Humanoid robots are catnip for the imagination. They dazzle at tech shows, mimicking our moves with eerie precision. I’m deeply impressed by the innovations powering robots that walk, talk, and gesture like us. They represent significant technological breakthroughs that herald exciting applications ahead.
I’m the founder and CEO of a multibillion-dollar company that was built by rejecting this one-sized-robot-fits-all-approach, choosing instead to build, orchestrate, and scale robots that are the best at what they do. That’s because I believe the next decade of robotics will be defined by specialized, purpose-built machines rather than ones that look like us. Machine systems provide better economics and operational efficiency than generalized humanoids, despite the latter’s impressive technological advances.
Consider a simple thought experiment: Would you rather have a humanoid robot or a dishwasher wash your dishes? This is the crux of the issue: complexity versus price. The dishwasher is faster, more efficient, and vastly more cost-effective because it’s designed specifically for one task.
Today’s most successful automation solutions don’t try to replicate humans; they reimagine processes from first principles.
The lesson is clear: Automation excels not by imitating humans but by reengineering processes to maximize performance at the lowest cost.
In unstructured environments where tasks vary wildly and space is designed for human bodies, jack-of-all-trades humanoids have merit if costs drop dramatically and capabilities improve exponentially—all of which are quite possible and even likely in the years ahead. Advances in specialized robots often find their way into humanoids as motors and sensors are deployed in ever larger numbers.
I am optimistic that humanoids’ dramatic price drop and performance upgrade will happen over the next decade and will add incredible dimensions to human life—and finally help me to stop folding laundry.
Until then, businesses serving customers and investors must drill into their return-on-robotics investment. In warehouse automation, it comes down to critical operational performance: speed, volume, and precision of inventory retrieval, all weighed against the cost of the robot and ongoing operational costs. That demands robots honed for the job—and meeting today’s high bar for performance. Today, most purpose-built robotics companies promise payback in five years or so—an impressive start for a nascent industry that will only improve.
Humanoids inspire awe. Yet I believe the next 10 years will be ruled by purpose-built robots solving hard problems with lean solutions that maximize productivity from every inch of operations and pay for themselves many times over.
For now, don’t bet on robots that mimic your walk—invest in ones that run your business better.
The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.
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