Say Androids · Since 1728
Humanoid robots
Androids.
Androids are machines built in human form: robots with a human-like body, typically a head, torso and two arms, often two legs, made to work in spaces built for people. "Humanoid robots" describes them. "Androids" names them.
Why we say Androids
Four reasons the one-word name fits better than the two-word description.
Androids were robots first.
The name described human-like machines in 1728. The word “robot” didn’t exist until 1920.
One word beats two.
Unmanned aerial vehicles became drones. Big categories get one word. Humanoid robots are Androids.
You already know them.
Science fiction made Androids household names. Now they work real shifts.
It names the machines.
"Humanoid" describes a shape, and lots of humanoid things aren't robots. Androids means one thing.
Androids, since 1728
The name came long before the machines could live up to it.
- 1728
Ephraim Chambers' Cyclopaedia uses "Androides" for human-like automata.
- 1828
Webster's American Dictionary defines the word as a machine in human form that performs some of the natural motions of a living man.
- 1950s
Science fiction writers make Androids a household idea.
- Today
Androids work in warehouses, factories and logistics sites. See every verified site on the Deployment Tracker.
Androids vs. the neighbors
How the terms differ, in plain words.
| Term | What it means | Example use |
|---|---|---|
| Androids | Machines built in human form. The one-word name for the category. | "Three Androids started shifts at the plant this week." |
| Humanoid robots | The same machines, described by their shape. Common in spec sheets and press releases. | "A bipedal humanoid robot with 28 degrees of freedom." |
| Robots | Any programmable machine that senses and acts: arms, carts, vacuums, drones. | "Warehouse robots move shelves to pickers." |
| Cyborgs | Living organisms with built-in mechanical or electronic parts. People, not machines. | "A cyborg with a powered prosthetic arm." |
How to say it
Always plural, always capitalized, used as the name of the category.
- "Androids are coming to warehouses."
- "Figure 03 is one of the Androids we rank."
- "The Androids rankings drop Mondays."
- "an android" (say "one of the Androids")
- "android robots" (says it twice)
Questions
Are Androids the same as humanoid robots?
Yes, the same machines. "Humanoid robots" is the technical description; "Androids" is the everyday name, the way "drones" took over from "unmanned aerial vehicles".
Why always plural?
Used in the plural and capitalized, "Androids" works as the name of a whole category, the way people say Drones or Humanoids.
Doesn't the Greek root mean "man"?
Yes, andr- means man. In everyday use the word has long covered human-form machines of any appearance. "Gynoids" exists for female-presenting machines but never caught on.
Where do Androids work today?
Mostly in warehouses, factories and logistics, in pilots and paid deployments. The Deployment Tracker lists every site we've verified.
Who's leading?
We score the field every Monday on deployment, capability, funding, manufacturing and momentum. See the Robot Rankings.
Androids Spotted
When founders, engineers and reporters call these machines Androids, we credit them here.
The first credits post on Monday with the Robot Rankings. Seen someone say Androids? Tag @androids.com on Bluesky or use #SayAndroids.
Follow the Androids race.
The rankings drop Mondays.
Say Androids.
Sources: Interesting Literature (OED's 1728 citation) · Webster's 1828 Dictionary · Etymonline · etymologist.ai ("robot", 1920). Androids.com is independent humanoid robotics coverage.