Background

What is a Humanoid Robot ?

A humanoid robot is a robot that has a shape similar to that of the human body. The
design could be for experimental goals, such as studying bipedal walking, or for
functional purposes, including interacting with human tools and settings. While some
humanoid robots may merely duplicate a portion of the body, most humanoid robots
feature a torso, head, two arms, and two legs (Humanoid Robot, n.d.).

History of Humanoid Robots

First, it is said that the word "robota", which means "hard work" in Czech, is the root
of the English word "robot." It is commonly believed that the word "robot" was originally
used in the 1920 Czechoslovakian drama R.U.R. (Rossum's Universal Robots).
Reading this satirical tale today doesn't seem outdated because it addresses the idea of
artificial humans that are able to perform human tasks (Čapek & Chino, 2021).

The robots in R.U.R. are referred to as humanoid robots, and they do manual tasks like
typing and accountancy. Along with having faces and limbs, they can run, walk, talk,
and battle. Within three years of its release, the story of a dynamic humanoid robot was
translated into thirty other languages due to its immense popularity. It seems that the
word "robot" spread swiftly (Čapek & Chino, 2021).

In the late 1920s, three humanoid robots appeared in the real world. Westinghouse
Electric Corporation, a general electrical appliance maker in the United States, invented
the “Televox” to control electric appliances remotely. W.H. Richards in England and Alan
Refel, an aircraft engineer, invented the “Eric ” to be able to stand and sit. And lastly,
Japanese biologist Makoto Nishimura invented the “Gakutensoku,” which changed
facial expressions and was able to write Japanese characters. Making the leap from a
2D world to a 3D world, this is when humanoid robots started to appear in reality (Čapek
& Chino, 2021).

Over the past 40 years, a wide variety of humanoid robots have emerged in Japan,
including Waseda University’s WABOT, Honda’s ASIMO, SONY’s QRIO, Fujitsu’s
HOAP, Kondo’s KHR Series, and the HRP series jointly developed by National
Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and Kawada Robotics. Even
Sony’s AIBO, a canine robot that serves as a pet, has appeared (Čapek & Chino, 2021).

Humanoid robots have long attracted smiles as performers in roles where they simply
had to walk, run or dance. But in recent years, more and more robots have emerged
with the main purpose of interacting with human beings. In 2014, Softbank announced
Pepper. In 2015, Vstone announced Sota. And, in 2016, Sharp announced Robophone.
All of these robots were developed as service robots with a humorous communication
style that emulates human figures (Čapek & Chino, 2021).

Artificial Intelligence in Robotics

One of the most revolutionary technological developments in robotics is artificial
intelligence (AI), which is transforming the way robots carry out jobs. The idea of
"artificial intelligence robots," which was once a future concept from space operas, is
now a reality and is influencing industries all over the world. Modern AI-powered robots
are capable of data retrieval, experience-based learning, reasoning, and
decision-making, in contrast to their predecessors. In industries including
manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and domestic services, these skills greatly
increase their efficacy and adaptability (Jain, 2024).

Theory Required

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI technologies, such as computer vision, natural language processing (NLP), deep
learning, and machine learning (ML), that underpin humanoid robots (AI in Robotics:
Benefits, Applications & Current Trends, 2024).

Robotics Fundamentals
kinematics (motion planning), sensor fusion, and actuators.

Control Systems and Autonomy

control systems for maintaining balance, walking, and manipulation, as well as
autonomy in decision-making (AI in Robotics: Benefits, Applications & Current Trends,
2024).

Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)

The study of human-robot relations. Artificial intelligence, robotics, natural language
processing, design, psychology, philosophy, and human-computer interaction are some
of the disciplines that have contributed to the multidisciplinary field of human-robot
interaction (Asimov, n.d.).
Description of the specialization

What Makes Humanoid Robots Unique

Humanoid robots are unique because they are designed to mimic the human form and
interact with humans in everyday environments:

Human-like shape
Humanoid robots can use the same tools and surroundings as individuals since
they have been created to resemble people.

Sensors and cameras

Sensors and cameras enable humanoid robots to recognize faces, react to
spoken instructions, and carry on conversations.

Social interaction
Humanoid robots are able to connect with people in normal environments.
Nadine, for instance, is a humanoid robot that can remember conversations,
make eye contact, and return the favor.

Designed to work with humans

The objective of humanoid robots is to assist, not to replace, people. They may
improve human potential in a range of contexts and tasks.

Examples of AI Powered Robots

1. Sofia: The Robot

Sophia was activated by Hanson Robotics in February 2016, and the robot was first
seen by the public in mid-March of the same year. Sophia became the first robot to be
granted citizenship in any nation when she was granted Saudi Arabian citizenship a
year later. Sophia received the title of inaugural Innovation Champion from the United
Nations Development Programme a month later (Gray, 2022).

In 2018, OpenCog, an AI system for general reasoning, a chat system, and scripting
software were all part of Sophia's architecture. Sophia was given walking capabilities
and functional legs the same year (Gray, 2022).

Additionally, Hanson integrated Alphabet's constantly improving speech recognition

technology. Hanson anticipated that Sophia would be a good companion for the elderly
in nursing homes or be employed to assist huge crowds at parks or events (Gray,
2022).
2. Digit (Agility Robotics)
Digit is a 5’9” tall humanoid robot weighing 140 pounds that walks at a speed of 3.3 mph
and can carry loads of up to 35 lbs. First unveiled in 2019, Digit has undergone
significant changes from its prior version, which had a torso and arms mounted above
the company’s earlier robotic legs called Cassie. The next generation (2023) was
introduced, with the improved hands and head becoming the fourth iteration (Sahota,
2024).

3. Figure 01 (Figure AI)

In March 2023, Figure AI emerged stealthily from obscurity with its humanoid robot
called Figure 01, and proudly claimed it to be “the world’s first commercially viable
general-purpose humanoid robot.” At five foot six inches and weighing in at 132 pounds
this robot can walk a distance of up to 2.6 mphr lift loads of as much as 44 pounds, and
remain fully operational for five hours on one charge. By March 2024; however, Figure
AI had demonstrated this by explaining the decisions made during the moves while
interacting in useful ways with humans (Sahota, 2024).

Figure AI’s aim is clear: even though single-use cases have dominated commercialized
robotics for decades now, there remains an untapped potential for universal-purpose
robots. Through the implementation of its advanced humanoids, it seeks to improve
productivity levels across various industries while reducing costs and providing secure
working environments (Sahota, 2024) .

Applications
Humanoid robots are rapidly being used in customer service to welcome visitors and
manage transactions, healthcare to assist patients, and education to tutor pupils. The
potential uses of AI appear endless as its capabilities increase, so long as we properly
develop this technology while maintaining important human responsibilities and
interactions. Our capacities are being enhanced in previously unheard-of ways by these
humanoid robots, which are highly complicated but essentially computing systems.

Health Sector

Patient care: Tasks like verifying vital signs, giving medication, and offering
emotional support can be carried out by humanoid robots. Additionally, they can
assist individuals who are uncomfortable or worried (Thomas, n.d.).

Radiology: For employees in radiology departments, humanoid robots can

assist lower risk and improve safety (Thomas, n.d.).
 Precise surgery: In small spaces, humanoid robots are capable of accurate
surgery.

Education

Personalized learning: Humanoid robots can deliver individualized training and

feedback by adjusting to a student's learning style and pace (Thomas, n.d.).

Teaching a variety of subjects: Numerous topics, such as reading, writing,

languages, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, can be taught by
humanoid robots (Thomas, n.d.).

Exposure to advanced technology: Students can become more used to and at

ease with cutting-edge technology by interacting with humanoid robots.

Advantages
Increased Productivity: Humanoid robots, in contrast to human workers,
are able to work constantly without becoming tired, which allows for continuous
productivity in industries like retail, manufacturing, and customer service.

Real-Time Monitoring: Real-time data collection by humanoid robots allows

them to keep an eye on client behavior, health, and environmental variables
while making judgments.

Reduction in Human Labor

Humanoid robots can assist in reducing the need for human labor in businesses
with physically demanding or highly repetitive jobs, which can minimize hiring,
training, and turnover costs.

Advancement in AI and Robotics: Humanoid robots push the limits of

robotics and artificial intelligence, promoting study, creativity, and the creation of
new technologies with broad uses.

Creation of New Jobs: While certain jobs may be replaced by robots,

economic growth is supported by the desire for new positions in robot creation,
AI programming, maintenance, and operation.
Disadvantages

High Development and Maintenance Costs

Building humanoid robots requires high-tech components, sensors, and

advanced AI software, which makes their development expensive.

Limited Autonomy and Flexibility

Dependence on Programming: Despite advancements, humanoid

robots still rely heavily on pre-programmed instructions and may struggle
to handle unexpected or complex situations.

Challenges in Unstructured Environments: Humanoid robots often

perform best in controlled environments and can face limitations in
adapting to highly dynamic, unstructured settings, such as unpredictable
social interactions or chaotic disaster zones.

Ethical and Social Concerns

Privacy Issues: AI-powered humanoid robots often collect and process

data on human interactions, raising privacy and data security concerns.

Human Discomfort and Ethical Boundaries: Some people find

human-like robots unsettling, and ethical questions arise about the role of
robots in caregiving, companionship, and jobs that require empathy,
potentially affecting human relationships.