Humanoid robots are stylish today in fiction and, in reality, in very hot waves. Many may say they belong to the movies, but, in fact, they are here and being tested. These are becoming more prevalent today, as we see humanoid robots penetrating the showbiz industry to boot with new interactive experiences. They might be used to build lifelike attractions at theme parks— in gaming, for example, sites such as Vulkan Bet casino even use advanced robotics and AI to create a more immersive environment, e.g., robots as live dealers or personalized gaming experiences. Let's see other areas where they thrive.

Humanoid Robots: Who Are They?

Humanoid robots are robots that have a human-like body and behave like humans. They have a head, torso, arms, and legs similar to humans. Some have facial expressions which can be combined with voice recognition to interact with people. Their mission is basically to perform human-like activities but in environments that are too dangerous, too repetitive, or too physically demanding for human beings.

Humanoid robots feature the following capabilities:

• Bipedal: They can walk on two legs and are much more agile, making them compatible with most human-based environments.

• Human-like: They have a head, arms, and torso like a human. Humanoid robots use artificial intelligence to process information, make decisions, and take actions in response to human commands.

• Interaction: Many humanoid robots can interact with humans through voice, facial recognition, or even gestures.

How Do Humanoid Robots Work?

Building a humanoid robot is an intricate combination of many technologies. These robots use all of the following: sensors, actuators, AI, and control systems. The most important thing to know about them is how all these work together:

• Sensors and perception: Humanoid robots have various sensory organs to perceive their environment. As follows: 

• Cameras and LIDAR for obstacle detection and object and people recognition;

• Microphones to listen and process speech sounds;

• Touch sensors to simulate the sense of touch and respond to interaction.

• Actuators and movement: Actuators move the robot. These are elements converting energy (usually electrical) into mechanical motion. In a human being, actuators are responsible for controlling their arms, legs, and even facial expressions. The whole motion is carried by motors or hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, depending on the design of the robot.

• Artificial intelligence and decision making: In human-like machines, AI is key. It allows them to process data from their sensors, decide based on that data and act. For example, if a humanoid robot detects a person in its environment, it can use facial recognition to identify the person or follow commands through voice recognition.

Humanoid robots can be classified in sundry ways by purpose, design, and level of autonomy. Some are used for research, some for commercial purposes, and some for entertainment. The following are the types:

• Research and developmental robots: Most humanoid robots are for research purposes. These robots are to push the limits of what is possible in robotics and AI. For example, robots like ASIMO by Honda and Atlas by Boston Dynamics are used for research purposes to test new movement and interaction methods.

• Practical robots: Most human-like machines are intended for working in practical environments. They may be receptionists, customer service agents, or hospital assistants. One example is Pepper, a humanoid robot by SoftBank Robotics that interacts with humans for customer-service purposes.

Humanoid Robot Application

Humanoid robots are not mere clowns. The real applications these have are in modeling industries like healthcare, entertainment, and manufacturing at some point in our not-so-distant future:

• Healthcare: Humanoid robots can provide support in healthcare in numerous ways. They can be companions for aged patients, help them move, or even provide medical care. For example, Robear from Japan can lift and carry patients who cannot perform that task themselves. Another possible use is assisting surgeons in precise tasks during surgery or performing the surgery itself in other cases.

• Customer care: Human-like machines are increasingly employed for customer service. They can greet customers, provide information, or help with the ordering of food. Pepper is capable of providing such services as being found in retail stores and banks. Because it is based on emotions and responses to humans, it is a valuable tool to accommodate a more personalized customer experience.

• Manufacturing and automation: In the area of manufacturing, humanoid robots can be applied to tasks like assembly, packaging, or quality control. In this regard, they can work collaboratively with humans even for physically demanding tasks. They are generally created for the interaction with the environment found in the human-centered setting; therefore, they find most of their better applications in those settings.