Creating Robots that Mimic Human Appearance and Behavior

The canon of science-fiction cinema tends to agree that robots should resemble human beings. This is not only seen in casting directors and special-effects technicians but also in engineers who see the benefits of this approach. Pras Velagapudi, the chief technology officer at Agility Robotics, based in Oregon, believes that the human form offers versatility that can be adapted for various applications. This is important as robots need to navigate environments designed by humans.

Humanoid robots are now making their way into the real world. Amazon is currently testing Digit, a robot created by Agility Robotics, to assist warehouse employees with repetitive tasks. Standing nearly two meters tall, Digit has skinny bird-like legs and a flat tubular head, allowing it to carry empty bins from shelves to conveyor belts. Boston Dynamics, a Massachusetts-based robotics firm, plans to utilize their latest humanoid robot, Atlas, in the manufacturing operations of Hyundai, a South Korean carmaker. This shows that humanoid robots are becoming increasingly integrated into practical applications.