AI Robots – When will they be in our homes

IEEE Spectrum published a multi-part explainer examining when humanoid robots will reach homes, tracing the field from Honda's Asimo and iRobot's Roomba through modern machines such as Tesla's Optimus, Boston Dynamics' Atlas, and Figure 02. The report attributes robotics' current momentum to generative AI, which it says has "electrified" robot learning, while noting hardware limits in actuators, batteries, and sensors. It concludes that humanoids will be deployed in workplaces before homes, with no firm date set for domestic adoption.

Hello, human Scroll to continue ↓ Explore by:SectionsQuestionsRobotsPart 1 – We Were Promised RosieFrom Babybots to HumanoidsThe Helper Robots of Our Sci-Fi DreamsWhere’s My Robot?Part 2 – The Robot Race Is OnAn Exciting Time for RoboticsThe Top Humanoid RobotsThey Work Hard, They Play HardAI: Fuel for the Robot ExplosionPart 3 – Time for Some Robot HistoryRoomba Roams in Millions of HomesThe Evolution of AsimoWhy Build Robots That Resemble People?Part 4 – The Uncanny ValleyThat’s Creepy Entering the Uncanny ValleyThe Uncanny Valley ChartPart 5 – Robot HardwareThe Challenges of Building HumanoidsSensors, Computers, BatteriesThe Problem With ActuatorsPart 6 – AI for Robots The Software SideEnter AIAI Models for RobotsPart 7 – The Future of RobotsAre the Robots Coming?The Nothing’s-Changed ScenarioNot the Robots From the MoviesOur New AI Robots Are the BestCreditsIEEE Spectrum TeamMore RobotsTo Probe FurtherPhoto & Video CreditsHumanoid RobotsWhat are today’s most advanced humanoid robots?Why do we try to make robots that resemble people?What are humanoid robots used for?What types of jobs are humanoids best suited for?What are the top humanoid robot companies?Is Tesla building a humanoid robot?What is the most famous humanoid robot?Are today’s humanoids safe for our homes?Robot HistoryWhat lessons can robot makers learn from Roomba?When did Honda start developing Asimo?How has Asimo evolved?When and why did Honda retire Asimo?Creepy RobotsWhat is an example of a lifelike humanoid?What is the Uncanny Valley?Who came up with the Uncanny Valley idea?What is the Uncanny Valley chart?What is the Uncanny Valley used for in robotics?Robot HardwareWhat hardware does a typical humanoid require?How are sensors used in a robot?How are computers used in a robot?How are batteries used in a robot?How are actuators used in a robot?What is the problem with current robot actuators?How many actuators does a humanoid need?How could we make actuators better?Robots and AIWhat is one of the hardest problems in robotics?What is the goal of a robot learning algorithm?Why has generative AI electrified robotics?What is the first step to develop AI for robots?Can you train AI models in simulation?Can AI finally “solve” robot learning?What could a general-purpose AI model for robots do?The Future of RobotsWhere will humanoids be used first?Should we worry about a robot uprising like in movies?Can we predict when humanoids will be in our homes?If not humanoids, what robots could help with housework?Robots in alphabetical order Aila showing its componentsAlbert Hubo greeting peopleAMBIDEX interacting with people and objectsApollo making juiceApollo carrying boxesArmar holding a power drillAsimo daydreamingAsimo running, hopping, and kicking a ballAsimo taking a bowAsimo balancing on one footAsimo waving goodbyeAsimo evolving from E and P seriesAstro facing forwardAstro spinning aroundAstro looking at a dogAtlas carrying plastic engine coversAtlas demonstrating its flexibilityAtlas doing push-upsAtlas HD dancingAtlas HD jumping over an obstacleAtlas HD doing backflipsAtlas HD stumbling and fallingAtlas HD jumping and carrying objectsAtlas HD bumping into objects and fallingDARPA competition robots fallingDigit working in a warehouseDigit carrying binsDigit waving hiDigit navigating and finding binsDigit removing a tray from the ovenE Series learning to walkEve opening doorsEve standing and smilingEveryday Robot grasping toysFalcon 9 landingFigure 01 using a coffeemakerFigure 02 handling factory partsFigure 02 moving its handsGeminoid HI-1 sitting next to Hiroshi IshiguroG1 manipulating a stickG1 cracking a walnutG1 holding a frying panG1 runningG1 showing off its flexibilityGR-1 standing upHand Arm System showing its cable systemHRP-2 falling backwardsH1 getting kickediCub crawlingNadia boxingNeo picking up a backpackNeo grabbing a shirt from a rackNeo unloading a dishwasherOptimus dancingOptimus stretchingOptimus training with teleoperationPhoenix grasping cupsPhoenix showing its head sensorsPhoenix making a sandwichπ0 assembling boxesπ0 folding clothesπ0 doing laundryRoomba first model vacuuming a carpetRoomba vacuuming popcornRoomba vacuuming granolaRoomba going over thick carpetRoomba and catRosie preparing a snackRosie boiling sausagesStretch stretching its armStretch serving a drinkStretch cleaning the kitchenStretch dog sittingGroups of Robots in order of appearance Robot collage: today’s top humanoidsRobot cards: Apollo, Atlas, Digit, Figure, GR-1, H1, Neo, Tesla Robot Optimus, and PhoenixCreepy collage: lifelike humanoidsUncanny Valley chart: Kuka, Asimo, and Albert HuboAI simulation: Apollo, H1, and Digit learning to walkSci-Fi Robots in order of appearance T-800 from “The Terminator”Andrew from “Bicentennial Man”Robot from “Sunny”Humanoid from “Robot & Frank”Rosie from “The Jetsons”C-3PO and R2-D2 from “Star Wars”Instead we got Roomba. Robotics Feature Where’s My Robot?Here’s how we could finally build humanoid robots that do all our domestic chores By Erico Guizzo & Randi Klett11 Nov 2024Updated 18 Nov 202412 MIN READ3 This article is part of IEEE Spectrum’s “Reinventing Invention” special issue → Click to see the evolution of AsimoThanks for scrolling Concept & Text/MediaErico Guizzo & Randi KlettDevelopmentErico Guizzo & Erik VrielinkAdditional ReportingEvan AckermanSpecial Issue EditorEliza StricklandExecutive EditorJean KumagaiCreative DirectorMark MontgomeryEditor in ChiefHarry GoldsteinSpecial ThanksTo all robot makers and researchers who kindly helped us with information and materials, and allowed us to feature their amazing projects here.More Robots Learn more about the robots and technologies featured in this story, most of which you can find on IEEE Spectrum’s Robots Guide. In order of appearance: iCub, Atlas HD, Atlas, Nadia, G1, Florian, Hercules, Johnny 05, Roomba, Digit, Optimus, Valkyrie, Walker S1, T-HR3, Neo, Phoenix, Apollo, GR-1, H1, Figure 02, Gitai G1, Everyday Robot, π0/Physical Intelligence, Falcon 9, Rosie, Asimo, E Series, Armar, Geminoid HI-1, Albert Hubo, Philip K. Dick, Sophia, Ameca, Han, EXRobots, CB2, Telenoid, Erica, Titan, Aila, ROBOTIS Dynamixel-Y, Maxon HEJ 90-48-140, AMBIDEX, Hand Arm System, Eve, Robotiq, HRP-2, Open X-Embodiment Project, NVIDIA Project GR00T, Figure 01, Astro, Stretch. To Probe FurtherThis story is part of IEEE Spectrum’s “Reinventing Invention” special issue, in which we highlight both the creative act and the grindingly hard engineering work required to turn an idea into something world changing. As Spectrum celebrates 60 years of publication this year, we take you behind the scenes of some awe-inspiring projects to reveal how technology is being made—and remade—in our time.For a complete picture of state-of-the-art humanoid robotics today and the companies competing to build the best bot, see this feature article by Spectrum robotics editor Evan Ackerman: “Humanoid Robots Are Getting to Work.”University of California, Berkeley, roboticist Ken Goldberg delivers an insightful TED Talk about the science and engineering challenges of bringing humanoid helpers into the real world: “Why don’t we have better robots yet?”In this excellent “Huge If True” episode, Cleo Abram reveals how Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot works, and the challenges it and other robots face to break free from their lab confines: “I Challenged Boston Dynamics’ Famous Atlas Robot.”Sci-fi robots have long captured our imaginations. Featured in this story, T-800 from “The Terminator” 1984 , the android Andrew from “Bicentennial Man” 1999 , Rosie from “The Jetsons” 1962–1963 , and C-3PO and R2-D2 from “Star Wars” 1977 are all well known. We also feature two lesser-known but fascinating robots: the cheerful domestic bot Sunny from the Apple TV+ show “Sunny,” and the Asimo-look-alike humanoid from the comedy-drama film “Robot & Frank” 2012 .For more on creepy robots, read our Uncanny Valley explainer, as well as Masahiro Mori’s original “The Uncanny Valley” essay, which Spectrum published in 2012 as the first English translation authorized by Mori, in collaboration with the IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine. Read also our profile of Japanese roboticist Hiroshi Ishiguro, who has created a series of lifelike robots, including an android copy of himself.Photo & Video CreditsIntroiCub crawling: Alessandro Albert; Atlas HD running: Bob O’Connor; Atlas pushups: Boston Dynamics; Nadia boxing: IHMC; G1 nutcracker: Unitree Robotics; Atlas HD backflipping: Boston Dynamics; Terminator: Pictorial Press/Alamy; Florian, Hercules, Johnny 05 falling: DARPA; Atlas falling: Boston Dynamics; Helper robot with tray: Getty Images; Helper robot dusting: iStock; Bicentennial Man: Columbia Pictures/Maximum Film/Alamy; Sunny: Apple; Robot & Frank: Photo12/Alamy; Rosie: Mary Evans/AF Archive/Everett Collection; Roomba moving: iRobotNew HumanoidsDigit waving: Agility Robotics; Atlas HD acrobatic: Boston Dynamics; Atlas contortionist: Boston DynamicsRobot CollageClockwise from top left: Nadia: IHMC; Valkyrie: NASA; Optimus: Tesla; Atlas: Boston Dynamics; Digit: Agility Robotics; Walker S1: UBTECH; T-HR3: Toyota; Neo: 1X Technologies; Phoenix: Sanctuary AI; Apollo: Apptronik; GR-1: Fourier; H1: Unitree Robotics; Figure 02: Figure; G1: GitaiRobot CardsApollo: Apptronik; Atlas: Boston Dynamics; Digit: Agility Robotics; Figure 02: Figure; GR-1: Fourier; H1: Unitree Robotics; Neo: 1X Technologies; Optimus: Tesla; Phoenix: Sanctuary AINew SkillsNeo backpack: 1X Technologies; Digits warehouse: Agility Robotics; Optimus dancing: Tesla; Optimus yoga: Tesla; G1 getting up: Unitree Robotics; GR-1 getting up: Fourier; Everyday Robot: Open X-Embodiment Collaboration; π0 folding clothes: Physical Intelligence; Phoenix grasping: Sanctuary AI; Phoenix sandwich: Sanctuary AIFactories FirstFigure 02 factory: Figure; Apollo conveyor: Apptronik; Atlas HD mess: Boston Dynamics; Falcon 9 landing: SpaceX; G1 frying pan: Unitree Robotics Robot HistoryRoomba first model: Douglas McFadd/Getty Images; Roomba bottom view: iRobot; Roomba thick carpet: iRobot; Roomba cat: iStock; Roomba nuts: iRobot; Rosie crepes: Kurt Fuchs/CoTeSys; Rosie pretzels: Michael Memminger/CoTeSys; Asimo dreamy: Honda; E Series walking: Honda; Evolution of Asimo: Honda; Asimo demo: Honda; Asimo proud: Honda; Asimo balancing: Honda; Asimo bye: Honda; Armar with drill: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology; Neo shirt: 1X TechnologiesUncannyGeminoid HI-1 and human: ATR Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories; Creepy heads: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images; Alberto Hubo: Seung-il Ryu/Nur Photo/Getty Images. Uncanny Valley collage: Clockwise from top left: Philip K. Dick: Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile for Web Summit/Getty Images; Sophia: Sopa Images/Alamy; Ameca: Johannes Simon/Getty Images; Han: Nora Tam/South China Morning Post/Getty Images; EX Robot: Pedro Pardo/AFP/Getty Images; CB2: Yoshikazu Tsuno/AFP/Getty Images; Geminoid HI-5: Osaka University; Telenoid: Osaka University and ATR Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories; Erica: JST ERATO ISHIGURO Symbiotic Human-Robot Interaction Project. Uncanny Valley chart: Titan: Kuka; Asimo: Honda; Albert Hubo: Seung-il Ryu/Nur Photo/Getty Images; Einstein: Library of CongressRobot HardwareAila: DFKI; Phoenix sensors: Sanctuary AI; Actuator on hand: David Mareuil/Anadolu/Getty Images; Actuator exploded: ROBOTIS; Actuator silver: Maxon; G1 x-ray: Unitree Robotics; H1 kicked: Unitree Robotics; Ambidex demo: Naver Labs; Hand Arm System: DLRRobot SoftwareDigit 3D vision: Agility Robotics; Eve door opening: 1X Technologies; HRP-2 falling back: DARPA; G1 stick: Unitree Robotics; AI collage: Open-X Embodiment Collaboration/Google Deepmind; Optimus training: Tesla; Phoenix sandwich making: Sanctuary AI; GR00T simulation: NVIDIA; Apollo juice teleoperation: Apptronik; π0 robot foundation model: Physical Intelligence; Neo dishwasher: 1X Technologies; Figure 01 coffee maker: Figure; Digit baker: Agility RoboticsFuturesEve with maker: 1X Technologies; Figure 02 fingers: Figure; Astro looking: Amazon; Astro spinning: Amazon; Astro and dog: Amazon; Atlas HD dance: Boston Dynamics; Digits with bins: Agility Robotics; Stretch stretched: Hello Robot; Stretch serving drink: Hello Robot; π0 laundry: Physical Intelligence; Stretch kitchen: Hello Robot; Stretch dogs: Hello Robot; Atlas working: Boston Dynamics; Helper robot cooking: iStock; Helper robot dishwashing and ironing: Getty Images; Three Rosies: Mary Evans/AF Archive/Everett CollectionCreditsRoomba: iRobot; C-3PO: Vince Bucci/Getty Images; R2-D2: Collection Christophel/Alamy