What the Price Includes

Hands and grippers can be extras

Listed prices on Shop a Humanoid in October 2026 ran from about $700 for the Robosen Optimus Prime to about $300,000 for the Sanctuary AI Phoenix, and a listing alone does not say which hands, software or services each figure covers. Start with the hands, because they decide what the robot can pick up. A humanoid can ship with simple grippers while dexterous hands are sold as an option, and the robot in a maker's video may carry the more capable version. Ask which end effectors are in the price and whether they can be swapped later. ISO 18646-3:2021 sets test methods for grasp size, grasp strength and grasp slip resistance, so ask for results for the hand you would receive.

Software editions and developer access

The same body can be sold in more than one software edition, and the cheapest may shut off the access you need. Ask which edition the listed price buys and what changes between editions: low-level motor control, raw sensor data, the right to run your own code on board, and any tools for teaching tasks. Find out whether licences are perpetual or annual, whether cloud features are charged by use, and which functions keep working if a subscription lapses. Some features may also be tied to a service contract rather than to the robot. Get the edition named on the quote, not only the model, so there is no argument later about what was bought.

Batteries, chargers and spare packs

Check how many batteries come in the box and whether a charger or docking station is included or sold separately. If the robot must work longer than one charge, you will need spare packs and a safe place to charge them, which can add noticeably to the bill. Ask for the expected number of charge cycles before a pack needs replacing and the price of a replacement, so you can budget for it in later years. Find out whether batteries swap by hand or need a technician, and whether third-party packs affect the warranty. Ask too how the robot reports battery health, since a pack that fades quietly can cut a shift short without warning.

Data access, support and training in the quote

Under Regulation (EU) 2023/2854, the Data Act, a seller of a connected product must give you clear information before the contract about the data the product can generate, including its type, format and estimated volume, whether it is stored on the device or on a remote server, and how you can access it. For a humanoid that covers camera, joint and task data, so ask for that statement alongside the quote. Then list the services bundled in: installation, operator training, hours of remote support, software updates for a stated period and any site visits. A low listed price with none of these may cost more by the end of the first year.

Sources and further reading

• Regulation (EU) 2023/2854 (Data Act) — EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union.
  EU law giving users of connected products information on, and access to, the data those products generate.
• ISO 18646-3:2021 Robotics – Performance criteria and related test methods for service robots – Part 3: Manipulation — International Organization for Standardization.
  Test methods for grasp size, grasp strength and slip resistance, useful when judging a robot's hands.

Common questions

Are shipping and import duties included in a humanoid's price?

Assume not unless the quote says so. A listed price normally covers the robot as the maker sells it, while freight, transit insurance, import duties and local taxes are quoted separately. Ask for a delivered price to your site before comparing makers.

Does a humanoid's price include installation?

Sometimes. A maker may include remote set-up help or a site visit, or expect you or a local integrator to commission the robot. Ask for installation, training and the first service visit as separate lines on the quote so nothing is assumed.