Several companies are currently working on the development of humanoid robots for various purposes. These goals include addressing potential labor shortages, performing dangerous or tedious tasks, assisting with chores at home, and helping to alleviate loneliness in the elderly. One of the advanced humanoid robots in development is “Optimus,” created by Tesla and owned by Elon Musk. Musk stated in a conference call with investors that Optimus is expected to be performing tasks at the plant by the end of the year. He claimed that Tesla is more advanced in humanoid robot development compared to other manufacturers and that Optimus will be based on artificial intelligence to perform its human-like tasks.
Tesla previously introduced the first generation of its humanoid robot, called “Bumblebee,” in September 2022. The company also released a video this year showcasing the second generation of the robot folding a T-shirt at the Tesla facility. In addition to Tesla, other companies like FIGURE have also entered the humanoid robot development space. The FIGURE01 robot, with investments from companies like Intel, Jeff Bezos, Microsoft, and Nvidia, is promising to create the most sophisticated robot in the world within 12 months. The FIGURE01 robot, as seen in a video released by the company, boasts shiny metallic armor and advanced movement capabilities.
While humanoid robots are still in the early stages of development and may not fully replace humans for many years, the potential they hold for various industries is significant. These robots have the capacity to assist in service industries, factory work, medical assistance, and aiding disabled patients and the elderly. Despite their limitations in size, weight, and speed, there is a growing interest and investment in humanoid robots for their potential applications in different sectors of the workforce.