The Humanoid Robot Bubble: A Wake-Up Call from a Famed Roboticist
In the world of robotics, few names are as synonymous with innovation and disruption as Rodney Brooks. As the co-founder of iRobot and a veteran of MIT's esteemed Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Brooks has spent decades pushing the boundaries of what robots can do. But now, in a scathing new essay, he's sounding the alarm on the latest trend in robotics: humanoid robots designed to mimic humans.
"It's pure fantasy thinking," Brooks declares, his words dripping with skepticism. "We're pouring billions into companies that think they can teach robots dexterity by showing them videos of humans doing tasks. It's a recipe for disaster."
The problem, according to Brooks, lies in the fundamental limitations of robotics technology. Human hands are incredibly sophisticated, packed with around 17,000 specialized touch receptors that no robot comes close to matching. While machine learning has transformed speech recognition and image processing, those breakthroughs built on decades of existing technology for capturing the right data. But when it comes to touch data, we're still in the dark ages.
"Machine learning is a great tool," Brooks explains, "but it's only as good as the data you feed it. And when it comes to touch, we just don't have the tradition or infrastructure to capture that kind of data."
But safety concerns are equally pressing. Full-sized walking humanoid robots pump massive amounts of energy into staying upright, and when they fall – which inevitably happens – they can be deadly. Physics dictates that a robot twice the size of today's models would pack eight times the harmful energy.
Brooks predicts that in 15 years, successful humanoid robots will have abandoned their human form altogether, opting for wheels, multiple arms, and specialized sensors instead. "It's not about mimicking humans," he says. "It's about creating machines that can do real work."
And yet, billions of dollars are being poured into companies like Tesla and Figure, which are trying to teach robots dexterity through video tutorials. Brooks is convinced that these efforts will never scale to mass production.
"It's a classic case of the ' Valley of Death'," he says, referring to the phenomenon where promising technologies fail to transition from research to commercial viability. "These companies are chasing a fantasy, and investors are buying into it hook, line, and sinker."
Brooks' warnings come at a time when the robotics industry is facing increasing scrutiny over its priorities and progress. As one of the pioneers in the field, his voice carries significant weight.
"I've seen this movie before," he says with a hint of frustration. "I've watched as investors pour money into companies that promise the world but deliver nothing. It's time for a reality check."
So what does Brooks think is the future of robotics? In his essay, he envisions a world where robots are designed to complement humans, not replace them. They'll be specialized machines with multiple arms and sensors, capable of handling tasks that require precision and dexterity.
"It's not about creating humanoid robots," he emphasizes. "It's about creating machines that can do real work."
As the robotics industry hurtles towards a future filled with promise and peril, Brooks' words serve as a timely reminder: sometimes, it's better to focus on what works rather than chasing a fantasy.
*Based on reporting by Techcrunch.*
