Expert Warns of Risks as Humanoid Robots Approach Reality

The advancement of autonomous humanoid robots is progressing, yet experts caution that without strict regulations, they may pose more risks than benefits. Dr. Carl Strathearn, a leading robotics researcher at Edinburgh Napier University, is set to address these concerns at New Scientist Live in London from October 18-20, 2023. His insights highlight the current limitations of humanoid robots and the pressing need for proper oversight.

Despite impressive demonstrations of robots performing tasks such as pouring drinks and folding laundry, the gap between these showcases and a truly functional humanoid assistant remains substantial. According to Dr. Strathearn, “The biggest problem is the lack of real-world data and the technological means of gathering it in large enough quantities to train our robots effectively.” Current robotic systems primarily depend on virtual simulations or data scraped from videos, resulting in machines that excel in controlled environments but falter in unpredictable real-world situations.

Dr. Strathearn will also present his prototype robot, Euclid, at the science showcase. He illustrates the challenge of robot adaptability with a simple example: “Think of a simple object like a cup. There are millions of variations in size, weight, shape, and color. Now extrapolate that to every object in a house, and you can see the scale of the challenge.” He suggests that crowdsourcing real-world data through devices like Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses could help, but acknowledges that this would require a significant number of individuals to participate, raising ethical questions.

The real concern, according to Dr. Strathearn, is not the fear of robots turning against humans, but rather the potential for human misuse of these technologies. He states, “We are and always have been more of a danger to ourselves than anything else.” To address this issue, he is leading a petition to the UK Parliament advocating for regulations governing humanoid robots in public areas, following several alarming incidents involving near misses between humans and robots.

Dr. Strathearn emphasizes the dangers posed by human operators who often lack proper training to control these machines effectively. “Humans control them using handheld devices, which makes them very dangerous and unreliable,” he explains. The need for stringent regulations is urgent as humanoid robots begin to integrate more into daily life.

Another aspect Dr. Strathearn discusses is the psychological impact of humanoid robots. Robots that closely resemble humans may trigger discomfort due to the “uncanny valley” phenomenon. Yet, he notes that in specific contexts, such as dementia care, a familiar human-like presence can be beneficial. “People have different thresholds of perception when it comes to creepiness,” he says, which is why there are various designs of robots, from highly lifelike to those with minimal features.

During his doctoral research, Dr. Strathearn developed the “Multimodal Turing Test” to assess whether communication through humanoid robots made artificial intelligence seem more human. Subsequent research from Japan confirmed that realistic robots could enhance the perception of AI as human-like. He insists that acceptance of these robots will not happen spontaneously but will require a gradual, well-structured introduction, particularly in educational settings where children can learn about robotics and AI.

Despite these challenges, the race among corporations to develop humanoid robots continues unabated. Dr. Strathearn expresses concern over the disparity between current capabilities and public expectations, stating, “The hype is a major issue.” He notes that many companies are eager to mass-produce humanoid robots, despite the existing skills gap in the field. Universities often compartmentalize education into distinct areas like computer science, engineering, and design, which may hinder the interdisciplinary collaboration essential for advancing robotics.

Ironically, Dr. Strathearn identifies space exploration as a potential area where humanoid robots may find practical applications sooner than on Earth. He believes that AI-controlled humanoids could operate in space for extended periods, contributing to significant advancements in exploration. “They may be more useful much quicker for this type of exploration work than down here on Earth,” he claims.

While the prospect of robots assisting in the colonization of Mars is exciting, Dr. Strathearn’s cautionary message resonates: the paramount challenge on Earth is ensuring the safety, reliability, and regulation of humanoid robots before they become commonplace in society. He concludes, “Robots might terraform Mars one day. But on Earth, only strict regulation will keep us safe.”