Manufacturing is a prime application for humanoids because of its structured environment. However, the ability of these robots to interact with humans remains a key issue to be addressed to move from basic automation to collaboration.
If there is one technology that’s driving more excitement than artificial intelligence (AI) at the moment, it’s a particular application of AI—humanoid robots. In fact, many industry observers expect that one of the largest transitions in the global labor market is going to happen as a result of the development of a new generation of robots, specifically those in human form-factor. Goldman Sachs, for example, predicts the total addressable market for humanoid robots will reach $38 billion by 2035, with a substantial portion of this growth to come from the use of these robots use in structured environments like manufacturing.
Despite all the current excitement around humanoid robots, there remains a strong debate about the design of humanoids. One relates to their form factor while the other focuses on their current capabilities for human-like interaction.
The assumption that designing a robot in human form automatically enhances its functionality is not straightforward. But there are strong arguments for why it is a powerful form factor:
-Much of the world is built to fit the human form factor (homes, stores, factories), therefore, a robot operating in this world can only benefit from having a human-like form factor and mobility.
-Because humans thrive on interacting with people, the thesis is that, if a technology was designed to look like us, we would instinctively be able to interact with it more easily.
Looking at the early markets for humanoid robots, the factory floor stands out as a prime candidate. This is for several reasons including the fact that factory floors are typically more structured environments (unlike other human-inhabited spaces). Additionally, tasks performed in these settings are often isolated, making it easier to train robots to perform specific tasks in a controlled, predictable environment.
