Humanoids Robots are quickly gaining steam in terms of their capabilities and use cases. Only a few years ago, these robots were clumsy and awkward, yet now, multiple startups have models that are built to be employed in warehouses and factories. This radical change from trial-and-error is largely due to technology advances in computer vision, machine learning, power-dense batteries, and other platforms.
In 2015, Jerry Pratt, a senior research scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, co-founded Figure AI, a company developing a humanoid robot tailored for warehouse operations. This robot is already taking its first steps in Sunnyvale, California, and the company has just received a $70 million of investment funding. If Figure’s humanoid robot someday manages to get production at a similar cost to cars, robotic technology could be on the brink of a major tipping point.
Other humanoid robotics companies, such as 1X, Apptronik, and Tesla, have joined the race to develop humanoid robots for deployment in various industrial applications. This interest was sparked in part by Elon Musk’s attendance of the original Darpa Robotics Challenge in 2015; it’s clear that the technology for humanoid robots has matured and become viable enough for leading figures to begin leveraging it.
Similarly, Jonathan Hurst, a professor at Oregon State University and co-founder of Agility Robotics, built a walking robot that participated in the Darpa Challenge. Agility’s approach has largely been physics-focused from the get-go, which has led to the production of robot legs that look more organic than just an imitation of human limbs.
When looking at Figure’s humanoid robot, the company’s CEO Brett Adcock projects that robots could replicate human limb movements and navigate warehouse environments as early as the next few years. These robots would also be far more efficient than humans as they can do various tasks with significantly fewer mistakes.
All in all, it is quite clear that the era of humanoid robots is coming of age. As the technology progresses, we are likely to see more companies joining this field, and humanoid robots may soon become an invaluable asset in warehouses and factories alike.
