Renowned roboticist Rodney Brooks has outlined his predictions for how humanoid robots may evolve, suggesting that their designs could be far less human-like than many expect. Brooks, an artificial intelligence pioneer and entrepreneur known for co-founding iRobot and Rethink Robotics, argued that within 15 years, humanoid robots will be widespread but unlikely to resemble either current prototypes or human beings.
In a recently published article, Brooks stated that some future models could even incorporate sensors or “eyes” positioned in unconventional areas, such as near the waist, to provide a better view of the terrain. This would allow robots to navigate uneven surfaces more effectively, he explained.
Brooks, who also once directed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), highlighted the growing ambitions of companies such as Figure, LimX Dynamics, Apptronik, and Tesla. These firms are pushing towards large-scale deployment of humanoid robots in industrial environments, either working alongside humans or replacing them in specific tasks.
While some companies believe mass adoption could take place in as little as two years, Brooks dismissed these forecasts as overly optimistic. “Believing that this will happen any time within decades is pure fantasy thinking,” he said.
Challenges in mimicking human abilities
One of the biggest hurdles in humanoid robotics remains replicating the dexterity of the human hand. Brooks pointed out that no current design has yet managed to demonstrate truly versatile or practical movement in real-world applications.
“No human-like robot hands have demonstrated much in the way of dexterity, in any general sense,” he said. “And none have inspired designs that have made it into deployment in real-world applications.”
Safety also presents a major concern. Brooks warned that full-sized humanoid robots, due to their weight and powerful actuators, could pose serious risks in shared environments if they were to fall or move unpredictably. Unlike smaller robots, which are generally safer, large-scale machines can easily injure people nearby.
“My advice to people is to not come closer than three metres to a full-size walking robot,” Brooks said. He added that humanoid robots will not receive certification for use in shared human spaces until safer models are developed.
Rethinking design and purpose
Brooks predicted that many humanoid robots will eventually move away from two-legged walking altogether. Instead, he expects designers to adopt wheels for locomotion, at first using two and later more. These machines may retain the humanoid label, but they will not necessarily resemble human legs in form.
He also suggested that future models could vary significantly in structure, with some featuring one, two, or three arms. While some may include traditional five-fingered hands, others could be equipped with simpler two-finger grippers or even suction cups. Sensors are also likely to expand beyond human vision, incorporating active light and non-visible frequencies. Robots could even feature sensors in their hands or near the waistline to improve movement and awareness of their surroundings.
Despite these innovations, Brooks predicted that much of the money currently being invested in humanoid robotics will be lost, as many of today’s prototypes fail to make it into long-term use.
Whether his predictions prove accurate remains to be seen, but with significant investment and rapid innovation underway, the future of humanoid robots promises to be both unconventional and fascinating.
