Since the dawn of the film industry, movie directors have created Sci-Fi films, and one of the most common things in a Sci-Fi film is a humanoid robot or a robot that might not look like a human but talks just like a human. It’s like we are obsessed with having a robot that has humanlike features. Scientists have been trying to figure out how to make a humanoid robot for decades now, and the recent growth in AI infrastructure has given scientists a ray of hope. Still, as of now, the humanoid robots that are operational are more for show than they are practical. However, scientists have not stopped working towards their goal of making a life-size humanoid robot.
What Are Humanoid Robots?
As the name suggests, humanoid robots are robots that are capable of working in public spaces and can talk and walk like normal human beings with much more mental and physical capabilities than any human. The perfect example of a humanoid robot is Star Wars ‘3-CPO’ or the Indian Movie Robot character ‘Chitti’. Both of these characters can talk and express themselves like humans but are miles ahead when it comes to physical strength and intellect.
Where Are We With Real-Life Humanoid Robots?
Now, the question that lingers is, do we have real-life humanoid robots? Yes, we do have several humanoid robots, although they are not perfect. The first full-scale, self-learning humanoid robot that was made public was Sophia. It was developed by Hong Kong-based company Hanson Robotics. Sophia made ‘her’ first appearance in Austin, Texas, where she was presented as a social robot and was interacting freely with the public. After Sophia, many other humanoid robots were also introduced who performed somewhat like Sophia. Although these robots are supposed to be AI and self-learning, there were times when the audience left them at a loss for words.
It might come as a surprise, but India also has a bunch of Humanoid robots that are designed for different things. The most realistic of them is Vyommitra, which is a female-looking humanoid robot which was developed to be a part of the Gaganyaan Mission. Vyommitra is supposed to be a part of an uncrewed experimental mission and will later become part of the crewed mission, accompanying Indian astronauts. Many other countries are also working on developing a humanoid robot mainly to test their other equipment. It’s safe to say that the trend of humanoid robots is going nowhere. Robotics is one of the top technology trends of all time to change the world.
Real-World Applications Of Humanoid Robots
There are many real-world applications of humanoid robots. One of the benefits of humanoid research is that to make a perfect humanoid robot, researchers study the human body heavily, which in turn reveals a lot about the human body itself. Right Now, the main focus of researchers is on the cognitive abilities of humans. The question researchers are asking themselves is, how does the brain receive sensory input from our senses? This is important for constructing a computerised model of the human brain. This research can be a breakthrough in the development of technology that will further enhance human cognition and help in the development of humanoids. Some other peaceful real-world applications of Humanoid Robots are:
Medical And Research
Humanoid robots can play an extraordinary role in the fields of medicine, biotechnology and rehabilitation. First of all, the race to develop a working and good humanoid robot has urged researchers to invest more of their time in researching the human body, which helps a lot in the medical field. On top of that, Humanoid robots are being used to develop complex and life-like prosthetics for people who have lost a body part. Another use of humanoid robots in medical research is that they can help in nursing homes and rehabilitation centres.
Entertainment
Even before robots were a reality, entertainment has used robotic characters. But there is another application of robots. Humanoids can replace humans when it comes to doing stunts. Every entertainment industry uses stunt doubles for stunts, and it keeps the lives of the stuntmen in danger. A humanoid robot can easily perform all the stunts, and the risk of injury or death is also not present.
Demonstrative Purposes
Another humanoid robot use is in the demonstration of upcoming technologies or products. A humanoid robot can be used to test the safety rating of a car. It can be used in space exploration mission experiments to calculate the probability of survival for real astronauts. They can be used for pretty much any demonstrative effort where the life of the demonstrator is on the line.
Future Of Humanoid Robots
The Future of humanoid robots is not certain. This doesn’t mean that there wouldn’t be a humanoid robot, but the actual timeline of that happening is impossible to anticipate. Some of the most technologically advanced companies and governments from all around the world are spending billions of dollars on machine learning and AI, which is very important for making a true humanoid robot. As of today, the humanoid robot market is worth somewhere around $2 billion, but it is expected that by 2032, this number will be $212 billion. China has recently announced that it will be mass-producing humanoid robots by 2025, and the funny thing is, China might actually do it. Moreover, the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has also announced that he will develop a humanoid robot that will replace humans in performing boring and repetitive tasks.
Dangers Of Humanoid Robots
If Science Fiction movies have taught us anything, it’s that AI and humanoid robots are a threat to human society. But is it true? Well, it’s not that easy to say if a humanoid robot is a danger to human society or not. There is always a chance of AI or robots going berzerk, but their danger mainly depends on the application of the said humanoid robot. For instance, a robot in a nursing house is a lot less dangerous than a robot that is made for a war.
Our Take On This
The revolution of Humanoid robots is still underway, and it will take a huge breakthrough for this fiction to turn into a reality. One thing is for sure: humanoid robots will be a reality; it’s just a matter of time before that happens. It will be a privilege to watch this technology reach the consumer market in our lifetime.
