Humanoid robots: is it possible for us to learn to live with them?

Rafael Tamames, a trainer and promoter specializing in digital transformation , confesses that despite having seen some robots, such as those from Boston Dynamics, perform authentic feats with great skill and perfection, there is one type of automaton, in particular, that never ceases to amaze him: the so-called 'humanoid robots' (HRs).

He points out that, for example, the Neo Gamma robot from the firm 1X , which will play the role of butler in the home, interacting fluidly with people, has caught his attention, as well as the G1 machine from Unitree , designed for domestic or office tasks, which cooks and cleans, and whose three-fingered hands allow it to manipulate delicate objects.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN : Hybrid couples, between people and robot programs, a growing trend

Another humanoid robot that sparks the curiosity of Tamanes, founder of Vivid Vision , a firm specializing in emerging companies and author of the book 'Artificial Intelligence and You', is the 4ne-1 model, by Neura Robotics , which will be able to perform tedious household tasks, such as ironing clothes and preparing food, he explains.

Other companies that Tamames believes will lead this robotics sector, and whose evolution and innovations he pays special attention to, are Tesla, Agility Robotics, Figure AI, and Collaborative Robotics (Cobot).

ANTHROPOMORPHIC MACHINES “WITH AI SOULS”

“ A robot is a programmable machine, but a humanoid robot, called an anthropomorphic robot, also imitates the body and movements of human beings, ” Tamames points out.

He highlights that “ thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), humanoid robots now learn complex tasks faster and can make autonomous decisions .”

He adds that startups are using a type of AI called generative AI to further improve the capabilities of robots, some of which can learn to perform a task in as little as 20 attempts.

Tamames confesses that he doesn't know whether to be surprised or worried by Brad Porter of Collaborative Robotics' comment about the learning capacity and speed of AI-powered HRs, who has stated that it's much easier to teach one of these machines than a human intern.

Humanoid robots are already being used in homes, offices, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail, as well as in many other sectors and for multiple activities and applications beyond warehouses , he explains.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN : Is the invasion of humanoid domestic robots imminent?

For example, they are already being used in hospitals, retail, construction, the automotive industry, and homes, increasing productivity and the speed of processes and services, improving efficiency, saving time, reducing margins of error, working in harsh environments, and performing an increasing number of tasks, many of them complex.

These machines can handle visitor registration, document delivery, and schedule management; assist seniors and perform household maintenance; answer frequently asked questions; interact with clients; perform surveillance, inspection, and monitoring tasks; automate transactions; search for information and generate reports, he points out.

Although results depend on how they are implemented, humanoid robots can reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, and optimize resources, allowing companies to allocate their human talent to higher-value tasks, according to Tamames.

He adds that “ integrating humanoid robots into office environments can generate significant economic benefits by automating repetitive tasks, improving operational efficiency, and reducing labor costs .”

Humanoid robots with “AI souls” have the potential to usher in an era of unprecedented prosperity if this advancement develops in an environment of freedom, with ethical and legal frameworks that protect individual rights and privacy without stifling innovation through unnecessary regulations, and if every individual has the opportunity to benefit from these advances, according to Tamames.

COEXISTENCE BETWEEN HUMANS AND ROBOTS

It highlights that “ three out of four employees believe that robots can increase production efficiency, but only with human supervision ,” according to a report by Kaspersky.

However, this technological advancement raises questions, not only about the impact of HR on society, work, and the economy, but also on a more psychological and emotional level, raising a key question: Are we prepared to coexist with humanoid robots on a daily basis?

He points out that “ an overly human appearance in HR can cause discomfort and unease in people, while an overly mechanical appearance can hinder empathy and natural interaction .”

Therefore, " to facilitate harmonious coexistence, it is crucial to maintain an appropriate balance in the design of HRs, so that people feel comfortable and safe when interacting with these machines ," he points out.

Tamames believes that “ HRs are being designed to take on repetitive and physically demanding tasks, freeing people up to focus on activities that require human creativity and judgment .”

For example, “ in factories, companies like BMW have integrated robots to perform complex and potentially dangerous tasks, increasing efficiency and work safety ,” he argues.

He points out that “in the domestic sphere, startups such as 1X, backed by OpenAI, are developing robots like Neo Gamma (https://www.1x.tech/neo), designed to assist with household chores and provide companionship, although they also raise debates about privacy and autonomy.”

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN : Perceptive, when my dentist is a robot

For Tamanes, “the implementation of HR must be carried out within ethical and legal frameworks that protect individual rights and privacy, avoiding excessive dependence on technology, and must “ respect individual freedom and not replace human interaction, which is essential for social well-being .”

To facilitate the coexistence between humans and HR, this specialist recommends “ fostering a clear understanding of the capabilities and limitations of this type of robots, promoting transparency about their operation and objectives .”

“ Maintaining a human-centered approach, ensuring that HR complements the human experience rather than replacing it, will ensure that technology enriches our lives without compromising our core values ,” he concludes.

Humanoid robots in homes: they need to be safe

“ The next generation of robots, which will represent the first step towards general-purpose robotics, are multipurpose robots like Digit, which can perform one task in the morning and a completely different task in the afternoon ,” Pras Velagapudi, chief technology officer (CTO) of Agility Robotics (www.agilityrobotics.com), explains to EFE.

" These robots will be able to perform multiple tasks with minimal instruction without requiring a new investment in hardware for each new task they perform, making them very attractive for a variety of uses that single-purpose robots couldn't perform effectively ," he notes.

However, “ introducing humanoid domestic robots is a much more difficult task, since every home is different and the people who live there often have different idiosyncrasies ,” he reflects.

For example, “ while one person might use a bowl as a cooking utensil, another person might use it as an ashtray, so robots are difficult to train to operate in that changing context ,” he explains.

“ Homes need to be safe, as they are where we have children and pets that we need to protect. While multipurpose robots are becoming increasingly common in warehouses, it will still be several years before robotic technology reaches the maturity needed to reach the home ,” Velagapudi believes.

HIGHLIGHTS :

- “ 75% of employees believe robots will increase efficiency, but only with human supervision ,” says Rafael Tamames, an expert in technological and digital transformation. He warns that “ interacting with these machines can generate different emotions, from fascination to discomfort .”

- “ From domestic assistants to those that optimize tasks and services in hospitals and warehouses, humanoid robots (HRs) are setting the pace of the technological revolution. Designed to work in homes, offices, and factories, many are already on sale, but they raise many questions ,” he notes.

- How will humans and human robots coexist? What problems or challenges will this coexistence pose, and what reactions will this provoke? How does the human-like physical characteristics and facial expressions of a robot influence the user? These are key questions to which Tamames offers some answers.

By Ricardo Segura EFE - Reports.