Robot Fitter

Will a humanoid robot work in a UK home?

Today's home robots are being built and tested in American houses. UK homes tend to be older, often smaller, with steeper stairs. Here's what that means if you're thinking of getting one.

Updated 4 October 2026

Older homes and solid walls

England has one of the oldest housing stocks in Europe. The English Housing Survey found that a fifth (21%) of homes were built before 1919, and terraced houses and converted flats make up a large share of those.

That matters for WiFi, which home robots rely on for updates, app control and, on some models, remote help. Ofcom notes that it's usually harder to get WiFi throughout a house with brick internal walls than one with hollow walls. Older homes with solid walls often need a mesh WiFi system to reach every room the robot will use. Test each room with your phone before the robot arrives.

Steep and narrow stairs

Building regulations allow private stairs in new homes to be as steep as 42 degrees, and many older homes were built before today's rules, with steeper, narrower or winding stairs.

The robot makers haven't published much about how their humanoids handle stairs, and these are heavy machines: NEO weighs about 30 kg and Figure 03 about 61 kg. Until a maker shows its robot coping with stairs like yours, plan for it to work on one floor, and keep the stairs clear of cables and clutter. Ask about stairs before you buy.

Space to move

Humanoid robots are human-sized, at around 168 to 173 cm tall. Measure your narrowest doorways, hallways and the gaps between kitchen units, and think about where the robot can turn round. It also needs a clear docking or charging spot of about a square metre, near a socket and off the main walkway. In a small home, that spot is worth planning carefully.

Floors, rugs and thresholds

A walking robot has to cope with carpet, loose rugs, raised door thresholds and steps between rooms. Secure or remove loose rugs and note any steps or thresholds. These are the places a robot is most likely to trip or get stuck.

Plugs, chargers and safety marks

A robot sold for UK homes should come with a UK plug and a charger rated for UK mains electricity. Don't run a charger meant for another country through a travel adaptor. Look for the UKCA or CE mark, the safety markings used on products sold in Great Britain.

Buying from abroad, and your rights

If you buy from a UK seller, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects you: goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described, and you have at least 30 days to reject faulty goods for a refund. The 30 days can start after installation, if the seller is doing it.

Importing a robot from a US seller is different. Your rights depend on where the seller is based and can be hard to enforce, and you'd also face import VAT and other charges. For a machine costing as much as a car, it's worth waiting for official UK sales.

If you rent or live in a flat

Check your tenancy or lease for anything about installing equipment, such as WiFi kit that needs fixings, and keep the robot inside your own home rather than in shared hallways or gardens. It's also worth telling your landlord or building manager if a large robot will be moving in.

So, will it work?

For most UK homes, yes, with some preparation: WiFi in every room it will use, a clear charging spot, clear stairs and floors, and realistic expectations about stairs. Our robot-ready guide and printable checklist cover what to sort, and our robot comparison shows how the three main humanoids differ.

What Robot Fitter is planning. A £49 home readiness survey to check your WiFi, dock spot, stairs and camera-free zones before your robot arrives. Setup and safety configuration on the day it arrives (£99–£199, depending on the robot and the size of your home). And a Robot Care Plan from £25 a month after that. We're not taking bookings yet. Join the list to hear when we launch and to tell us what you'd use.

Would you pay £49 for a video survey that checks your home is ready for a robot, with a written report?

One tap and anonymous: we only record the answer, not who you are.

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