Humanoid Robots Face Physical Design Limits Despite AI Advances

Despite significant advancements in AI, humanoid robots continue to face major challenges due to their rigid physical design, which limits their movement and efficiency. Industry leaders like Sony highlight the need for smarter, more flexible mechanical structures, such as compliant joints and tendon-powered limbs, to enable robots to mimic natural human motion and perform delicate tasks more effectively. Current humanoids consume substantially more energy than humans during basic activities, such as walking, leading to limited operational times. At the World Robot Conference, experts debated the future roles of humanoid robots, recognizing their potential in sectors with labor shortages like elderly care but noting their unsuitability for heavy industrial tasks. Meanwhile, CEOs of robotics firms predict breakthroughs in AI capabilities within a few years that could help bring humanoid robots into more mainstream use. Overall, the robotics industry is shifting focus from purely software-driven solutions to integrating mechanical intelligence to overcome fundamental physical limitations.