fleets of hundreds of robots in logistics applications.

At Agility, Velagapudi is focused on pragmatic product-relevant innovations, driven by the vision and strategy for Agility’s bipedal robot Digit, operationalizing the company’s research and development efforts, and continually exploring what’s new. He received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. from Carnegie Mellon University.

Parker Conroy

Parker Conroy is head of product management at Apptronik. He has worked in robotics for more than a decade, guiding product management teams to design and deploy thousands of autonomous mobile robots, robotic arms, drones, and now, humanoid robots.

More broadly, Conroy is focused on how new autonomous technologies can be developed in a way that benefits both the developers and a workforce increasingly augmented by robots.

Michael Patrick Perry

At Persona AI, Patrick Perry is head of commercial strategy. He is building the commercial engine for deploying humanoid robots in heavy industrial environments, including shipbuilding, steel manufacturing, and offshore operations.

Perry leads structured engagement models that help the world’s largest industrial companies assess, plan for, and adopt humanoid automation at scale.

Previously, he led commercial strategy, business development, and marketing at robotics and automation leaders including Dexterity, Boston Dynamics, and DJI. Perry worked to transform cutting-edge R&D into enterprise-ready solutions adopted by Fortune 500 customers around the globe.

With deep experience in customer discovery, go-to-market design, and ecosystem growth, Perry builds high-performing teams that turn breakthrough technology into lasting commercial impact.

Aadeel Akhtar

CEO Aadeel Akhtar launched PSYONIC to develop advanced bionic limbs that are accessible to humans and robots. He received his Ph.D. in neuroscience and M.S. in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2016. Akhtar received a B.S. in Biology in 2007 and M.S. in Computer Science in 2008 at Loyola University Chicago.

In 2021, he was named as one of MIT Technology Review’s Top 35 Innovators Under 35 and one of America’s Top 50 Disruptors in Newsweek.

Register now for RoboBusiness 2026

RoboBusiness 2026 is the leading event for commercial robotics developers. Attendees will gain the latest insights from experts in robotics and AI on cutting-edge research, industry trends, and innovative applications in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and more.

Buy your full conference pass before Aug. 31 to save $200 on your registration and gain full access to all keynotes, technical sessions, networking receptions and special events. Discounts are also available for academia, associations, and corporate groups. Please email events[at]arrowfly.com for more details about our discount programs.

For information about sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, download the prospectus. Questions regarding sponsorship opportunities should be directed to Colleen Sepich at csepich[AT]arrowfly.com.