Zoe Kleinman, (BBC)
Tesla fans and Elon Musk were dazzled by the unveiling of Optimus, a prototype humanoid robot, in California last week.
I also enjoyed the show, but I’m not alone in wondering why, aside from the wow factor, Optimus is so human-like.
And while fans hate any tangible criticism, Musk said Optimus isn’t ready to hit the market, even anytime soon.
The argument made is that humans are better equipped to work with human tools, in human environments. And people may feel more comfortable interacting with something a little more like them. And of course, the robot looks great.
“A lot of companies are into humanoid robotics because it’s exciting for the public to see, but wheeled robots, even drones, are much easier to do,” says Owen Nicholson, CEO of Salamcore, a sensor-vision company. Controlled by a robot with legs. Because the amount of work that goes into just getting a humanoid robot to stand upright is just huge.”
The robot technology behind Optimus seems to be sound and perfect. Tesla isn’t exactly a beginner at all, but, says Nicholson, Tesla’s launch of the robot is a sign that the machine has evolved into something more physical. proces.
In my work as a tech journalist, I’ve seen plenty of robots, of all shapes and sizes, designed to clean, care for the elderly, teach, perform surgery, work as receptionists and tour guides, play chess and more. Some of these robots work better than others, and rarely. As companies go ahead with manufacturing everything that is exposed.
But robots have progressed faster in the past decade. And the robots of 2022 are much more skilled than the ones I first saw in 2008.
And always and many times, the robots that impress often don’t look like humans. Microsurgical robots, warehouse robots, and window-cleaning robots, none of which are humanlike.
Humanoid robots might be expected to operate and interact like humans, performing a variety of different tasks, but Professor Helen Hastie of the National Authority for Robotics Technology in Edinburgh says the robots are a long way from being able to multitask.
