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How fascinating is it to be greeted by machines that act, speak, walk, and do every activity just like you? Does it feel like a dream or a scene from a science fiction novel? However, it is not. It is not even a futuristic world. As you all know, our world is evolving rapidly, and the advancements we witness today are more like dreams. The developments in robotics are among the most fascinating. Humanoid robots have been a constant awe factor in science experiments.
From day-to-day chores to revolutionary developments in different industries, humanoid robots have taken part in various activities recently. Even after a lot of evolvements and developments, these humanoid robots amuse us. Have you wondered how interacting with these machines who mimic human behavior would feel like? These robots revolutionaries most industries. It has even started to get involved in people’s day-to-day lives.
However, a layer of unfamiliarity still exists between common people and humanoid robots. Today, we will be reducing this unfamiliarity by exploring the nooks and corners of humanoid robots. Get ready to meet some of the best humanoid robots in use today. In this article, you will learn all the major of the top ten humanoid robots around us. So, let’s dive deeper into them.
The Integration of Humanoid Robots into Society
Although humanoid robots are making advancements in various industries, including logistics, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing, their participation in social activities is limited. Reports suggest that the market of humanoid robots is about to witness a massive increase. While the market value was at $1.8 billion in 2023, experts expect it to be over $13 billion by 2028.
Scientists note that over the years more AI technologies and features will be introduced to them, making them more human-like. However, even when reports predict a giant leap in humanoid robots, the uncertainties that loom on it still exist.
Although these robots are launched only after pilot program testing with their human counterparts, certain sections of society still doubt their safety and security. These people also find the proliferation of humanoid robots in society creepy and dangerous. They also have doubts about these robots taking hold of human labor, causing uncertainties in the workplace. So, the integration of humanoid robots into the society is still uncertain.
The Best Humanoid Robots in Use
Among various research, findings, and developments, some humanoid robots have already become popular in society. This section will offer a broad understanding of the top ten humanoid robots among them. They are:
1. Sophia
Have you ever come across this name? Sophia is a popular humanoid robot, who became the talk of the town. Sophia, a well-liked humanoid robot, became the talk of the town. Sophia is the first robot citizen in history and the first robot Innovation Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). So, with these designations, Sophia is a global name, known and discussed by the whole world.
Developed by a Hong Kong company, this humanoid robot was launched on February 14, 2016. With its first public appearance in mid-March at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, Sophia gained global attention. Developed with Hanson AI, Sophia interacts similarly to that of a human. Sophia can process emotional, visual, and conversational data, which made Sophia a college commencement speaker.
2. Digit
Agility Robotics created Digit, a humanoid robot. It is capable of tedious work such as loading and unloading. With two legs and many sensors, Digit’s design helps it move more dynamically. Moreover, Digit’s size and shape are suitable for buildings and logistic works that suit humans. Furthermore, Agility Robotics has teamed up with Amazon to test its humanoid robots collaboratively with Amazon employees.
3. Atlas
Developed by Boston Dynamics, an American robotics company, Atlas is a bipedal humanoid robot. Reports suggest that the major funding and oversight for the development of Atlas is by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Introduced to the public in July 2013, Atlas was initially used for search and rescue missions. This robot can also perform advanced athletics and agility due to the presence of an advanced control system and state-of-the-art hardware. As Atlas is built with 3D-printed parts, the company uses this robot to research and analyze the possibilities of movements in a humanoid robot.
4. Punyo
Punyo is a humanoid robot developed by the Toyota Research Institute. The Japanese word “punyo” denotes cuteness and resilience. Adhering to the meaning of its name, Punyo has a sleek and squishy appearance. Designed mainly for lifting activities, Punyo lifts objects differently and uniquely. Instead of using its hands, Punyo uses its arms and chest to lift and manage loads.
5. Jia Jia
Jia Jia is the first humanoid robot developed by the People’s Republic of China. Jia Jia can engage in simple conversations, make specific facial expressions, and move her hands. This robot was developed by the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei. What makes Jia Jia attractive is that she can move her eyes freely and almost all her lip movements align with her speech.
6. Robonaut 2
Robonaut 2 is a joint venture of NASA and General Motors. These two companies developed this humanoid robot in an agreement to develop robots that work hand in hand with humans including astronauts in space and working in manufacturing units. Robonaut 2 was first launched into space in 2011 as a torso-only robot restricted to a stanchion. Later in 2014, the mobility platform of this robot was improved by adding two legs.
7. Phoenix
Developed by Sanctuary AI’s pioneering AI control system, Phoenix is the first general-purpose humanoid robot in the world. Moreover, it is the only general-purpose robot featured in TIME’s Best Inventions 2023. Sanctuary AI develops the latest version of Phoenix with improved abilities, importantly with faster task learning skills. Furthermore, the AI control system in Phoenix mimics subsystems in the human brain such as memory, sound, sight, and touch, providing a more humane touch to Phoenix.
8. Pepper
Although not fully humanoid, Pepper is a semi-humanoid robot developed by SoftBank Robotics. First introduced at a conference in 2014, Pepper can interpret emotions. Pepper is a widely used robot in various places including homes, shopping malls, schools, offices, and senior residential homes. A most important feature of Pepper is that it can speak 15 languages and that it can evolve based on needs and environment.
9. Apollo
Developed by Apptronik, Apollo is used in warehouses. Due to its ability to carry up to 55 pounds, the use of these robots may expand to other industries such as retail and construction. Apollo is said to be a productive robot with four-hour-lasting swappable batteries. Moreover, it has sensors that detect nearby objects and help stop the robot’s movements.
10. Ameca
With the most advanced human form, Ameca aims to represent the face of human robotics technology. This robot has integrations of OpenAI’s GPT-3 and is developed as a platform to develop AI functions. Ameca consists of embedded microphones, binocular eyes with cameras, chest cameras, and facial expression recognition software, helping it interact with humans.
Conclusion
With time, the advancement in robotics is changing from science fiction to reality. The latest innovations in this field have helped transform robots into more human-like machines that interact and integrate with humans easily. With breakthrough inventions in mobility, AI features, and interactions with humans, humanoid robots are gaining prominent roles in day-to-day activities across sectors.
Reports suggest that these robots have already been a major part of different industries including healthcare, automotive, manufacturing, and aerospace. However, the confusion and concerns regarding the ethics and safety of these humanoid robots still exist. Even then, studies reveal that the development of humanoid robots will be an asset shortly.
