Humanoid Robots Reporting for Work

Humanoid robots are a subset of general-purpose robots that include large and small robotic arms that have become an essential enabler of factory automation. The development of humanoids that utilize artificial intelligence is now in the process of blurring the line between man and machine.

People have been fascinated for hundreds of years with the concept of machines that look and act like humans. Robotic contraptions go back to the 4th century BC when the Greek mathematician Archytas proposed a mechanical bird propelled by steam. Leonardo da Vinci described one of the earliest recorded designs of a robot in 1495. The first humanoid robot was a metal soldier with a trumpet, made in 1810 by Friedrich Kaufmann in Dresden, Germany.

Early British robot Eric

The introduction of devices powered by electricity enabled the creation of Eric in 1928. Consisting of a metal suit, a collection of electromagnets, and a battery powered motor, this early humanoid could be remotely controlled to move its hands and head.

We have come a long way since then. As popular media explored the possibilities of humanoids with human-like capabilities and appearance, advancing technology has brought it into reality.

Humanoid robots are a subset of general-purpose robots that include large and small robotic arms. These machines have become an essential enabler of factory automation. Advanced humanoids have been designed for elder companionship, security, surgical, and military applications. The development of humanoids that utilize artificial intelligence is now in the process of blurring the line between man and machine.

The last 10 years have seen unprecedented advances in humanoid robotics. Early robots utilized wheels to get around until advanced sensors enabled software designers to duplicate bipedal walking motion. These early robots took slow lumbering steps while their arms seemed to follow predetermined movements that comedians would mimic. Programming a robot was a time-consuming process with little flexibility for adaptation to a new task.

ASIMO

The ASIMO robot from Honda and the Atlas robot from Boston Dynamics made groundbreaking advances in humanoid development and opened the door to an entirely new generation of machines that were thought impossible 10 years ago.

Atlas

Atlas was the first humanoid robot to demonstrate walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, running and even doing backflips. A music video featuring a pair of Atlas robots dancing showcased their incredible dexterity.

Movement of hands and legs became smooth, while stability under challenging conditions significantly improved. Humanoid robots today feature greater agility and can run a 100-yard dash in less than 10 seconds. Walking on level ground and up and down stairs is nearly as smooth as a human gait.

Humanoids began to appear in many configurations to address multiple applications, including teaching aids, toys, routine hospital checks, home security, and warehouse tasks.

Programming these robots remained a technical and economic challenge. Enter artificial intelligence.

A new class of humanoid robots is now in the process of upending the market. Outfitted with an array of cameras, sensors, and AI-based machine learning technology, they can learn a new task in minutes. Rather than requiring extensive programming, these robots can learn a new task simply by observing repetitions of a desired action, making them much more adaptable to new tasks. Some of these advanced machines can understand and convert spoken commands to desired action and evaluate the success of their efforts.

Attributed by Sanctuary AI: Dexterous Hydraulic Hand

Crude pincer-like hands are being replaced with soft, highly flexible fingers studded with sensors that allow safe handling of delicate items.

Humanoid robots have been adapted for a broad range of applications and environments.

Cobots designed to work alongside humans now work in collaborative groups of robots supervised by a human manager.

Additionally, they are being trained to recognize and respond appropriately to human expression. Humanoids designed for applications that require close human interaction are being outfitted with human-like faces and the ability to express human emotional responses.

The increasing gap between demand and availability of skilled labor is a primary incentive for manufacturers to consider the use of robots of all types in the factory. Robots never tire, take lunch breaks, join unions, or demand a pension. One human can easily manage a team of robots. Their ability to replace low-wage help is another factor that will help drive down the cost premium of humanoid robots. Humanoid robots have begun to be deployed in service sector applications such as restaurant food delivery, most likely to provide novelty, not real cost reduction. Meta recently announced the creation of a new R&D division focused on developing consumer AI-powered humanoid robots targeting household chores. Next-generation robots will exhibit “embodied AI,” enabling greater awareness of and ability to respond to the physical world.

Continuing advances in AI, high-performance computing (HPC), advanced sensors, and improved battery technologies are expected to enable rapid market growth for humanoid robots, with primary markets currently focused in Asia.

Forecasts for this volatile industry vary widely with some estimates coming in at USD 3.28 billion in 2024 and growth projections to USD 66.0 billion by 2032, an eye-popping CAGR of 45.5%.

Leading humanoid robotic companies include:

• PAL Robotics
• Figure AI
• Agility Robotics
• Honda Motor Co.
• Boston Dynamics (Hyundai)
• Sanctuary Cognitive Systems Corporation
• NVIDIA Corporation

Humanoid robots are incredibly complex electro-mechanical machines that integrate powerful embedded computers, hydraulics, PCB assemblies, actuators, cameras, multiple motors, battery management, power and signal distribution cables. Sensors are the eyes, ears and navigation tools between the computer and the physical world making them a critical component in robot design. Depending on the application, humanoid robots must often deliver reliable service in harsh environments including extreme temperatures, moisture, corrosive chemicals, radiation, dust, shock and vibration. New applications in manufacturing, consumer services, healthcare, and military are proliferating, which is beginning to drive prices down and expand market potential, a fact not being lost on electronic connector and sensor manufacturers.

Connectors for humanoid robots

Major connector manufacturers have identified the sales growth potential for connectors and sensors required to build these advanced machines in production volumes. Many now offer design support materials focused on products that address the unique requirements of robots with the objective of providing the full range of interconnects required.

Amphenol offers a wide variety of power, signal, RF and optical connectors, cable assemblies, and sensors applicable to robot assembly. The offerings are arranged in application categories including control and communication, battery management, battery and charger, motor drive and controllers, as well as vision and sensing.

An example is Amphenol Communication Systems’ BrightConnX 2.5mm connector and cable series. These rugged, high-density connectors feature IP67 sealing, are rated to 250VAC, 7A, and offer positive latching.

Amphenol RF’s broad portfolio of RF interconnect solutions, available from Heilind Electronics, offers RF connectors used in robotic collision avoidance, GPS navigation, RFID, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi communication circuits.

Molex concentrates its robotic product lines on smart factory industrial applications in three categories of connectors, vision systems, and industrial robotic control units. 3D vision systems require high-speed communication between multiple sensors and computers and must be protected from electromagnetic interference being created by nearby components as well as the ambient environment. Signal integrity in these circuits is essential.

Molex’s single pair Industrial Ethernet connectors offer high-density, durable shielded two circuit interfaces ideal for robotic applications where space is at a premium and reliability of high-speed, low latency data transmission is essential.

Molex’s current, inductive, and photoelectric sensors are designed with rugged housings, IP67 or IP69K-rated sealing, and can be used in system management and object detection applications.

Molex also promotes a line of DeviceNet network interface cards that provide real-time control of robotic machines.

Phoenix Contact is promoting solutions for future robotic connectivity with a range of connectors focused on five categories: End-of-arm tooling (EOAT), automated mobile robots, industrial robots, medical robots, and custom solutions.

Phoenix Contact’s M5 – M12 Metric circular connectors and cable assemblies find applications in all five segments as well as in humanoid robots.

Phoenix Contact provides a wide variety of board-to-board connectors designed for discrete or ribbon flat cables.

Samtec offers high-performance ruggedized interconnects ideal for robotic equipment. The company’s website features connectors for autonomous robotic applications including a broad selection of high-performance stacking, power, and board-to-board connectors. Samtec also offers high-density cable assemblies.

Samtec’s EXTreme Ten60Power family delivers board-to-board high current power performance to 60 A per power blade while maintaining a low 10 mm profile. Multiple variations including up to 40 signal contacts are available.

Samtec coaxial and flat ribbon assemblies are ideal for connectors over movable joints.

TE Connectivity organizes its robotic related interconnects for factory automation into manipulator/arm and base applications.

TE’s INTERCONTEC connectors are designed to link servo motors to servo drives and controls used in robotics and machinery. These connectors offer a variety of solutions for reliable power, signal, and data interconnects.

TE/Corcom filters are available in single phase, three phase, and DC power line configurations and are essential to protect sensitive power and control circuits from electromagnetic interference, typical in noisy robotic machines.

Additional connector manufacturers that offer robotic related interconnects and sensors include:

• Harwin, miniature connectors
• HARTING, connectors and cables
• Smiths Interconnect, shielded metal circular connectors
• Rosenberger, RaPD connector
• Omnetics, Nano connectors
• EDAC, custom connectors
• Staubli International AG, Combi-Tac modular connectors (from Powell Electronics)

Humanoid robots won’t likely enter the general market for several years, as current costs make many commercial humanoid robots impractical. However, that does not stop governments from considering humanoid robotic soldiers, as no international laws currently prohibit autonomous weapons systems.

SWORD Defense, a company located in Georgia, has already mounted a rifle on a robotic dog. This Special Purpose Unmanned Rifle (SPUR) sports night vision, thermal camera, and a 10-round magazine. Future wars may be fought by armies of autonomous robots hopefully trained to differentiate between foes and civilians. Winners will be determined by which combatant has the most effective robotic technology.

Robotic humanoids may become another example of how AI technology will be employed to forever change the world we live in. The rate technology is advancing is astounding. In a recent Figure AI demonstration, two of its humanoid robots were verbally given a task they were not programmed to do, involving objects they had never seen before. Not only were they able to correctly identify each object and move it to an appropriate location, but they cooperated by handing off objects to the robot closest to the proper destination. Apptronick recently demonstrated its new Apollo humanoid robot designed to work on assembly lines building humanoid robots. AI enabled humanoid robots may become a consumer appliance sooner than anyone expected.

Look for Bob Hult’s upcoming review of OFC 2025 this spring and read his high-speed coverage, Tech Trends series, and more show reports in his Connector Supplier archives.

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