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:
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.
