Rise of Humanoids: The next great unfolding for the humanity

The idea of humanoids or humanoid robots has attracted international attention due to considerable progress in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics over the years that have fostered the innovation of machines, largely ultra-modern and realistic in nature. One of the key features of humanoids is their ability to perform tasks that are considered too risky or complicated for humans to execute. Nevertheless, humanoids to become as savvy as humans will have to be imbued with the capability to understand natural human language, which is called Natural Language Processing (NLP). The use of humanoids in Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs) for general objectives is therefore growing and increasingly moving towards investment aid to execute tasks that humans do effortlessly.

Humanoids created to resemble and process humans present a spectrum of advantages and disadvantages in several domains and facets. Advantages include a presence in environmental settings that have decreased risk, improved efficiency, and enhanced general productivity. The humanoid robotics market presently is undergoing rapid expansion and is found to have possible applications that are manifold, and extensive, and their practicality in the domain of the military, government, aviation, education, healthcare, industries, and other sectors cannot be downplayed. Correspondingly, disadvantages or drawbacks that ought to be addressed include privacy and ethical concerns, the complicated nature of humanoid designing, the need for advanced research and development (R&D), and high-cost labor coupled with job displacement about the future of technology and its influence on society. There are likewise additional concerns about the possibility of humanoids developing compassion and emotional intelligence

(EI), leading to several possible questions about their capability to communicate with humans in an understanding and empathetic tone.

Similarly, one of the most crucial issues in the foreground is the far-reaching competition and conflicts concerning the arms race and the implications for international security. As the global power contention in the area of humanoids has been drastically soaring, drawing a thin line between partnership and competition and moreover in a way to attain a competitive advantage in miscellaneous sectors and industries, it is substantial for countries to advance this arduous outlook with forward planning and consideration.

The prospects for humanoids are interminable owing to the advancement of robotics at a drastic pace, which makes it a favourable path for the future of humankind. Simultaneously, there is a need for expanded opportunities for cooperation and partnership between nations and the demonstrative role of International organisations regarding the rules, ethical considerations, regulations, and advancement of humanoids. Some of the examples of top global humanoid robots include Ameca, Alter-3, Armar-6, Astro, Apollo, Atlas, Beomni, Digit, Kime, Nadine, Nao, Oceanone, Robonaut-2, Sophia and Surena IV. For good measure, the most distinctive humanoid robots created in India include Manav, Mitra, Robocop, KEMPA, IRA, RADA, and Indro. The following innovative humanoid robots consequently highlight the advancement in the arena of robotics, showcasing their abilities in research, customer assistance, law enforcement, and diverse domains in India. To boot, the US-based Project Nvidia is further advancing robotics through the introduction of Project GR00T, a multimodal AI to power humanoids for the future through cutting-edge foundation AI.

In the subsequent years, the Industrial Revolution over and above that where humanity and humanoids are integrated into all sectors will play a pre-eminent role, which points to Industry 5.0 or Industrial Revolution 5.0. Notwithstanding there is a need to overcome societal and technological challenges. In the ensuing manner, the adoption of humanoids and their mass production will become more of a reality than ever due to recent technological breakthroughs, dwindling production, difficulties in supply chains, an aging population, and so on. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and industry stakeholders further acknowledge that there could be over 1 billion humanoids on Earth by 2040s and the probable market prospect for humanoids is enormous and intensifying.

This op-ed piece henceforth presents a glance into a tomorrow where humans and robots can coexist and cooperate in amicability but also with vigilance and heedfulness. As the evolution of humanoids is still in the nascent stage, a lot of work including research is required to make these robots imitate humans. New prospects for advancement, innovation, and cooperation could possibly shape the future generations of society by fostering more concrete knowledge about them and their abilities. Be that as it may, there is no clarity on how well they will blend into society and how agreeably this will be accepted. As humanoids begin to steadily integrate into society it is important to find cutting-edge solutions that will aid in prioritising the well-being of global society and its probable influence on human relationships.