Tech firms are racing to bring robots into everyday life. From Japan to China, massive sums are being poured into "physical AI," a booming sector that could put more than a billion humanoid robots in homes and workplaces by 2050.

The world could have more than one billion humanoid robots by 2050, says Morgan Stanley A pair of swiveling, human-like robotic arms, built for physical artificial intelligence research, mirror

Humanoid robot training is booming around the world. Tech companies are rushing to build the robots for a market projected to reach $38 billion within the next decade.

George Budwell has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Intuitive Surgical, Nvidia, Rockwell Automation, Tesla, Texas Instruments, UiPath, and Zebra Technologies. The Motley Fool recommends Teradyne. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Jake Loosararian of Gecko Robotics says China has manufacturing prowess needed for AI buildout, but the U.S. retains a real world data edge which is an equally important component in deciding the overall winner of this global AI race.