Renowned roboticist and iRobot founder Rodney Brooks has recently raised concerns about a burgeoning investment bubble in the humanoid robot sector. In a recent essay, Brooks highlighted the substantial venture capital flowing into companies like Figure, expressing skepticism about their ability to develop robots with the necessary dexterity for practical applications.
Brooks’ perspective aligns with that of several robotics-focused venture capitalists and AI researchers who anticipate that widespread adoption of humanoid robots remains several years, if not decades, away.
Challenges Facing Humanoid Robots
Fady Saad, general partner at Cybernetix Ventures and co-founder of MassRobotics, suggests that beyond potential applications in space exploration, the current market for humanoid robots is limited. He notes that while recent advancements may impress those unfamiliar with the field, there is skepticism regarding the actual use cases and revenue generation potential of these robots.
Safety is a significant concern, especially when humanoid robots operate alongside humans in environments like factory floors or homes. Saad points out potential risks, such as the possibility of robots causing harm if they malfunction or are hacked. He questions the comfort level of individuals having humanoid robots in their homes, considering scenarios where the robots could pose threats to pets or children.
Uncertain Timelines
The timeline for the development and deployment of humanoid robots is another critical issue. Sanja Fidler, vice president of AI research at Nvidia, indicates that achieving the necessary advancements in artificial intelligence and robotics for practical humanoid robots could take several years. This uncertainty poses challenges for venture capitalists who operate within specific fund lifecycles and need to provide returns to their investors within set timeframes.
Industry Perspectives
Despite the challenges, some companies continue to invest in humanoid robot development. For instance, Apptronik raised $350 million to build humanoid robots with assistance from Google. However, skepticism remains about the immediate viability of these robots in industrial settings. At events like Modex, humanoid robots have faced continued skepticism, with many industry professionals questioning their practicality and readiness for widespread adoption.
In summary, while the concept of humanoid robots continues to captivate the imagination and attract significant investment, experts like Rodney Brooks and Fady Saad caution that the technology and market are not yet prepared for their widespread integration. Safety concerns, technological limitations, and uncertain development timelines suggest that the world is not quite ready for humanoid robots.
