General purpose humanoid robots? Bill Gates is a believer

The robotics industry is buzzing with debates, and one of the hottest topics is humanoid robots. Recent startups like 1X and Figure, along with projects from established companies like Tesla, have put humanoids back in the spotlight.

Advocates of humanoid robots argue that since our world is designed for humans, it makes sense to create robots that resemble us. They highlight advantages such as reach, the ability to navigate stairs, and dexterity.

However, it's worth noting that the human body isn't perfect, as evident from issues like degenerative disc disease.

Bill Gates recently highlighted several robotics startups and labs he's excited about, including three focusing on humanoid robots: Agility, Apptronik, and UCLA's RoMeLa.

Gates praised Apptronik for developing general-purpose humanoid robots like Apollo, which can perform various tasks from factory work to household chores.

Regarding Agility, Gates suggested that robots modeled after humans could seamlessly operate in our environments. Agility's Digit robot has seen real-world deployments, including a pilot at Amazon warehouses.



While Gates' endorsement may not drastically alter the direction of humanoid robots, it adds mainstream legitimacy to the form factor's growing acceptance.