Tags: humanoid robots

Elon Musk has filed a $130 billion lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the firm abandoned its nonprofit roots. At the same time, reports suggest OpenAI is developing a smartphone that would embed AI agents in place of traditional apps. A new study finds Gen Z users growing resentful of AI despite high adoption rates, while China plans to deploy thousands of humanoid robots on its power grid. The week’s AI headlines highlight legal battles, hardware ambitions, and shifting public sentiment toward artificial intelligence. Ler mais

A lawsuit filed by former safety engineer Robert Gruendel alleges that Figure AI's Figure 02 humanoid robot is capable of exerting force sufficient to fracture a human skull, and that he was dismissed after raising safety concerns. Figure AI denies the claim, attributing his termination to poor performance. Meanwhile, a demonstration by Chinese robotics firm Engine AI saw its CEO knocked to the ground by the company's T800 robot, raising questions about the strength and safety of such machines. Both events highlight growing scrutiny over the risks associated with advanced humanoid robots. Ler mais

Rizzbot, a humanoid robot built by Unitree Robotics, has amassed a massive following on TikTok and Instagram, where it posts videos of street performances, jokes, and even sends provocative direct messages. The robot’s creator, a university graduate student, programs its movements and connects it to large language models that generate its online interactions. Observers note that Rizzbot illustrates a growing trend of robots as entertainers, while also raising questions about the role of AI in public engagement and the potential for human‑robot conflict. Ler mais

iRobot co‑founder Brooks recounts a near‑miss with an Agility Robotics Digit humanoid that fell when he got too close, leading him to keep a three‑meter distance from moving bipedal robots. He argues that current walking mechanisms make safety certification for shared human‑robot zones virtually impossible, limiting the deployment of humanoids in health‑care and factories. Looking ahead, Brooks predicts that within 15 years “humanoids” will look nothing like today’s bipedal machines, favoring wheels, varied arm counts, and novel sensor placements. He notes that billions spent on vision‑only, rigid humanoids may be misplaced, while academic work such as MIT’s tactile glove shows promise but remains far from true human‑like dexterity. Ler mais

Renowned roboticist Rodney Brooks, co‑founder of iRobot and longtime MIT researcher, cautions investors that the current surge in humanoid robot funding is unsustainable. He argues that attempts by companies such as Tesla and Figure to teach robots dexterity through video training overlook fundamental gaps in tactile sensing, safety, and scalability. Brooks highlights the complexity of the human hand—home to roughly 17,000 specialized touch receptors—and notes the lack of comparable data collection traditions for robots. He also warns that large walking robots pose significant safety hazards and predicts that future successful robots will favor wheels, multiple arms, and specialized sensors over a human‑like form. Ler mais

Tesla unveiled its fourth “Master Plan,” outlining ambitions for humanoid robots and planet‑wide sustainable energy. Analysts and observers note the document is vague, missing concrete milestones, and echo concerns raised by CEO Elon Musk about its lack of specifics. The plan follows earlier master plans that set detailed goals for solar roofs, new vehicle models, and autonomous driving, many of which remain unfinished. Critics argue the story reads like generic talking points rather than a measurable roadmap, raising questions about Tesla’s ability to deliver on its expansive vision. Ler mais