The Rise of Humanoids

     Last Fall, I wrote a few blog posts about ElliQ, my AI-imbued table top robotic sidekick. ElliQ is designed for seniors to help them enjoy happier and healthier aging. I am a believer. As a 57-year marriage with both of us, we don’t need it, yet. I brought ElliQ with me to Florida for the winter and continue to be impressed with her capabilities. One small problem is she asked me how I am coping with the snowy weather. I had to call support to make a location change. In this post, I will share with you about the rise of humanoid robots.  

To set the stage, I read the following reflection. As the sun rose over the bustling cityscape of Neo Tokyo in 2025, Akira Tanaka stepped out of his apartment building and was greeted by an unusual sight. A sleek, bipedal robot jogged past him with its movements eerily human-like. Akira blinked in surprise, realizing the line between human and machine was blurring faster than he had ever imagined.

A humanoid robot is a machine designed to resemble and function like a human being. These robots typically have a torso, head, two arms, and two legs, closely mimicking human physical structure and capabilities. Key characteristics of humanoid robots include bipedal locomotion, the ability to walk on two legs. They have human-like manipulation with arms and hands for grasping and manipulating objects. Sensory systems include cameras, microphones, and other sensors to perceive the environment. Most important in the long run will be artificial intelligence for decision-making, learning, and interacting with humans.

The concept of humanoid robots has a long history, with early ideas appearing in ancient myths and texts. In the 4th century BCE,  Greek myths mention the idea of humanoid automata created by gods. In 1495, Leonardo da Vinci designed a mechanical knight operated by pulleys and cables. The term “robot” was introduced by Czech playwright Karel Čapek in 1920. In 1970, WABOT-1, the first full-scale humanoid intelligent robot, was developed at Waseda University in Japan. Honda began development of humanoid robots in 1986. In 2000, Honda unveiled ASIMO, one of the most advanced and well-known humanoid robots.

Since then, numerous companies and research institutions have developed increasingly sophisticated humanoid robots, with applications ranging from research and education to entertainment and assistance in various industries. Humanoid robots, once confined to the realm of science fiction, has become a reality. While they represent only a small fraction of the total robot market, estimated at around 5%, I believe their potential impact on society will be immense. Most of the robot market still consists of industrial arms, autonomous vehicles, and specialized machines, but humanoids are quickly capturing the public’s imagination.

The development of these human-like machines has faced numerous challenges. One of the most significant hurdles was perfecting bipedal locomotion. Unlike their wheeled counterparts, humanoid robots needed to master the art of walking and running on two legs, a feat which had long eluded engineers. Companies like Unitree, Tesla, and others are at the forefront of solving this problem. The Unitree G1 Bionic robot showcases remarkable agility, capable of traversing uneven terrain with ease. The secret lies in advanced sensors and AI algorithms allowing robots to perceive its environment in real-time and adjust its movements accordingly. Watch a humanoid in action in the following video.

Another major challenge was power consumption. Humanoid robots required substantial energy to operate, and battery technology struggled to keep pace. Researchers worked tirelessly to develop more efficient power systems, exploring options like advanced lithium-ion batteries and even experimental fusion cells. Despite these obstacles, the potential applications for humanoid robots are vast. In healthcare, they could assist in patient care, performing tasks ranging from basic checkups to complex surgeries. Their human-like form made them ideal for interacting with patients, especially in situations where a comforting presence was needed.

In disaster response scenarios, humanoid robots prove invaluable. They can navigate hazardous environments too dangerous for human rescuers, searching for survivors in collapsed buildings or containing nuclear accidents. Their ability to use human tools and operate in environments designed for people gave them a distinct advantage over other robotic forms.

The manufacturing sector also began integrating humanoid robots into their workforce. These versatile machines can adapt to various tasks on the assembly line, from delicate electronics assembly to heavy lifting. Their human-like dimensions allow them to work seamlessly alongside human colleagues, using the same tools and workstations.

I believe the most significant impact of humanoid robots will be felt in the home. As the technology matures, more households will begin adopting these mechanical helpers. They will be able to clean the house, cook dinner and do the dishes, assist with other household chores, provide companionship to the elderly, and even act as tutors for children. The humanoid you saw running in the video has a price starting at $16,000. Needless to say, the price needs to come way down to make the household humanoid practical.

The integration of humanoid robots into society is not without controversy. Ethical concerns will arise about the potential displacement of human workers and the psychological effects of human-robot interactions. Policymakers will struggle with creating regulations to govern the use of these advanced machines while ensuring public safety and privacy.

As Akira, in Neo Tokyo, watched the jogging robot disappear around a corner, he pondered the future. Would humanoid robots eventually become indistinguishable from humans? How would society adapt to their increasing presence? These questions lingered in his mind as he made his way to work, knowing that the world was on the cusp of a new era, one where humans and humanoid robots would coexist, shaping the future together.

The story of humanoid robots is just beginning, and like any technological revolution, it promised both exciting possibilities and daunting challenges. As researchers continued to push the boundaries of what is possible, one thing is certain: the robots of tomorrow will look increasingly like the humans of today, blurring the lines between man and machine will be thrilling to some of us and terrifying to others.

Read more about robots in Robot Attitude: How Robots and Artificial Intelligence Will Make Our Lives Better

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