Beijing Youth Daily
·
gettyimages.comAI and Humanoid Robots: What’s Next in 2024?
Curated by
cdteliot
7 min read
87
the rapid advancement of AI-powered humanoid robots in 2024 is revolutionizing industries from manufacturing to healthcare, with companies like Tesla, OpenAI, and Figure AI pushing the boundaries of human-robot interaction and capabilities.
AI-Enhanced Robot Cognition
Possessed Photography
·
unsplash.comWe see movies where robots think, act, and look like humans. That's something that many engineers and developers are working towards with humanoid robots getting showcased in exhibits and even holding roles in customer service
1
2
. However, even if robots have the appearance of humans, they still don't think freely like humans do. This year, AI has gone through a huge leap in order to give these machines a brain that's close to a human's. Large language models (LLMs) and machine learning algorithms are now integrated into robotic systems, so they can respond more naturally and learn as they communicate with people3
. Such AI features give robots access to vast knowledge bases where they can pull information to guide them in making decisions and fostering interactions. With AI-powered "brains", robots can do complex tasks, grasp contexts, and understand intricate instructions4
.
If you think about it, it's amazing how robots can function almost as well as humans. Though they still need some human input, their current ability to rationalize, solve problems, and handle operations was once thought of as impossible5
. Now, robots can learn and think for themselves as long as you ask. Their minds will continue to be enhanced by AI, so even if we can't have fully autonomous robots in 2024, they will definitely come in the near future6
.6 sources
Better Human-Robot Interaction
richtechrobotics.com
Many businesses have incorporated robots into their establishments, a rising trend especially prevalent in hotels, restaurants, and hospitals
1
2
. Customers can place and receive their orders with the help of robot servers. You can check in a room by just talking with a robot receptionist3
. Robotic surgeons can assist doctors and even do basic operations4
. In these instances, robots and humans mingle and engage with each other, showing the progress of robotic technology.
It still can get better, though. AI brings more features to better connect humans and robots in society. Artificial intelligence can power audio capabilities and generate synthetic voices so robots can speak to people4
. With natural language processing (NLP), they can answer user queries, take part in dynamic conversations, and even follow verbal commands5
. Since AI has translation skills, robots can reply in any language, tearing down linguistic barriers with whoever they're conversing with. AI can also recognize gestures, facial expressions, and other non-verbal cues through various sensors, enabling robots to act appropriately according to a person's intent5
. Despite these, robots can't talk fluidly to humans yet. They can still sound mechanical and can't respond to topics that aren't included in their database. Their actions are also limited based on their components and programming. However, these aspects will become better with upcoming innovations and developments. People can hopefully interact with them more smoothly through time.5 sources
More Industry Applications
Robots may not be regular things you see in your everyday life, but believe it or not, they have been around in multiple industries for decades now. As of 2024, robots have been contributing to these sectors:
Manufacturing: Robots have the capacity to take on repetitive tasks in production. They can work on assembly lines, putting together product parts, placing completed items in their packaging, and even loading boxes into delivery trucks— all with unmatched precision and minimal downtimes.
1
2
Healthcare: Robots can be nurses, doctors, and physical therapists in their own right. They can assist in patient care, perform surgeries, and take care of rehabilitation. With their help, the workload of medical staff is reduced and treatment plans become more efficient.3
4
Retail and Hospitality: As highlighted earlier, robots can man reception desks and restaurant counters. They work as waiters and salespeople too. They improve customer experience by being able to converse with customers, give recommendations, and ring in their purchases.5
Education: Robots have the potential to become teachers. Humanoid teaching assistants can support personalized learning and diligently attend to students with special needs.3
Elderly Care: Particularly notable in Japan, a lot of robots are developed to care for senior citizens, addressing the growing caregiver shortage. They can do something as simple as providing much-needed companionship to the elderly or physically assist them in day-to-day activities they may find difficult to do themselves, such as eating, going to the bathroom, and lying down to sleep.5
Space Exploration: You may have seen the news and reports where robots are dispatched to space to do extraterrestrial missions, taking over tasks that are too dangerous for human astronauts.6
Agriculture: A variety of robots can do basic farming chores like tilling the soil, sowing seedlings, watering plants, pulling weeds, and harvesting crops. They can also monitor crop health and forecast yield, allowing farmers to adjust their methods to bring in the most bountiful returns.7
8
8 sources
Advanced Technological Components
manlybattery.com
As AI improves, so do robots that use it. Developers continue to work on AI models, making recent versions smarter and more capable than their predecessors. This gives robots faster processing speeds and a higher capacity to perform more detailed tasks
1
2
. Nonetheless, AI is not the only thing that's getting refined. With new and better sensors, actuators, and materials, robots can step up not just in their intelligence but also in their physical functions3
.
Miniature multi-modal sensors are now a thing. These sensors can interpret data through vision, touch, hearing, and other sensing modalities, providing robots with a keen understanding of their surroundings4
. Since they have an awareness of their environment, robots can navigate by themselves and respond to external occurrences. The sensors have also decreased in size, so they're more lightweight and portable, allowing robots to have better mobility5
. If you think robots are still clanky and awkward when they move, that's about to change soon because high-efficiency motors and advanced servo systems are slowly introduced to give them smoother and more agile movements6
. New materials like carbon fiber composites and shape-memory alloys are brought in as well to form sturdier and more durable frames and structures for robots without weighing them down and restricting motion7
. Scientists and engineers are even creating artificial muscles and developing soft robotics, so robots can move more like humans8
.8 sources
Economic and Labor Shifts
Of course, robots will affect the job market. They've been taking on roles usually reserved for humans because they can perform better and cost less in the long run. As they become more integrated into the workforce, they can take away career opportunities and even existing jobs from people.
1
2
It's projected that 8 million humanoid robots will be operational in the United States by the year 2040, accruing a $357-billion wage impact. This amount is foreseen to rise to a whopping $3 trillion in 2050 as 63 million robots will affect 75% of jobs and 40% of employees. Researchers in the US claim that 'for every robot added per 1,000 workers in the U.S., wages decline by 0.42% and the employment-to-population ratio goes down by 0.2 percentage points'.3
4
This looks bleak for humans whose jobs are at risk of displacement because their employers believe robots to be better replacements. From the point of view of companies and entrepreneurs, though, this is the smart move to make since getting robots onboard means they'll have machines that would work long hours without getting tired or needing breaks. Since robots' functions are pre-programmed and tested, they work more accurately with fewer potential errors than their human counterparts. Aside from the upfront cost of availing them, robots don't require wages and salaries, lowering expenses for businesses in the long term.2
5
Since this change is already happening and it seems there's no stopping it, humans need to upskill and do what robots can't. If you can go on a technological career path, then you may just have more opportunities because you can contribute to robots and AI.6
7
7 sources
Adoption Challenges and Ethical Considerations
linvelo.com
Because robots can steal jobs from humans, a lot of people are speaking up against their further development. There are also privacy issues since robots are trained on AI data that's been collected from various, unverified sources. They have sensors as well that can basically record interactions and other information. Without strict regulations in place, what's stopping companies and developers from accessing the data stored within robots and using them for personal gain? Before widespread adoption, there should be laws and rules to keep robots and their backers in check.
1
2
Aside from those concerns, robots aren't also as adept as their inventors want them to be. They're still lacking in the technological department because they still can't pass off as humans with their own thinking and natural dexterity. They can break down and cause problems in establishments where they are integral forces in operations. God forbid a surgical robot malfunctions during surgery! Moreover, robots cost a great deal of funds to build. Their components, machinery, and systems are expensive to acquire and develop, preventing any further plans for expansion and mass implementation.3
4
4 sources
Closing Thoughts on AI and Humanoid Robots
Humanoid robots are becoming more human with the help of artificial intelligence. After all, what makes a person human is their mind, the innate ability to think and decide. Since AI is getting more and more popular, it also gets more efficient with recent advancements. The same is true for robots who have AI as their "brain", allowing them to do tasks that require a certain level of knowledge and understanding.
1
2
The brain is not the only thing that makes robots similar to humans. Robotic engineers and developers are continuously bolstering the physical features of robots, giving them human movements to go along with their human thinking. The combination of AI and other technological innovations has shaped humanoid robots into key figures in many industries, helping individuals and businesses alike.3
4
However, we still have a long way to go to achieve the ultimate humanoid robots— those that actually move, think, and appear to be humans. We're getting closer to the goal, but we need more technological improvements to proceed. This may be for the best, though, because we're not yet prepared to receive such advanced robots into our midst. They will cost people their jobs and may even pose a threat to humanity since lawmakers and governments have not established enough regulations to monitor both AI and robots. Maybe in the future, we will be ready and they will become a possibility.5
6
6 sources
Related
How do advancements in AI contribute to the development of humanoid robots
What industries are currently benefiting the most from humanoid robots
How do humanoid robots compare to traditional robots in terms of task versatility
What are the main challenges in creating humanoid robots with human-like dexterity
How does the integration of IoT and 5G networks enhance the capabilities of humanoid robots
Keep Reading
Artificial General Intelligence: The Next Frontier in AI Development
Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), the next frontier in AI development, represents a theoretical leap beyond current AI capabilities, aiming to create machines that can understand, learn, and perform any intellectual task that a human can. While AGI remains a subject of debate and speculation within the scientific community, it promises to revolutionize our interaction with machines and potentially redefine societal structures.
15,357
AI Robotics: Merging Intelligence with Machines for the Future
The fusion of artificial intelligence and robotics is ushering in a new era of intelligent machines, with promising applications across industries from manufacturing to healthcare. This technological convergence is expected to revolutionize how we live and work, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them entirely.
4,580
AI Robotics: Merging Intelligence with Machines for the Future
The fusion of artificial intelligence and robotics is ushering in a new era of physical intelligence, where AI's decision-making capabilities are seamlessly integrated with robotic systems to interact with the real world. As reported by NextBrain AI, this convergence is leading to groundbreaking advancements in fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, promising to bring our most imaginative ideas to life through intelligent machines that can adapt and respond to their...
3,934
The 5 Best Use Cases of AI in 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries across the globe, with its applications becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread. As reported by Bloomberg, the top AI use cases for 2024 span diverse sectors, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and transportation, showcasing the technology's transformative potential in solving complex problems and enhancing efficiency.
4,284