humanoide

Humanoide, or humanoid in English, is an adjective describing beings or forms that resemble humans in shape or attributes. The term derives from the Latin homo (human) and the suffix -oid, meaning "resembling" or "like." It is widely used across sciences, technology, and culture.

In biology and paleoanthropology, humanoid describes organisms or fossil species with a human-like body plan, especially bipedal posture, paired upper limbs, and a skull capable of housing a large brain relative to body size. It is not a formal taxonomic category; rather, it indicates morphological similarity to humans and is often used when discussing hominins and other primates in relation to human evolution.

In robotics and artificial intelligence, humanoid refers to robots or systems designed to imitate human form or behavior. Humanoid robots typically aim for upright locomotion, dexterous manipulation, and natural-human interaction. Design challenges include balance and safety, perception in complex environments, energy efficiency, and intuitive user interfaces. The field includes a range of platforms used for research, assistive technology, and public demonstrations.

In culture and media, humanoid figures appear frequently in science fiction, mythology, and art to explore questions about identity, ethics, and the boundary between humans and machines. The concept also raises legal and philosophical debates about personhood, rights, and responsibility for autonomous or quasi-human agents.