Do robots really need legs?

NEXT with John Koetsier · Aug 30, 2025 · 30m

Are humanoid robots the future… or a $100B mistake?

Over 100 companies—from Meta to Amazon—are betting big on humanoids. But are we chasing a sci-fi dream that’s not practical or profitable?

In this TechFirst episode, I chat with Bren Pierce, robotics OG and CEO of Kinisi Robots. We cover:

- Why legs might be overhyped

- How LLMs are transforming robots into agents

- The real cost (and complexity) of robotic hands

- Why warehouse robots work best with wheels

- The geopolitical robot arms race between China, the US, and Europe

- Hot takes, historical context, and a glimpse into the next 10…