Expert makes chilling prediction robot butlers could be a reality by 2030 but they come with a huge risk
Those rich enough to afford it could very well have access to robot butlers previously reserved only for futuristic science fiction, yet one expert has outlined the dangerous risks that might arrive with such a creation, outlining why humanoid bots might not be all they're cracked up to be.
The world of robotics has seemingly advanced rapidly in the last several years alongside the dramatic evolution of generative artificial intelligence, and that has opened up the door to a wide range of potential robot solutions.
Companies like Elon Musk's Tesla have already shown off their 'Optimus' robot prototypes with freakishly human-like movements, and while the billionaire might have his focus set on the future's potential for sex robots, the predominant direction of travel appears to be towards servitude.
We're already seeing some of the world's biggest companies employ robots into their production lines with Apple taking major steps in that realm, but according to one expert it could be within just five years that we see humanoid robot butlers make their way into our homes.
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As reported by the Metro, founder of robotics company Exotec Romain Moulin has outlined that it won't be too long before the ultra rich can buy 'toy-like' humanoid robots to mop their floors and do the dusting.
It might seem like a pipe dream for some, and Moulin asserts that it will very much be a thing you can buy, but it does come with a major catch that perhaps makes it a bit too good to be true.
He argues that they won't be much more than a party trick to show off to your friends, as the battery life of a robot with such complex programming and machinery would be incredibly restricted, leaving it able to work for no longer than about 10 minutes.
"It will be sitting in a corner of the room. You will have some friends over and you will tell that humanoid robot, 'please clean my floor'," Moulin explained. "It will pick up a broom and start cleaning, and then will go back and sit on his chair charging, because he has ten minutes of autonomy. That stuff has high power consumption."
There's also a major risk when it comes to emulating the human body in robot form that isn't widely discussed right now. Moulin illustrates that "if you increase the performance of your robot and you want to lift heavier things, you are creating more chance to hurt someone."
For a robot to just be able to stand still or walk around its legs alone would weigh 40kg, which is more than enough to deal serious damage if involved in an accident. Enhancing the workload demands will only increase this weight, making it an ever-increasing risk to be around other humans and any of the delicate items in your home.
Moulin has also pushed back against the belief that humanoid-style robots should be implemented into factories, arguing that having legs as opposed to wheels is not only a waste of money but also entirely impractical.
He argues that legs would be beneficial in human-dominated environments like hospitals, restaurants, or in your home as wheels carry a greater danger, but it would be superfluous to favor the limited design of legs over the functionality of wheels, and would be purely an aesthetic choice.
There are a number of current robotic designs that favor an advanced replication of the human body down to the muscles and bones, but it's unclear exactly where these will find a home - especially as malfunctions have been clear to see in current models.