Everyday AI
4 min read · Oct 29, 2024
The train of robotics is coming, and they’re closer to our doorsteps than ever before. Like the predictions in many cinematic films
PROJECX Team
Published Oct 29, 2024
The train of robotics is coming, and they’re closer to our doorsteps than ever before. Like the predictions in many cinematic films, robots are here to usher human civilisation into a new era, taking over the routine, repetitive tasks people once handled.
But with Tesla's CEO, the American billionaire, announcing the upcoming 'Optimus' robot, how will this revolutionary development impact the industry? How will Optimus assist humanity? And what does the future hold as robots become integrated into our daily lives?
Reports and studies reveal that investment in the robotics market is expected to reach 10.47 billion USD by 2027, with an average growth rate of 43.4% during the projected period from 2021 to 2027.
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Reports reveal that the race in robotics has intensified recently, with investments from companies, organizations, and countries doubling. Indicators show that China leads the humanoid robot race with 290.3 units in 2022, followed by Japan with 50.4 and the United States with an average of 39.6. The last country on the list is Mexico, with 6.0 units, according to the International Federation of Robotics.
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Optimus robot is the name Elon Musk chose for Tesla’s robot, inspired by the main character in the popular American science fiction action series, Transformers. Musk has promised that Tesla’s Optimus will handle some of the most routine and strenuous tasks that individuals face in their daily lives.
The Optimus Robot captivated attendees at Tesla's main event, where it was introduced alongside the latest product launch, the Robotaxi.
The robot surprised audiences with its sleek black-and-white design, dancing, serving drinks, and interacting with human guests. Optimus represents a major leap forward in the development of bipedal robots.
In this context, Musk’s robot isn’t the only one being tested. Numerous companies are racing to develop human-form, or humanoid, robots, including Agility Robotics, Neura Robotics, Boston Dynamics, Apptronik, Reflex Robotics, and others—each version becoming increasingly capable. These companies, like Musk, also promise that their humanoid robots will assist humans in daily tasks and responsibilities.
Furthermore, many of these companies are focused on developing bipedal robots due to their mobility and the versatility of robotic arms, enabling them to easily perform human tasks and closely simulate human actions in the workplace.
In this debate, scholars are divided into two camps. Optimistic scholars believe that humanoid robots will rapidly advance in the coming years, eventually assisting humans in their work.
In contrast, pessimistic scholars argue that humanoid robots are far from mimicking human behaviour and movements, considering such capabilities out of reach. This debate is not new but has persisted over time. The question remains: Can humanoid robots replace humans in various jobs?
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In the Tesla event on 10 October 2023, Musk said that Optimus would simulate human behaviour in mobility and at work, announcing to the audience that it could walk the dog, take care of pets, go to the market and shop, mow the lawn, and much more.
Analysts, in this regard, believe his capabilities and investment in technology; to them, Musk's promises are possible as he has a solid track record of making technology work. Although highly criticized, many experts in the field think he can pull it off.
In this context, many analysts would bet that Optimus is likely to appear first in factories, not homes. That is, they say humanoid robots can be pretty high-maintenance, considering things like cost, maintenance, and safety concerns that make the route into households more tricky.
For instance, at an e-commerce warehouse in Atlanta's suburbs, the Digit robot from Agility Robotics places containers full of Spanx shapewear products onto a conveyor belt.
Most experts find it unsuitable for household chores, incapable of performing tasks like a human. Thus, holding a very pessimistic view about the future of Optimus.
Furthermore, humanoid robots require long-term programming, testing, and trial and error. Thus, household chores are much more complicated for a robot to tackle and manage.
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There are several challenges that robots, including Optimus, face. These challenges include, but are not limited to:
Cameras
Lidar
Radar that creates a vision
Motors
Actuators
Power packs
Computers that act as the brain
Programming
Batteries that require a long time to charge.
Ultimately, the question and the argument revolve around the ongoing debate regarding humanoid robots: Will Optimus secure and represent a new stage in the world of robots?
Read more: AI and Digital Transformation for Growth
Written by
PROJECX Team
The people who design, build, and ship PROJECX products — writing about what we're testing, what breaks, and what we'd do differently next time.
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