The Neverending Debate: Humanoid Robots and their Role in the Robotics Industry
The robotics industry loves nothing more than a good debate, and one of the most heated discussions of late revolves around humanoid robots. While this has been a topic of interest for decades, the recent rise of startups like 1X and Figure, as well as established companies like Tesla, have brought humanoid robots back into the spotlight.
Supporters of this form of robotics argue that since we have designed our world to suit our human form, it only makes sense to create robots in our likeness. This also offers advantages in terms of reach, maneuvering stairs, and utilizing the dexterity inherent in our design.
However, one cannot deny that the human body is not without its flaws. As evidence of this, I have spent the past year struggling with a condition known as degenerative disc disease, a testament to our less-than-perfect design.
The humanoid form also goes against traditional wisdom, which has long praised specialized, single-purpose robots. These machines are designed to excel at one task, repeating it countless times. Moreover, the concept of a “general purpose” humanoid robot is complex and often dismissed without much consideration.
Despite these arguments, humanoid robots now have a major ally in the tech world. This week, Bill Gates released a list of “cutting-edge robotics startups and labs that I’m excited about,” and three of these focus on developing humanoids. The most well-known of these is Agility, whose Digit robot may not look the most human, but has made the most impact thus far. The other two companies are Apptronik, responsible for the Apollo, and UCLA’s RoMeLa (Robotics and Mechanisms Lab), which created the ARTEMIS soccer-playing robot.
Gates had this to say about Apptronik:
“What’s more useful: multiple robots that can each do one task over and over, or one robot that can do multiple tasks and learn to do even more? To Apptronik, an Austin-based start-up that spun out of the human-centered robotics lab at the University of Texas, the answer is obvious. So they’re building ‘general-purpose’ humanoid bi-pedal robots like Apollo, which can be programmed to do a wide array of tasks—from carrying boxes in a factory to helping out with household chores.”
In regards to Agility, he notes, “If we want robots to operate in our environments as seamlessly as possible, perhaps those robots should be modeled after people.” Digit is currently leading the pack in terms of real world deployments, including a recent pilot at Amazon warehouses that helped pave the way for Figure’s recent BMW deal.
Other companies mentioned in the article include robotic perception firm Field AI and Tevel, known for creating apple-picking drones.
While an endorsement from Gates may not sway the debate too much in favor of humanoid robots, it does shed light on the growing mainstream acceptance of this form factor. As the discussion continues, it is clear that the role of humanoid robots in the robotics industry is far from settled.
