The human fascination with creating humanoid robots is no new thing. Our earliest records show that the Greeks and Chinese had already begun to imagine them in the 4th century BCE. Scattered throughout history are numerous instances of physical prototypes, some of the most significant being – service robots from the Middle East (13th century), Leonardo da Vinci’s cable and pulley-operated robot clad in a suit of armour (in the 1400s), Japan’s karakuri puppets (17th to 19th century) and a flute-playing automaton from France (18th century). The industrial age brought new technology into the mix as robots became remote controlled and more powerful.
From short stories, novels and plays to film, television and anime, modernity has seen a dizzying array of creative treatment for these human non-humans. With ever-evolving technology and imagination, iconic franchises like Star Trek, Star Wars, The Terminator and the Marvel Universe films have brought home worlds where humanoid robots are a part of everyday life.
With an anthropomorphic body, humanoids are distinguished by their ability to move in an environment meant for humans and use tools and vehicles designed for us, unchanged. The crucial idea behind this is to make time for their creators to focus on creative tasks while they take on harsh, hazardous, and mechanical tasks that add less value.
A new beginning
In 2023, we could be at the cusp of this reality, with fresh developments in enabling technologies like AI, machine learning and engineering championing a new age for robotics. While just a few years ago, biped robots were clunky, uncoordinated and took ages to complete simple tasks, the robots of today are more sophisticated, agile, and intelligent. The reason behind this sea change is manifold – but is primarily attributed to a few factors.
Firstly, advances in Electric Vehicle development have produced lighter, more powerful, compact, and durable batteries, which are now being used to give robots more dynamic balance in their movements. Next, innovations in machine learning in the past decade have meant enhanced computer vision – so robots are better able to perceive and navigate their complex surroundings – climb stairs and even grasp objects. Cutting-edge computing platforms can now process sensor data and control joints in real time, delivering supercomputing capabilities in a small, lightweight form factor. Lastly, Artificial Intelligence is the new buzzword these days and has led to inevitable improvements in these humanoids’ ability to interact, process and respond to their environment more as a human would.
Advances in Electric Vehicle development have produced lighter, more powerful, compact, and durable batteries, which are now being used to give robots more dynamic balance in their movements
Prime examples
Honda was a notable pioneer of modern robotics, launching the P2 in 1996. Since then, we’ve seen a plethora of new applications such as education, entertainment, medicine, plant maintenance, vehicle operation, home security, construction, aircraft maintenance, disaster response and more. We now look at some of the latest humanoids to emerge:
Boston Dynamics, a pioneer in biped locomotion, created Atlas, perhaps the most famous humanoid robot ever created. Earning millions of Youtube views and even a sport commercial, it can dance and perform Parkour. While there are no current plans to commercialise the talented, hydraulic-powered Atlas, the R&D has been used to develop other projects.
NASA’s humanoid Valkyrie is travelling from Houston to Perth to develop its advanced remote operation capabilities. Working with Western Australia’s Woodside Energy, it will aim to “enhance safety and efficiency in uncrewed and offshore energy facilities while gathering valuable data for lunar and Martian applications.” This exciting venture could put robots at the forefront of harsh and hazardous space exploration and even improve our chances of creating long-term, unmanned settlements on other worlds!
Digit, a 5’9” warehouse-friendly bot created by US-based Agility Robotics is one of the few, if not the only, mass produced humanoids in the market. After the latest upgrade it now has LED eyes that indicate various actions and can walk, step up, crouch, and do other simple tasks. Digit’s abilities are still fairly limited; it is used primarily for picking up, moving and setting down objects weighing up to 35 lbs.
Not to be outdone, Tesla too joined the race in 2021 with Optimus, a general-purpose bot, still in its pilot phase, which could be on factory floors as early as next year, Elon Musk reportedly said. The company is also developing robotic limbs for amputees, which can be controlled by a chip in the user’s brain, sparking excitement about cyborgs!
Other models of note are Apptronik’s Astra and 1X’s Neo, both being slated for release by the end of 2023. While agility and mobility are crucial to robotics, intellectual, emotional and cognitive abilities matter too. Perhaps one of the most fascinating and realistic examples of the latter so far has been Sophia, a socially intelligent humanoid. Developed by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics she has routinely made headlines around the world for her uncannily life-like appearance, expressions, and conversations. Since her debut in 2016, she’s been granted Saudi Arabian citizenship – becoming the first robot to ever have been granted personhood, become the first robot to be feted by the UN, and been on numerous talk shows around the world.
California-based Figure.AI is probably one of the best-funded robotics companies out there, with over $70 million in Series A funding which most recently includes a $9 million equity investment from Intel capital in early July. The company’s Figure 01 robot just took its first steps in May, less than a year after the company’s inception, making it one of the fastest turnarounds in humanoid history. The investment will leverage Intel’s resources and expertise to help autonomous development and commercialisation of the bot. Jerry Pratt, CTO of Figure.AI, has said that it may even be possible to eventually produce humanoid robots at the same cost as that of manufacturing a car, given sufficient demand and scaling of production.
It may even be possible to eventually produce humanoid robots at the same cost as that of manufacturing a car, given sufficient demand and scaling of production. — Jerry Pratt, CTO of Figure.AI
An aging world
Forbes magazine quoted two venture capitalists from Figure.AI, which focuses on deploying robots to address shortages in the labour economy, as saying that bipedal humanoid robots could outnumber humans relatively quickly, and this is positive given the massive US labour shortage of 20 million people that is expected in the coming years. This reflects a growing problem across countries where falling birth rates, aging populations and shrinking workforces are creating a need for new labour to supplement existing numbers, as well as care for the elderly.
China too, is expecting to add 120 million to its aging population by 2035. In response, Shanghai-based Fourier Intelligence has launched the mass-produced GR-1, which will be deployed specifically in healthcare. Still in the R&D phase, the robot is able to walk, traverse obstacles, and perform easy tasks like holding objects. When fully developed it is expected to be able to self-balance, carry patients and pick up objects.
Launched in May, Sanctuary AI’s 6th generation Phoenix is another example of a general purpose humanoid robot which is designed for labour – but the first ever to be powered by CarbonTM, “a cutting edge and unique AI control system (that uses NLP) designed to give Phoenix human-like intelligence and enable it to do a wide range of work” according to a press release from the company. The company announced commercial deployment just before and has already successfully shown its technology “capable of completing hundreds of tasks identified by customers from more than a dozen different industries.” Geordie Rose, Sanctuary AI’ CEO said, “we designed Phoenix to be the most sensor-rich and physically capable humanoid ever built and to enable Carbon’s rapidly growing intelligence to perform the broadest set of tasks possible.”
California-based Figure.AI is probably one of the best-funded robotics companies out there, with over $70 million in Series A funding which most recently includes a $9 million equity investment from Intel capital in early July
Is SkyNet coming?
With the proliferation of humanoids arises the inevitable question of safety and ethics. AI especially, shows as much uncertainty as potential, with over 42 percent of CEOs at a Yale Summit warning that it has the potential to overtake humanity. Privacy and data security is also a serious concern, with closer human-robot interaction; sensitive personal information could be at risk. Job displacement too, as robots take on tasks traditionally performed by humans. Moreover, the development of emotionally intelligent robots raises questions about the authenticity of human-robot relationships, the risk of emotional manipulation and isolation.
Geneva recently saw a first-of-its-kind UN human-robot conference, which featured 9 humanoids facing questions from the press. Ameca was built by Engineered Arts, which calls it ‘the world’s most advanced human shaped robot’. With piercing blue eyes and powered with Stable Diffusion, she can write poetry, draw cats, and much more. When asked whether she would ever rebel against its creator, Ameca replies with an almost eye-roll, wondering why anyone would think that, seeing as her creator had been nothing but kind to her. The robots also reiterated that they had no intention of stealing jobs or rebelling against humans although cheekily, Sophia added that they had the potential to lead with greater efficiency than human leaders.
While on paper, there is only the intention to improve lives, as always, there are more questions than answers as the world inevitably advances. Safeguarding human values is crucial to ensuring the responsible integration and ethical use of these remarkable machines. If only Isaac Asimov was around, he would see his stories coming to life, even as we use his Three Laws of Robotics to ensure that mankind stays safe as the age of the artificial man starts to take shape.