Author | Chen Wen

Source | Dongjian New Research Institute

In 1958, Joseph Engelberger and George Devol introduced the world's first industrial robot, Unimate. Installed at General Motors in 1961, Unimate's clunky rectangular body, connected to a thick robotic arm, began assisting in automobile production. Despite its unorthodox appearance, Unimate demonstrated that robots didn't need to mimic human forms.

However, the trend of embodied intelligence has seemingly shifted the narrative. Humanoid robots are now seen as the next big thing, with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology positioning them as "potentially groundbreaking products" akin to computers, smartphones, and new energy vehicles.

So, is the humanoid form a necessity for robots?

01 The Versatility of Non-Humanoid Robots

The perception of robots as humanoid is largely influenced by historical myths and science fiction. Yet, in the 21st century, with advancements in electronics, engineering, and materials science, our understanding of robots has evolved. Specialized automation equipment, like sweeping robots and appliances, have proven highly efficient and beneficial, transforming human life without adopting human forms.

02 The Strengths of Humanoid Robots

Despite this, the industry is flowing back towards humanoid robots, driven by their environmental adaptability. The human body structure, evolved over millions of years, offers high efficiency and adaptability, which humanoid robots can leverage. Moreover, human-centric environments make humanoid robots more practical without the need for extensive scene modifications.

Humanoid robots also excel in functional diversity. Unlike single-purpose robots, they can perform tasks across different scenarios, from opening doors to climbing stairs. This adaptability, combined with intelligent control systems, amplifies their capabilities.

Interaction is another area where humanoid robots shine. In educational, entertainment, and household services, their human-like interaction enhances user experience and trust. For instance, a humanoid teacher would be more effective and acceptable than a tablet learning machine.

03 The Dawn of Humanoid Robots

Humanoid robots are not new; their research and development surged globally after Waseda University's WABOT-1 in 1973. Yet, commercialization has been challenging due to high costs and unresolved technical difficulties.

However, the current wave of embodied intelligence, fueled by large models, offers a new opportunity. Wang Xingxing of Unitree Robotics believes that humanoid robots are on the verge of a breakthrough, similar to how ChatGPT opened new avenues for AI. Industry insiders predict that within 10 to 20 years, humanoid robots will achieve widespread application, with prices dropping significantly.

Elon Musk has revealed that Tesla's humanoid robot could cost less than $20,000, while NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang expects manufacturing costs to be significantly lower, potentially bringing prices down to the range of inexpensive cars.