Roboticist Rodney Brooks Sounds Alarm: Humanoid Robot Bubble on Brink of Collapse

Famed Roboticist Warns Humanoid Robot Bubble is Doomed to Burst In a scathing critique of the humanoid robot industry, renowned roboticist Rodney Brooks has declared that investors pouring billions into startups are "wasting their money." In a new essay, Brooks, co-founder of iRobot and former MIT professor, argues that the approach to teaching robots dexterity by showing them videos of humans is "pure fantasy thinking." According to Brooks, the problem lies in the complexity of human hands, which contain approximately 17,000 specialized touch receptors. No robot comes close to matching this level of sophistication, making it impossible for them to replicate human-like dexterity. While machine learning has transformed speech recognition and image processing, these breakthroughs were built on decades of existing technology that captured the right data. "We don't have such a tradition for touch data," Brooks pointed out in his essay. "We're trying to teach robots to do things they can't possibly do." Brooks also highlighted safety concerns surrounding full-sized walking humanoid robots, which pump massive amounts of energy into staying upright. When they fall, they become hazardous, and physics dictates that larger robots would pack even more harmful energy. In 15 years, Brooks predicts that successful humanoid robots will abandon the human form in favor of wheels, multiple arms, and specialized sensors. This shift is not a rejection of robotics, but rather an acknowledgment of its limitations. "We're trying to make robots like humans, but we're not good enough yet," Brooks said in an interview. "We need to focus on what robots can do well, not try to mimic something they'll never be able to do." Brooks' warnings come at a time when companies like Tesla and Figure are investing heavily in humanoid robot research. These startups aim to create robots that can perform complex tasks with human-like dexterity. While some experts agree with Brooks' assessment, others see potential benefits in the current approach. "Humanoid robots may not be perfect, but they're an important step towards developing more versatile and adaptable robots," said Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, a robotics professor at MIT. As the industry continues to evolve, investors and researchers will need to reassess their priorities. Brooks' essay serves as a wake-up call for those pouring money into humanoid robot startups, urging them to focus on what robots can do well rather than trying to replicate human-like abilities. Background: Rodney Brooks is a leading figure in the robotics community, with decades of experience at MIT and co-founding iRobot. His essay has sparked debate among experts, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of robotics capabilities and limitations. Next Developments: As investors and researchers reassess their priorities, we can expect to see a shift towards more practical applications of robotics technology. With Brooks' predictions of humanoid robots abandoning the human form in favor of specialized designs, we may see a resurgence of interest in robotic arms and sensor-equipped machines. In the meantime, Brooks' essay serves as a reminder that even the most promising technologies have limitations. By acknowledging these limitations and focusing on what robots can do well, we can unlock new possibilities for robotics innovation. *Reporting by Techcrunch.*