Bill Gates recently released a list of robotics startups and labs he is excited about, which includes three companies focused on humanoid robots: Agility, Apptronik, and UCLA’s RoMeLa. Agility's Digit robot, which looks the least human, is leading in real-world deployments, including a pilot at Amazon warehouses. Apptronik, an Austin-based startup, is building "general-purpose" humanoid bi-pedal robots like Apollo. Despite not being a roboticist, Gates' endorsement is seen as a significant step towards gaining mainstream legitimacy for humanoid robots.
Key takeaways:
- The robotics industry is currently debating the value and practicality of humanoid robots, with some arguing that their design is advantageous for navigating a world built for humans.
- Despite the human body's imperfections, proponents of humanoid robots argue that their ability to perform multiple tasks and adapt to various environments makes them superior to single-purpose robots.
- Bill Gates recently endorsed several companies developing humanoid robots, including Agility, Apptronik, and UCLA’s RoMeLa, adding legitimacy to the form factor.
- Despite the endorsement, it's unclear if this will significantly shift the industry towards humanoid robots, as Gates is not a roboticist and the practicality of such robots is still under debate.