Everything Electric Podcast Humanoid Robots, Flying Cars & the Battery Breakthroughs of 2026
Feb 5, 2026
Discussion covers humanoid robots going viral and the debate over their safety and practicality. Exoskeletons and robot care for ageing populations are explored. Breakthroughs in sodium-ion and solid-state batteries and their cost impacts are highlighted. The rise of EVTOLs, low‑altitude transport use cases, and China’s shift toward tech leadership are examined.
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Xpeng Robot Trouser Test
- Robert recounts the Xpeng humanoid demo that made people cut the robot's trouser leg to prove it wasn't a person.
- The demo surprised audiences and fuelled debate over how realistic bipedal robots have become.
Robot Mirror-Dance Goes Wrong
- Elliot describes a Unitree demo where a robot mirroring a person accidentally kicked the tester in the groin.
- The incident highlighted both capability and real safety concerns as robots leave labs for showrooms.
Why Bipeds Trigger Stronger Fear
- Bipedal robots provoke stronger emotional reactions than quadrupeds despite similar capabilities.
- Robert and Elliot note humans worry about balance, strength and the uncanny humanlike motion of bipeds.