Robots are coming. They're starting to be used in sports, at work, or just as companions
Recently, a humanoid robot developed by Chinese smartphone manufacturer Honor managed to run a distance of 100 meters in just 9.32 seconds. It thus broke the world record held by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. In what ways are human-like robots realistic? And in what ways are they still unable to replace us?
A robot designated Lightning achieved a maximum speed of 14.5 meters per second during a test run as part of the second edition of the World Humanoid Robot Games. In April, it already won a half marathon held in Beijing, which was attended by both humans and humanoid robots. It ran the distance of approximately 21 kilometers in 50 minutes and 26 seconds. It thus beat the official world record of Ugandan endurance runner Jacob Kiplimo by almost seven minutes, who covered this distance in 57 minutes and 20 seconds. In addition to running, humanoid robots can also handle other sports disciplines – such as football, long jump, weightlifting, tug of war, or table tennis.
Work Assistants
But it certainly doesn't end with sports. Robots are able to move independently in an environment and perform tasks that humans teach them. For example, to pick specific goods from a box and then bring them to a predetermined location. That's why they are frequently used in industry. For instance, in sorting products, order fulfillment, or small-scale assembly. However, most of these are still pilot projects.
And how much can they handle?
"At this moment, they are slower, less accurate and less resistant to unexpected situations. On the other hand, they can help where positions are difficult to fill. For example, in ergonomically demanding work or in dangerous environments. This includes inspections in challenging spaces, such as in mines or in petrochemistry,"
explained recently to Deník the head of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Humanoid Robotics, Václav Kubáček.
The weak point of humanoid robots is also shown by another example. During training for the aforementioned World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, one of them started running too fast, couldn't brake, and crashed into a barrier at full speed. A problem arose that its designers apparently hadn't fully considered - that it also needs to know how to stop.
Humanoid robots try to resemble people in their appearance as well. They therefore also have a torso, upper and lower limbs, and a head. However, some projects focus only on certain details of creating such a robot, such as the head or hand.
How to Get a Robot
As the first, the company UBtech will start mass-producing humanoid robots that are extremely similar to humans. They will be intended mainly as companions, not as a workforce.
Their skin will be soft to the touch. They will also have pores and fingerprints, which will be made from high-quality medical silicone. The hair and eyes will also be artificial, which will reportedly be almost indistinguishable from a human at sight.
Model U1 from the UWORLD series will be equipped with cameras in the eyes, sensors in the chest and microphones. Its battery will last up to four hours of operation. The basic version will cost the equivalent of more than 370 thousand crowns.
Robots for household work will reportedly be launched this fall by the Norwegian-American company 1X Technologies. First in the United States and next year in Europe.
Its Neo model can also communicate and remind about meetings, recognize faces, but also fold laundry, vacuum, carry objects and other work activities. It will cost the equivalent of over 420 thousand crowns.
China Leads
Globally, around 15 thousand humanoid units were installed last year. They are probably most widespread in China, according to an analysis by British company Barclays. The country has already produced over 400 different models of humanoid robots.
There are multiple reasons why this particular country is leading. One of the main ones is unfavorable demographic development. The low number of newborn children means they will soon need to be replaced somehow. Including by humanoid robots. However, the expansion of this described trend is also expected elsewhere. Analysts from JPMorgan therefore also estimate that global humanoid deliveries will reach approximately 60 thousand units this year and grow to as many as 1.75 million robots by 2030.
And will we one day commonly encounter robots on the street?
"I assume that companies will have, for example, a fleet of humanoids for cleaning. Whether everyone will have them at home, that's a question. Personally, I wouldn't require it, plus it won't be as cheap as a regular appliance,"
Kubáček adds in conclusion.
Sources: original text, Deník, Seznam Zprávy, Wikipedia
