Iván Hernández Dalas: QSS partners with Humanoid to advance robotics in Saudi Arabia

Alpha version of Humanoid's robot.

Alpha version of Humanoid’s robot, intended for wide industrial use. Source: Humanoid

Robots are not limited to East Asian manufacturers, American warehouses, or European healthcare providers. Humanoid last month said it has partnered with QSS AI & Robotics to accelerate the development, manufacturing, and deployment of humanoid robots across Saudi Arabia.

Artem Sokolov, founder and CEO of Humanoid

Artem Sokolov, founder and CEO of Humanoid

“Saudi Arabia represents one of the most forward-looking markets in the world when it comes to innovation,” stated Artem Sokolov, founder of Humanoid. “This partnership is our first step into the MENA [Middle East and North Africa] region, a market with immense potential for large-scale adoption of humanoid robots. Together with QSS, we aim to bring humanoid robotics from concept to reality, driving efficiency, safety, and progress across industries.”

The partners plan to localize technologies under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 digital transformation strategy. QSS will explore production and support for Humanoid at its Robotics Factory in Riyadh, and the companies have a non-binding, pre-order framework of up to 10,000 humanoid robots over the next five years.

QSS and London-based Humanoid, formally known as SKL Robotics Ltd., also plan to establish a “Humanoid Lounge” in Riyadh to showcase their latest platforms.

QSS CEO explains initiative to localize humanoids

Dr. Elie Metri, CEO of QSS AI & Robotics, replied to the following questions from The Robot Report about the collaboration:

Where will Humanoid’s robots to be used in Saudi Arabia be manufactured — is your company just doing assembly and distribution?

Metri: We are not just assembling or distributing; we are localizing. The humanoid robots that will be deployed in Saudi Arabia will be locally manufactured, integrated, and supported through QSS’s robotics facilities in Riyadh and our factory in Sudair Industrial City.

Our role is to ensure that humanoid robotics becomes part of Saudi Arabia’s industrial base, not just imported technology. This includes local assembly lines, mechanical and electronic subsystem manufacturing, software integration, and field deployment and lifecycle support.

This partnership is about building long-term national capability, not just importing robots.

Can you give examples of the localized customizations that QSS is doing?

Metri: We are customizing for:

  • Arabic language and dialects (GCC and Saudi-specific speech models)
  • Cultural behavior patterns (gestures, social cues, proximity norms)
  • Physical adaptations for climate, such as high heat and dust tolerance
  • Industry-specific tool attachments (for manufacturing, retail logistics, hospitality, etc.)
  • Compliance with Saudi safety and industrial standards

Humanoids must feel native to the environment they work in socially, technically, and operationally.

Will Humanoid be obtaining data in Saudi Arabia to train artificial intelligence models and further refine its robots? Are there regulatory or privacy concerns?

Metri: Yes, AI performance improves with real operational data, but data sovereignty is non-negotiable in Saudi Arabia. All data will be captured, processed, and stored locally, governed under Saudi data privacy and cybersecurity regulations.

It will be managed under frameworks aligned with SDAIA [the Saudi Data & AI Authority] and NDMO, the National Data Management Office. We are extremely careful to ensure transparency, auditability, and ethical use of data.

Is QSS hiring or scaling up to support this deployment of 10,000 robots over the next five years?

Metri: Yes, this scale requires talent and infrastructure expansion. QSS is currently expanding our robotics manufacturing workforce and building new specialization tracks in humanoid mechatronics, AI control systems, and autonomous operations.

We’re also collaborating with Saudi universities and training centers for local talent development. This is not only a robotics rollout; it is job creation and skills localization in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

SITE AD for the 2026 Robotics Summit save the date.

Humanoid and QSS get ready to roll out robots

What are some of the key performance indicators (KPIs) that the partners expect?

Metri: We measure success in clear operational terms:

  • Reduction in repetitive labor and operational overhead
  • Consistency and accuracy of task execution
  • System uptime and reliability metrics
  • Response time for support and maintenance
  • Overall return on automation investment

Humanoid robots must improve operational efficiency, not just look futuristic.

Are you already working with local retailers, manufacturers, and other customers?

Metri: We are already in advanced engagement and pilot planning with major retail chains, manufacturing plants, infrastructure operators, and logistics and warehouse facilities.

The demand signals are very real, especially where there are labor shortages in repetitive and physically intensive roles.

Will the systems be provided through a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model?

Metri: Yes. RaaS reduces the barrier to adoption and allows organizations to scale usage based on operational needs.

We provide the robot, the software, maintenance and support, and continuous upgrades — all under a predictable subscription model included in the price of the subscription. The exact prices can be disclosed now.

How soon do the partners expect to deploy humanoid robots in the Middle East?

Metri: Deployment starts this year through phased pilots in manufacturing, logistics, and infrastructure environments. We are not talking about the distant future; we are already in execution mode.

Jochen Rudat, chief growth and revenue officer at Humanoid, with Dr. Elie Metri, CEO of QSS AI & Robotics.

Jochen Rudat, chief growth and revenue officer at Humanoid, with Dr. Elie Metri, CEO of QSS, celebrate their partnership. Source: QSS AI & Robotics

Saudi Arabia aims for robotics leadership

Is the government providing any incentives? What are some of the safety considerations?

Metri: Saudi Arabia strongly supports localization of future technologies, and robotics manufacturing is strategically aligned with national priorities.

Safety is core to deployment. Robots will operate under ISO 10218 and ISO 15066 safety principles. Human-robot interaction zones are defined and monitored, and continuous fail-safe and emergency stop features are built in. We are deploying robots responsibly and transparently.

How could this be a model for other humanoid robot deployments in other countries or regions?

Metri: Yes, that it exactly the point. Saudi Arabia is one of the few markets ready to deploy humanoid robotics at scale, with capital, infrastructure, and national alignment to future industries.

The playbook we are building here — localization, training, industrial use-cases, and regulatory frameworks — can be replicated across regions.

The post QSS partners with Humanoid to advance robotics in Saudi Arabia appeared first on The Robot Report.



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