Humanoid robots are starting to work side by side with actual people in warehouses for the first time. The latest model, Apollo, is an all-electric robot made by an Austin-based startup called Apptronik. It is 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds and can lift 55 pounds.
Apollo is designed for live action in the workplace, and can run for four hours before its battery needs to be swapped. It is initially being used for basic material handling tasks, such as moving boxes and totes. However, Apptronik says that Apollo is “suited for mass manufacturability” and that its capabilities could be expanded with software updates.
The company is currently producing alpha units of Apollo, and plans to move into full production by the end of 2024. Other companies are also developing humanoid robots, including Figure, Agility Robotics and Sanctuary AI.
The Goldman Sachs Research report estimates that the market for humanoid robots could be worth $6 billion in the next 10 to 15 years. This could help to fill the projected labor shortage in manufacturing and elderly care.
These humanoid robots need to be able to balance, walk, and have hand-eye coordination. They also need to be able to understand the world and make decisions. Despite the challenges, the development of humanoid robots is an exciting prospect. They have the potential to revolutionize the way we work and live.
The sources for this piece include an article in Axios.