Even Robots Need Rescue, And That’s Where Humans Come In

Robots are fast becoming a part of everyday life, but one question that remains on top of everyone’s mind is how robots and humans coexist? While these mechanical wonders are taking over many aspects of our personal and professional lives, there is an important role that humans continue to play.  

On September 8, 2026, Japanese company GMO AI & Robotics officially unveiled its humanoid ambulance, showing that robots are not all that invincible and they need upkeep and repair just like any other regular machines.  

The service has been specifically introduced for humanoid robots that need repair.  Humanoids can face a myriad of hurdles including battery faults, sensor problems, software issues and mechanical mishaps, amongst other things. In these cases, an ambulance van comprising repair staff, diagnostic equipment, replacement machines and a spare robot, arrives at the robot’s destination instead of the owner transporting the malfunctioned robot to a repair facility.  

GMO AIR launched the service after experiencing disruptions in operations when damaged humanoids had to be sent away for repair. “Learning from that experience, we came up with the idea of providing replacement humanoids,” Tomohiro Uchida, CEO of GMO Air, was quoted as saying. The ambulance has been manufactered by China's Unitree Robotics. 

So, while humanoids are being developed to assist humans, they still depend on them to keep them running.  

In a nutshell, can robots operate without humans? The answer is a resounding no. 

In recent times, humanoids aren’t just confined to industrial spaces, where they are operating in controlled environments. They are increasingly being tested for tasks such as greeting guests at hotels, helping to stock shelves at supermarket chains and transporting medications at hospitals. This poses them at a greater risk of encountering unpredictable situations. Hence, maintenance, reliability and rapid repairs matter just as much as a robot's ability to walk, talk or carry objects.

Today, there are 3,159 robot maintenance and repair services identified worldwide, according to RevenueBase Robot maintenance and repair services. Demand for more companies like these will only increase as humanoids enter more workplaces. There is currently one vehicle based at GMO’s Tokyo headquarters “When humanoids become more popular, this kind of service will be needed,” Shota Takizawa, an engineer at GMO Air mentioned.

As more robots are integrated into people’s personal and professional lives, the need to look after these automation tools will also increase. This initiative by GMO Air is a clear indication of the way forward for robotics – where solutions are being built for what could be a common sight in the future. The upkeep of humanoids.