UPDATED BY
Matthew Urwin | Apr 17, 2024
Many humanoid robots are still in the prototype or other early stages of development, but in recent years, a few have eluded research and development and entered the real world to work as deep-sea divers, bartenders, concierges, and companions for elderly people. Some people support people in manufacturing and logistics by working in factories and warehouses. Some, on the other hand, seem to provide more excitement and novelty than anything else; they lead orchestras and meet attendees at conferences.
What Are Humanoid Robots?
Robots that mimic and behave like people are called humanoid robots. These robots, which are usually designed to mimic real-world human emotions, interactions, and gestures, are frequently equipped with a variety of cameras, sensors, and, more recently, artificial intelligence and machine learning technology.
How Are Humanoid Robots Being Used Today?
While more humanoid robots are being introduced into the world and making a positive impact in industries like logistics, manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality, their use is still limited, and development costs are high.
Nevertheless, growth in the area is anticipated. MarketsandMarkets, a research organization, estimates that the humanoid robot industry will be worth $1.8 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to over $13 billion during the following five years. Modern humanoid robots with enhanced AI capabilities and human-like traits that can perform a wider range of tasks in the healthcare, education, and service sectors will drive this rise and demand.
The Top 22 Humanoid Robots Currently in Use
Picture: Shutterstock
Updated on April 17, 2024 by Matthew Urwin
Many humanoid robots are still in the prototype or other early stages of development, but in recent years, a few have eluded research and development and entered the real world to work as deep-sea divers, bartenders, concierges, and companions for elderly people. Some people support people in manufacturing and logistics by working in factories and warehouses. Some, on the other hand, seem to provide more excitement and novelty than anything else; they lead orchestras and meet attendees at conferences.
How Do Humanoid Robots Work?
Robots that mimic and behave like people are called humanoid robots. These robots are typically designed to mimic real-world human interactions, expressions, and movements. They frequently have a variety of cameras installed.
How Are Humanoid Robots Being Used?
Hospitality: In Spain, certain humanoid robots, such as Kime, work at self-contained kiosks where they pour and serve snacks and drinks to customers. Some even hold positions dealing with customers, such as hotel concierges.
Education: In educational contexts, students collaborate with Humanoid Robots Nao and Pepper as they create material and impart programming knowledge.
Healthcare: In healthcare environments, other humanoid robots do tasks including taking vital signs and transferring patient data.
However, before businesses can completely deploy their humanoid robots, pilot projects evaluating their capacity to operate and cooperate securely with human colleagues in warehouses, factories, and other locations will need to be carried out.
But before companies can fully implement their humanoid robots, pilot programs assessing how well they can function and collaborate safely with human coworkers in factories, warehouses, and other settings must be completed.
It’s uncertain how well humans will accept the assistance of humanoid robots and how well they will fit into society. The widespread use of these robots may be viewed by some as unsettling, dangerous, or as unnecessary competition in the labor market, but the advantages—such as improved productivity and safety—may exceed many of the drawbacks.
In any case, humanoid robots are going to have a big influence, and luckily, we already have some of them among us who can help us along the road. These are a few of the best humanoid robots now in use in our society.
Examples of Humanoid Robots
Ameca can detect emotions and ages when interacting with humans and can communicate back with common expressions. | Image: Engineered Arts
Ameca (Engineered Arts)
Ameca is the newest and most sophisticated humanoid robot available. The business markets it as a testing ground for AI and machine learning systems. With its ability to recognize faces and voices, monitor movement throughout a space, and sense age and emotions, Ameca is able to engage with people in a natural way. Ameca can convey basic facial expressions like surprise and shock as well as body language like yawning and shrugging.
Alter 3 is powered by an AI neural network and is capable of both singing and conducting orchestras. | Image: Osaka University / mixi
Alter 3 (Osaka University and mixi)
The newest humanoid robot from Osaka University and mixi, called Alter 3, is equipped with an artificial neural network and a musical ear. Alter sang in an opera in previous incarnations. In 2020, Alter 3, equipped with upgraded sensors, a better expressive capability, and a vocalization system for singing, went one step further and led an orchestra at Tokyo’s New National Theater in addition to participating in other live events.
ARMAR-6 was designed to work in industrial settings where it can use tools, hand objects to human co-workers and ask for help. | Image: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
ARMAR-6 (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
is a humanoid robot designed for use in industrial environments by scientists at Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. In addition to having the ability to use tools like hammers and drills, ARMAR-6 has artificial intelligence (AI) technology that enables it to pick up objects and pass them to human coworkers. In addition, it can perform maintenance tasks like cleaning surfaces and can even call for assistance when necessary.
The humanoid robot, Apollo, is able to lift up to 55 pounds and relies on an impact zone to sense moving objects and people. | Image: Apptronik
Apollo (Apptronik)
is the outcome of the corporation expanding on its prior robot experiences, such as with its humanoid robot Astro from 2022. Apollo is intended to operate in plants and warehouses and has the potential to extend into other areas such as retail and construction. It can lift up to 55 pounds. When the robot detects a moving object nearby, an impact zone enables it to halt moving, and Apollo is powered by replaceable four-hour batteries to maintain productivity.