At the end of two days of conferences, seminars and workshops, the question was no longer whether this integration would happen, but when... Points of view.
The advent of the humanoid: from industrial prototype to production partner. Dr André Scholz, Head of Autonomous Factory Innovation, Siemens AG
The industry is currently facing a very difficult situation, with labour shortages, efficiency imperatives and safety requirements. Against this backdrop, the market for humanoid robots offers unprecedented growth prospects. We are witnessing the emergence of an industrial market estimated to be worth £100 billion by 2035.
However, the truly productive use of humanoids presents the industry with numerous challenges. One of the most significant is the integration of these "new employees" into existing systems. The issue of safety is central. The true value of humanoids is revealed when they interact with humans, not when they are confined behind barriers or in semi-protected areas. Removing these various safety barriers requires humanoids to have an increased ability to predict human intentions, effective safety mechanisms and the implementation of specific regulatory standards.
Another challenge currently facing us is the dexterity required to achieve human precision in complex industrial tasks. The human hand has approximately 27 degrees of freedom, allowing for nuanced manipulation. Today, most robotic hands are far from offering the same range of possibilities, being limited to simple grasping and placing movements. The challenge is not only mechanical, but also relates to artificial intelligence and sensorimotor capabilities. However, major advances are underway and the required level of precision could be achieved thanks to AI models trained on massive data sets using techniques such as imitation learning.
Batteries are also still a weak point. Most humanoid prototypes can run for between two and four hours on a single charge, which is a long way from the eight to twelve hours of an industrial working day. The main obstacle lies in the energy density of the battery and the charging time. The leading solutions under development are interchangeable batteries that enable near-continuous operation and rapid recharging.
The issue of costs is also at the heart of the debate. Consulting firm McKinsey summarises the situation as follows: "The gap between what has been technically demonstrated in pilot projects and what is commercially viable on a large scale remains significant."
André Scholz: "The current cost of prototypes, estimated at between $150,000 and $500,000, is hindering widespread adoption. To compete with the total cost of human labour, the goal is to achieve a unit price of $20,000 to $50,000." To achieve this, it is necessary to fundamentally rethink large-scale manufacturing: task-oriented architecture, modular mechatronic joints and an industrial-scale supply chain.
Thoughts to consider in shaping the next decade
Despite strong enthusiasm and rapid progress, the integration of humanoids into industry currently raises more questions than it answers. To better understand this situation, much reflection is still needed:
- For technologists: Which element – safety, availability, dexterity, or cost – represents the most crucial engineering challenge to be overcome?
- For business leaders: Which workflows, currently limited by human labour, are most conducive to the integration of humanoids?
- For investors: Which segment of the value chain – vertically integrated equipment manufacturers, critical components (actuators, sensors) or AI model providers – will generate the most value in the long term?
