Robots powered by artificial intelligence are slowly entering people’s daily lives, although they are still far from being present in every home.
One category that has especially captured investors’ attention is humanoid robots. Some promise that they will be in every home in the coming decades, while others take a much more skeptical approach.
This category has received billions of dollars from investors, with the expectation that humanoid robots could impact almost all areas of society, replacing jobs and even performing household tasks.
However, some experts warn that technical reality is far from meeting these expectations. For example, Aneli Capital, a venture capital firm, recommends that investors maintain discipline: «Investors should back companies with realistic goals, based on economics, not hype. From day one, startups should aim to generate early revenue through licensing and partnerships, and have a clear short-term monetization model.»
For his part, the pioneer of robotics Rodney Brookscreator of the Roomba vacuum cleaner, has been skeptical. According to Brooks, humanoid robots are not yet safe or dexterous enough to perform human tasks, due to persistent problems with manual dexterity and mobility. “We are going to experience great excitement, and then there will be a period of disappointment,” he told the New York Times.
Even so, investment in humanoid robots continues to grow. According to Aneli Capital, “AI gives humanoids commercial potential that was not possible before.”
A report from CB Insights indicates that in the third quarter of this year, more than 50% of the more than $95 billion in venture capital funding went to artificial intelligence.