BOM Costs

The bill of materials (BOM) cost is a core constraint on scalable humanoid deployment. According to Interact Analysis (Humanoid Robots – 2025), joint actuators typically account for over 30 percent of the total BOM in high-configuration humanoids, and more than 50 percent in simpler models without dexterous hands or advanced sensors. 

Each full-sized robot may include dozens of actuators, with different torque, control, and mechanical demands depending on joint position. This makes actuator design and supply capacity central to cost structure and scale-up feasibility.

Vendors are developing integrated joint modules that combine motors, gearboxes, encoders, and drives. These reduce system weight and volume but raise initial development costs in the absence of standardization. As more suppliers introduce off-the-shelf actuator products, BOM optimization is becoming a competitive differentiator between lab-bound prototypes and commercially viable platforms.