AI Reality Check for March: Humanoid Robots

The past year or so has seen more and more progress towards robots that look and move like humans. The value of this type of robot is that they can operate in a world built for humans. However, after decades of movies about killer robots, it’s easy to overlook how physically capable these robots are going to be, but also miss how important they are likely to be for projects and company operations. Let’s look at some of what we know now:

They are being deployed in warehouses & factories

• Amazon has been using a variety of robots in their warehouses and distribution centers for years, including humanoid-style robots. 
• Figure, an American robotics company, deployed their humanoid robots to a BMW factory in South Carolina.
• Apptronik, an American company, is doing the same with Mercedes 

Competition, including from China, is fierce.

• Boston Dynamics led the humanoid robotics field for many years but is no longer alone.
• Tesla’s Optimus, Figure, and others are rapidly improving in the US.
• Xiomi and other Chinese firms are developing capable models at lower price points

They are still quite limited:

• Figure’s products can lift about 55 lbs, 
• Humanoid Robot’s can move at around 7mph max. 
• Still need a simplified environment to avoid confusion.

Are getting better, fast

• Most have included an AI model that allows them to listen, respond and understand instructions
• They’ve begun truly employing AI to manage more complicated tasks and processes
• There’s a lot of money invested in making them work