The Hard Truth of Humanoid Robotics

Discerning Science Fiction From Reality

"The journey of AI and humanoid robotics holds in tension the marvel and wonder of human existence alongside the complexity and challenges of the world we live in."

Oh hey, real quick before you start reading. I’m kicking off a monthly, virtual leadership event starting in November. The first topic is about what it takes to be an authentic leader during times of uncertainty. If that’s of interest to you or someone you know, it’s free and you can register here. Alright, back to your regularly scheduled reading.

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Is it reasonable to expect humanoid robots will be waiting on our every need before 2030? I guess it depends on who you ask or what news source you subscribe to.

However, no matter where you look, there’s a lot more to the story on both sides than is often represented. This week, I had the privilege of sifting through the noise and sitting down with Jerry Sweafford, PhD, who is spending his days deep in the intersection of robotics and AI. You can catch our full conversation as a podcast here or video here.

Jerry brought a wealth of expertise including hands-on experience with everything from robotic arms for Rolls Royce to the complexities of UAV swarms. What I appreciated about this was it allowed us to do more than skim the surface. We were able to dig into the gritty realities of building AI controllers for humanoid robots, focusing on balance and stability—tasks that seem simple to us but are incredibly challenging to replicate in robots.

Over the course of our conversation, we were able to cover a lot about the advancements and limitations of humanoid robots. In many ways, it was humbling to reflect on how far we’ve come. However, it also underscored the significant hurdles that remain. While much of the news would have you think Skynet is right around the corner, heavy motors weighing down robotic shoulders, power inefficiencies, and complex task-switching highlight we’ve still got a long road ahead.

I also enjoyed exploring the ethical considerations and the real potential for another "AI winter." All together, we navigated the dreams, fears, and realities surrounding AI and robotics, considering both the groundbreaking possibilities and the sobering challenges. So, if you’re curious about the future of humanoid robots and how they might integrate with our world, check it out.

Top Takeaways

"What seems simple to us—like walking or balancing—is a marvel of complexity for robots. We’d be wise to appreciate the everyday miracles of human capability."

A fundamental yet often overlooked truth is how the simplicity of our daily actions is an extremely complicated dance of physics and biology. As humans, we tend to think very little about what goes into balancing, walking, and navigating our environment. For a robot, these tasks are monumental engineering challenges. When you really examine what goes into giving a robot the ability to balance, it involves thousands of calculations per second, real-time adjustments, and a sophisticated understanding of physics. I personally find it to be a humbling reminder of the divine genius behind our human design. It left me taking a step back and reflecting on how much we take for granted, giving me a greater appreciation for the intricate processes that make up our daily lives. As leaders, it should be a transferrable reminder to acknowledge and appreciate the nuances in seemingly simple tasks and to respect that simplicity often masks profound complexity.

"Technical innovation often comes from the unlikeliest sources.”

Jerry highlighted the example of human neural networks serving as the model for much of today’s AI development. This example highlights that the biggest breakthroughs in our fields often come from the outside, which serves as a reminder of how important it is to look beyond the wisdom contained in our functional siloes. By studying the human brain’s neural pathways, researchers were able to develop AI systems that could learn, adapt, and even exhibit a form of decision-making. Ultimately, it was a double win since it opened new frontiers in both artificial and natural intelligence. For leaders, this should encourage us to foster environments where diverse perspectives are valued and insights from various fields are welcomed. Done right, we can drive progress that would otherwise remain undiscovered within the silos of our specialized knowledge.

"The future isn't about robots replacing humans; it's about robots and humans working together, leveraging each other's strengths to drive progress."

While coming from different vantage points, Jerry and I have a shared vision of a collaborative future where humans and robots work side by side. This is in contrast to Hollywood and much of the mainstream news, which heralds a dystopian future where robots usurp human jobs. As we think about the environments where work happens, humanoid robots are ideal candidates for handling repetitive and physically demanding tasks, leaving humans room to focus on creative, strategic, and interpersonal roles. Getting this collaborative model right maximizes efficiency and productivity by allowing each to do what they do best, leading to unprecedented advancements. As leaders, we’d be wise to keep this top of mind. We should be investing in technologies that augment human capabilities rather than replace them, creating environments where technology and humanity coexist and thrive together.

"Progress isn't always a straight line. We must be prepared for periods of stagnation and to use them for thoughtful reflection and strategic planning."

With all the hype about orders of magnitude and exponential growth, it’s easy to forget the historical "AI winters" riddled throughout our past. These dynamic and inevitable swings serve as a critical reminder that technological advancement is cyclical. We need to accept that these periods of slowed advancement, while challenging, are not failures but opportunities for deeper reflection and strategic recalibration. Being prepared for the inevitable slowdowns is what sets businesses and innovators apart. This breathing room allows us to strategically evaluate what has been achieved, what needs improvement, and where the future opportunities lie. This strategic pause can be a breeding ground for innovation, setting the stage for the next wave of breakthroughs. As leaders, we need to be proactively building a culture that values patience, long-term thinking, and continuous learning, maintaining momentum even when external progress seems slow.

"Innovation without ethics is the path to abuse. As we advance in AI and robotics, we must ensure these technologies serve humanity positively."

While there’s tremendous positive potential, we can’t ignore the reality that AI and robotics can be weaponized, which carries a sobering perspective on the importance of ethics in innovation. This isn’t just the responsibility of the tech elite. It’s a critical responsibility for everyone involved in technology development: ensuring our technological masterpieces are used for good. When we consider any technological advancement, especially those as powerful as AI and robotics, we must be guided by strong ethical frameworks at every stage of development. Waiting to regulate the final product isn’t enough. We need to be asking the hard questions early on: How will this technology be used? What are the potential risks? How can we safeguard against misuse? As leaders, this means prioritizing these questions and creating environments where people feel comfortable sharing perspectives we might not want to hear. It also means acting, even if the actions aren’t popular. Fail here and all this progress we’re experiencing may come at the expense of our humanity.

Concluding Thoughts

There's something profoundly reassuring about knowing that our irreplaceable, sometimes confusing, human touch remains at the heart of progress. The laughter of my kids, the chaos of our daily routine—these are the moments that even the most realistic humanoid robot can’t replicate, and maybe that's for the best. So, while in some ways it is disappointing to know I can’t expect Rosie the Robot to help take care of my herd of young humans anytime soon, it’s also a relief. Sometimes the right path is the one that takes a little longer than expected.

Like with so many things, the best approach for AI and humanoid robotics is one filled with balance and thoughtfulness. As we step forward, we’d be wise to make sure the future of robots is not just about building smarter robots; it should be about building a better world. Taking this into consideration, we have a unique opportunity to create a future that honors our humanity and leverages technology to enhance, not replace, our lives.

So here’s to embracing the journey, celebrating the small victories, and looking forward to a future where technology and humanity thrive together. Let’s take it one step at a time with patience, purpose, and a deep appreciation for the incredible potential that lies ahead.

With that, I’ll see you on the other side.