Produced by: Tarun Mishra
From the dawn of civilization to the present era, humanity has made significant strides in technological advancements. Among these breakthroughs are advanced humanoid robots, revolutionizing various sectors such as healthcare, maintenance, and education.
Leading the pack is Sophia, created by Hanson Robotics in 2016. As the first robot to obtain citizenship in any country, Sophia's design was inspired by the iconic Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn. Primarily tasked with caring for the elderly and managing crowds, Sophia has garnered attention for her controversial statements.
Another creation by Hanson Robotics, Grace, Sophia's sister, specializes in supporting individuals in the early stages of degenerative brain disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace played a crucial role in assisting isolated individuals. Fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English, she employs AI to diagnose patients.
Recently, Elon Musk revealed Optimus Gen 2, an advanced humanoid robot capable of more than mere walking and talking. The upgraded robot boasts increased walking speed, improved hand movements, tactile sensing on its fingers, and a host of other enhancements. According to Musk, Optimus could be out in market by the end of 2024.
Rounding off the list is Atlas, hailed as the world's most dynamic humanoid robot. Funded by the U.S. Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency and developed by Boston Dynamics, Atlas is engineered to undertake perilous tasks such as search and rescue missions, showcasing the pinnacle of robotic innovation.
Joining Sophia and Grace is Desdemona, another creation from Hanson Robotics. Programmed to craft spoken poetry in response to cultural references and music, Desdemona showcases the fusion of art and technology.
Developed by Nanyang Technological University, Nadine is a socially intelligent humanoid robot equipped with advanced functionalities. Capable of expressing emotions, answering queries, and interacting through arm movements, Nadine utilizes 3D depth cameras and microphones for seamless task execution.
Kime, developed by Macco Robotics, specializes in serving food and beverages efficiently. With the ability to align glasses and pour beer accurately, Kime can serve 300 glasses per hour, demonstrating remarkable speed and precision.
Han, another creation by Hanson Robotics, is designed to enhance customer service experiences, particularly in hotels. Equipped with multiple cameras and voice recognition technology, Han observes the environment and engages in conversations with users, aiming to foster contentment.
Tailored for industrial applications, Talos by PAL Robotics is engineered to assist with heavy lifting tasks. With a load-bearing capacity of 6kg and torque sensor feedback in all joints, Talos ensures precise multi-contact motions and robust sensing capabilities.
Gemenoid DK is a lifelike android developed for research purposes, focusing on human-robot interaction studies. Modeled after Danish professor Henrikmodeled, this realistic android serves as a valuable tool for investigating the dynamics of human-robot relationships.