Pop culture is perhaps the main culprit for the public’s warped perception of the future of robotics. Although figures like C3PO in Star Wars, Data in Star Trek and the cyborg in The Terminator have given robotics some flashy mainstream appeal, they have also established narrow expectations for what robots could be and accomplish in the future.
“I’m never going to rule stuff out,” said Blake Hannaford, robotics professor at the University of Washington in Seattle. “But if you look back on science fiction from the ’50s and ’60s and compare it to today, it really missed the mark.”
For better or for worse, robots have defied human expectations. It’s unlikely that we’ll have to beware of Schwarzenegger-esque killer robots anytime soon, but even so, the future of robotics is sure to have surprises in store.
What Is the Future of Robotics?
It remains to be seen how robotics will evolve, but advances in AI, sensors and materials suggest a future where robots take on more dynamic roles — assisting in healthcare, performing search-and-rescue missions and even exploring space — greatly enhancing productivity and safety. However, concerns around job displacement, privacy and ethical use will likely affect the industry’s future as well.
First, What Is Robotics?
Robotics is the practice of designing and manufacturing robots, which perform physical tasks for humans and often possess some degree of autonomy. The field is interdisciplinary by nature, connecting to areas like engineering, computer science and artificial intelligence.
From humanoids to drones to dogs, robots come in various shapes and sizes, but they all share a few basic traits:
- Robots display a physical form made of mechanical parts.
- All robots require an electric current — whether from batteries or built-in circuitry — to power their movements and decisions.
- Each robot is guided by programming software and rules that allow them to complete actions and sometimes make decisions on its own.
Robots are already assisting humans in completing major surgeries, rescue operations and climate explorations. Going forward, the ways robots fall short of or surpass human abilities will shape the future of human-robot relationships. That future is proving to be quite complex, with both compelling and cautious undertones as the technology proliferates.
Advantages of Robots
There are many reasons to have an optimistic view on robots, including more advancements in other fields and opportunities for humans to perform more interesting, highly-skilled jobs.
Increased Innovation
Robotics often leads to breakthroughs in other fields because of its interdisciplinary nature. Computing power is necessary to fuel robots, and its growth has led to improvements in various technologies. For example, a smartphone can last longer and perform more tasks with the same battery life as its predecessors. More efficient computing power has also helped computer vision and natural language processing make great strides with the goal of enabling robots to better compile and learn from visual data.
As companies push for more intelligent robots, developers will need to create more advanced software to meet these demands as well. The interconnectedness of robotics encourages many fields to move beyond the limits of current knowledge.
Complementary Support
While some workers view robots as replacements, many workers are finding robots to be excellent coworkers. Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, have stepped up to handle repetitive, mundane job duties that require little intellectual exercise from an average human being. In the healthcare industry, for example, cobots can transport supplies, deliver medication to patients and a range of other hospital duties, freeing up nurses to focus on other things. And in the service industry they are being used to prepare and serve food
By supporting their employees and customers with robots, companies can also enjoy higher productivity levels and profits.
New Job Opportunities
It’s true that the introduction of robots will alter the job landscape, but the disappearance of some roles also makes room for higher-level jobs. For every worker replaced by a robot, companies still need to hire software developers and other tech professionals who know how to maintain robotics technology. In this sense, one could argue that robots have overtaken boring jobs and have paved the way for more improved jobs.
For companies suffering from a shortage of workers, robotics also provides a golden opportunity to upgrade their operations. Businesses can team up with robots to automate tasks, introduce employees to new technologies and give them more time to rest and apply their energies accordingly.
Disadvantages of Robots
Robotics has and will continue to change how people live and work, and not all of these changes are beneficial — which is why realistic concerns have been raised.
Privacy and Security Issues
Deciding where to draw boundaries has been a point of contention with robots. AI and robotics come with a range of potential security threats, such as performing surveillance, carrying out social engineering schemes and even committing physical attacks.
Another nightmare scenario for political and business leaders would be an accident involving a robot, such as a drone colliding with an airplane. While these are examples of worst-case events, the industry may need more regulations to ensure robots are applied in a safe and ethical manner.
Unfamiliar Technologies
Robots may lead to a higher demand for tech-based roles to maintain this technology, but not all employees have the skills needed for these jobs. Besides in-depth training, a four-year computer science degree comes with a certain level of prestige that no amount of up-skilling may be able to match. As a result, current employees who can’t afford college may get left behind in the wake of a robot revolution.
Job Competition
The automation capabilities of robots mean many workers are likely to be replaced by AI and robotics technologies. In fact, Goldman Sachs predicts that up to 50 percent of jobs could be fully automated by 2025, driven largely by generative AI and robotics.
A combination of expanding technologies and a lack of tech talent could hint at a brutal job market for many workers. As AI and robots encroach on all corners of the labor market, workers will need to broaden their skill sets and keep themselves marketable.
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
Artificial intelligence is reshaping robotics and creating even more possibilities for how humans and robots interact with each other. Here’s how.
Generative AI
Many robots are able to complete requests based on pre-programmed guidelines, basic controls and speech recognition technology. But ChatGPT and the innovation it sparked in the generative AI space could spill over into robotics, enhancing robots’ ability to understand complex commands and engage in more natural, context-aware interactions with humans. This could ultimately lead to robots that are not just tools, but collaborative partners across industries.
Robotic Automation
The development of artificial intelligence has led to increasing robotic automation. This has benefited service robots that perform simple tasks and hold basic conversations, as well as drones that are able to fly on their own to gather aerial data for construction sites, monitor crops for farmers and deliver packages for food companies.
Digital Twins
Engineers already use digital twins to simulate the behavior of robots, refine robotic designs to maximize performance and even control robots from a distance. But artificial intelligence takes these capabilities to another level, providing alerts for predictive equipment maintenance and simulating entire processes to find more efficient workflows.
Because AI-powered digital twins can compile and analyze large amounts of data, they’re also ideal for revealing customer trends, pinpointing anomalies and providing other big-picture insights.
Smart Cities
Visions for sustainable smart cities often include AI and robots working together to improve efficiency, safety and quality of life in urban environments. Intelligent robots could handle tasks like waste management, traffic management and even transportation itself
The Future of Robotics
The robotics industry worldwide keeps innovating, combining artificial intelligence, computer vision and other sensory technologies. Some notable developments in recent years include high-tech ocean robots that explore the world underneath the waves; bionic arms and legs that restore mobility to those who have lost limbs; and autonomous fighter jets that can operate without pilots.
Robots are becoming more human-like in cognitive ability and, in some cases, appearance. In warehouses and factories, at fast food joints and clothing retailers, they’re already working alongside humans. They’re also starting to perform functions that have typically been the domain of humans, such as making coffee, caring for the elderly and, crucially, ferrying toilet paper. Robots have even made their way into the agriculture and biomedical sectors, harvesting crops, treating diseases and performing other essential tasks.
But no matter which sector they serve, robots are far less advanced than many thought they’d be by now.
Humanoid Robots
Outside of a factory or warehouse setting, some say it’s advantageous for robots to look more like humans. That’s where humanoids come in.
Over at RightHand Robotics, Martinelli said the current focus is on wider customer adoption of robots that can solve specific problems in commercial settings. Even some very impressive and sensor-packed models that can run, jump and flip — including several from Boston Dynamics and Tesla’s Optimus — aren’t in that category. Not yet, anyway.
Boston Dynamics CEO Marc Raibert has said his long-term goal is to “build robots that have the functional levels of performance that are equal to or greater than people and animals. I don’t mean that they have to work the way that people and animals work, or that they have to look like them, just at the level of performance in terms of the ability to move around in the world, the ability to use our hands.”
But behind-the-scenes labor isn’t the only area where humanoid robots could make an impact. As Will Jackson, director at United Kingdom-based Engineered Arts, told BBC, “Humanoid robots are great for entertainment and they’re great for communication. If you want something that interacts with people, the best way to do that is make something person-shaped.”
Like this invention from Agility Robotics. Dubbed “Digit” and reportedly priced in the low-to-mid six figures, it’s intended for vehicle-to-door delivery of packages weighing 40 pounds or less. Digit has since been used on factory floors for companies like Amazon and GXO Logistics, but the technology is still far from perfect.
Robotaxis
Robotaxis represent one of the most advanced and visible applications of robotics today, promising to ease congestion, reduce carbon emissions and cut transportation costs. Using a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, LiDAR and AI, these vehicles are designed to navigate city streets and respond to unpredictable real-world conditions — all without a human driver. Companies like Waymo and Baidu have already launched pilot programs in select cities, and fully autonomous Tesla Model Ys and Models are expected to roll out in summer 2025, with a new “Cybercab” slated to launch in 2026.
The progress made so far is significant. Robotaxis are now completing thousands of trips in cities like San Fancisco and Phoenix, using a process called “sensor fusion” to interpret and respond to their surroundings in real time. While the technology is far from flawless, data from Waymo suggests that, under the right conditions, autonomous vehicles can reduce crash rates and respond faster than human drivers. And the industry is continuing to make improvements.
Looking ahead, the robotaxi market is expected to be worth $50 billion by 2032. However, widespread adoption hinges on overcoming several obstacles, including technological challenges, safety concerns, public skepticism and a constantly changing regulatory landscape. Still, experts believe it is only a matter of time before robotaxis are a normal part of urban existence.
Military Robots
Another fast-growing application of robotics is in military and defense operations, where autonomous machines support — and in some cases replace — human soldiers, handling things like logistics, surveillance and even combat. From mechanical guard dogs to drone swarms, this technology is already being deployed. And major advancements are underway to develop more capable, adaptable robots that can navigate complex environments, assess threats in real time and operate with minimal human input.
One of the most important developments in this space is lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), machines capable of selecting and engaging targets without direct human oversight. Militaries around the world are investing in the research and development of autonomous weapons, raising both possibilities and concerns: Some argue these systems could reduce risk to soldiers’ lives and respond faster than humans, while others say their various security and ethical concerns outweigh any benefits and they should be banned. Plus, the lack of any clear regulations or international standards around autonomous combat in general could lead to a lack of accountability and the potential for conflicts to escalate to dangerous levels.
Even so, Countries around the world are developing their own AI-powered military tech. For example, China has created an 11-ton mothership-style drone carrier that can launch up to 100 unmanned aerial vehicles simultaneously, while Russia’s 20-on S-70 Okhotnik-B stealth drone is reportedly being tested for semi-autonomous missions. Meanwhile, the United States is heavily focused on manned-unmanned teaming, where AI-powered jets like Anduril’s “Fury” operate alongside crewed aircraft.
Though most of these systems are still in development, they mark a clear shift toward AI-powered warfare — where robots aren’t just following simple orders, but coordinating and making decisions alongside humans.
Will Robots Steal Your Job?
Going forward, Hannaford said, robots will “free up people’s brains” to perform other, more complex tasks. But just as the industrial revolution displaced countless humans who performed manual labor, the robotics revolution won’t happen — and isn’t happening — “without pain and fear and disruption.”
“There’s going to be a lot of people who fall by the wayside,” he said of the countless jobs that will be automated or disappear entirely.
Almost 50 percent of workers who retain their roles through 2025 in the wake of automation will need some form of retraining. Those who do acquire the proper skills will be primed to fill one of the 97 million new roles technologies like robotics and AI are expected to create.
In a warehouse setting, for example, those who transition to other tasks that require “higher skills” such as thinking and complex movement are far less at risk of getting robo-bumped. And they will get bumped. Vince Martinelli, former head of product and marketing at RightHand Robotics, is confident that simple but prevalent jobs like warehouse order picking will largely be done by robots in 10 to 20 years. Right now, though, the technology just isn’t there.
But some experts say the more robots outperform humans, the more humans will be expected to keep up.
“As we start to compare the speed and efficiency of humans to robots, there is a whole new set of health and safety issues that emerge,” Beth Gutelius, associate director of the Center for Urban Economic Development at the University of Illinois–Chicago, told the New York Times.
That’s another argument for retraining. As authors Marcus Casey and Sarah Nzau noted in a Brookings Institution blog post:
“The development of technologies that facilitate new tasks, for which humans are better suited, could potentially lead to a much better future for workers. While the widespread introduction of computers into offices certainly displaced millions of secretaries and typists, the new tasks in associated industries meant new occupations, including computer technicians, software developers and IT consultants.”
Impact of AI and Robotics on Different Industries
Artificial intelligence and robotics have wide-reaching consequences for society, but the following industries have been especially impacted by these technologies.
Manufacturing
Robots along the assembly line produce goods with a quality and consistency unmatched by human workers. With the addition of AI, organizations can now rely on these machines to operate independently and even oversee their own predictive maintenance reporting. Human workers can then leave repetitive tasks to robots and focus on more complex business needs.
Healthcare
Besides social and care robots, the healthcare industry depends on medical robots equipped with AI to aid in surgeries, power exoskeletons and guide patients through physical therapy and recovery. AI-based robots can also help doctors make more accurate diagnoses, reducing the time it takes to deliver personalized treatment to patients.
Logistics
Warehouses and logistics organizations have employed AI and robotics for heavy-lifting work. Robots can move products around warehouses, stack shelves and perform other manual labor to relieve human workforces of physical wear and tear. Companies are even entrusting AI robots like drones to make short deliveries, bringing down wait times and delays.
Customer Service
Chatbots and virtual assistants have become commonplace for online customers, but AI and robotics are beginning to handle in-person customer interactions as well. Humanoid and non-humanoid robots conduct face-to-face conversations with customers, retrieving products, answering questions and performing other small tasks to make shoppers feel welcome.
Hospitality
Restaurants have come to rely on robots to help with cooking and cleaning needs in the kitchen, and robots can also deliver food to waiting customers. Within the retail space, AI-powered robots can compile insights on customer behaviors in stores to determine the best ways to arrange products and ensure a smoother shopping experience.
Travel
Hotels, resorts and other travel hubs are supporting travelers with AI-driven robots that act as concierges, front-desk help, butlers, guides and other essential personnel. Airports are also using security robots to enforce airline rules, such as detecting passengers with weapons or any illegal items not allowed on flights.
Aerospace
Robotics and artificial intelligence have come to the aid of astronauts, paving the way for space exploration in places like Mars. Space robots already have the capacity to venture into environments not suitable for humans. The addition of AI allows these machines to operate autonomously, making it easier for groups like NASA to sustain their space exploration efforts.
Energy
Similar to space exploration, the search for plentiful resources has led many companies in the energy sector to embrace AI and robotics. Robots can assist in mapping out the ocean floor and locating high concentrations of natural gas. On land, robots are also tasked with overseeing grid maintenance and fixing wind turbines and other structures.
Education
While robots can’t replace human teachers, they can supplement them in various ways. Leveraging AI, robots can lead one-on-one and small group sessions to help students gain a better grasp of the material. Robots with human features can encourage younger students to exercise and strengthen their social skills as well.
Lifestyle
Smart homes bring AI and robotics into the lives of consumers, simplifying chores with inventions like the robotic kitchen and the roomba vacuum. On a larger scale, smart cities are giving robots the responsibility of areas like waste management and pipe maintenance to keep public spaces healthy.
Significant Developments in Robotics Technology
Robots have evolved from industrial tools into sophisticated systems that interact with and learn from their environments. These are some of the most significant developments that have shaped the field's trajectory and set the stage for its future impact on society.
Tesla Unveils Working Optimus Prototype (September 2022)
At its AI Day event, Tesla showcased its first working prototypes of the humanoid robot, Optimus. While an initial announcement had been made the previous year, the 2022 demonstration marked the first time a prototype walked onstage without assistance, waved to the audience and demonstrated its ability to perform basic tasks like carrying boxes. This event signaled Tesla’s commitment to building a general-purpose, mass-producible humanoid robot, leveraging the company’s existing expertise in AI and autonomous systems.
Engineered Arts Unveils Ameca (December 2021)
British robotics company Engineered Arts unveiled its advanced humanoid robot, Ameca, through a viral video. Designed as a platform for human-robot interaction and future AI research, Ameca was noted for its incredibly realistic facial expressions and movements. The robot’s hardware is built on the company’s proprietary Mesmer technology, allowing for fluid and lifelike gestures, captivating a wide audience and highlighting the rapid progress in creating human-like androids.
Boston Dynamics Showcases Atlas Bipedal Capabilities (August 2021)
Boston Dynamics released a video demonstrating its humanoid robot, Atlas, performing complex parkour routines with remarkable agility and balance. The video showed two Atlas robots jumping, running and doing coordinated backflips, going far beyond previous demonstrations of bipedal locomotion. This event served as a high-profile showcase of the extraordinary progress in dynamic balance and control systems, solidifying Atlas as a leading example of cutting-edge robotic mobility.
Collaborative Robots Enter the Workforce (2012)
Companies like Universal Robots pioneered this collaborative robot field, creating smaller, more flexible robotic arms with advanced sensors that allow them to safely assist with tasks like assembly and packaging. This development has helped small- and medium-sized businesses adopt automation, as cobots are often less expensive and easier to integrate into existing workspaces, thereby increasing productivity and efficiency.
The iRobot Roomba Brings Robotics Into Homes (September 2002)
The launch of the Roomba in 2002 was a landmark moment for robotics, bringing a practical, autonomous robot into the consumer market for the first time. Created by iRobot, the Roomba is a vacuum cleaner designed to navigate and clean floors independently using sensors and simple algorithms. Its commercial success demonstrated that robots could serve a purpose in everyday home life, fundamentally shifting the public perception of robotics from industrial tools to personal helpers.
The Da Vinci Surgical System Transforms Medicine (July 2000)
In 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci Surgical System for general laparoscopic surgery. This marked a pivotal moment for robotics outside of industrial applications. The system allows surgeons to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures with a high degree of precision, control and dexterity through robotic arms. The adoption of the da Vinci system and similar technologies has significantly reduced patient recovery times and led to more accurate surgical outcomes, demonstrating the profound impact of robotics on healthcare.
Stanford Develops Intelligent Robot (1972)
Developed at the Stanford Research Institute, Shakey was a wheeled robot that is considered the first to combine mobility with artificial intelligence. Instead of just following pre-programmed commands, Shakey could perceive its surroundings, reason about them, and devise plans to accomplish tasks. Equipped with a camera, range finders and touch sensors, the robot would analyze its environment to move boxes and navigate rooms, laying the groundwork for future mobile robots and autonomous systems.
The First Industrial Robot Is Deployed (1961)
The Unimate, invented by George Devol and commercialized by Joseph Engelberger, became the world's first industrial robot to be installed on a factory floor. The first unit began its work at a General Motors plant in New Jersey, where its hydraulic arm was used to stack hot metal parts from a die-casting machine, a dangerous and repetitive task for humans. The Unimate’s deployment ushered in the era of automated manufacturing and established the first robotics company, Unimation, earning Engelberger the title of the "father of robotics." This foundational event laid the groundwork for the widespread use of robots in assembly lines and other hazardous environments.
What Does All This Mean for Humans?
The rise of AI and robotics is bound to forever alter society, generating both excitement and uncertainty.
Robotics and artificial intelligence can streamline everyday chores in the home, improve operations in workplaces and contribute to efforts to make cities and public spaces more sustainable. While robots may take on a greater role in society, they may also merely supplement the work that human professionals do. In this way, robots can serve as partners in building a more efficient and safer environment alongside humans.
At the same time, AI and robots present other problems that need to be resolved. There’s no doubt that some jobs will be lost to automation, and issues around data privacy and rapidly evolving technologies leave many people vulnerable.
Arguments for and against these technologies are valid, but they don’t change the fact that AI and robotics are here to stay. While it still remains to be seen whether these technologies will have a positive or negative impact on humanity, the one certainty is that humans must adjust to a world where robots and AI are a regular part of everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is AI changing robotics?
AI is enhancing many capabilities of robots, spurring advancements in automated machines, drone technology and the use of generative AI in robotics.
How will the future of robotics impact humans?
Robots contribute to a future where processes in homes, workplaces and public spaces become safer and more efficient. At the same time, job losses due to automation and security risks are major concerns tied to AI and robotics. The overall positive or negative effect of robotics on humans remains to be seen.
