Humanoid robots predicted to outpopulate humans in near future
Figure AI founder Brett Adcock has predicted that there will soon be as many humanoid robots as humans on the planet.
Adcock made the bleak dystopian forecast during a recent appearance on the technology podcast, Around the Prompt. In it, he claimed that “the home is like single-digit years away” from being inhabited by humanoids who can assist with “useful work“.
He attributes this technological advancement to the progression in hardware development over the last decade, noting, “You can’t get this done on mediocre hardware”. Humanoids are powered by neural networks designed to replicate the human brain, and companies like Figure AI are getting closer to achieving their end goal.
Figure AI’s humanoid, Helix, is yet to hit the market and remains in the developmental stage. Similarly, Tesla are also in the process of making their humanoid, Optimus, which will cost around $30,000 for consumers.
In the same podcast episode, Adcock provided an update on Helix, revealing they recently managed to get it up to speed to provide an hour of “uninterrupted logistics work” managing packages on a conveyor belt. He claimed it is now “approaching human speed and performance”.
Figure’s aim is to “develop general-purpose humanoids that make a positive impact on humanity and create a better life for future generations” which they hope will “eliminate the need for unsafe and undesirable jobs — ultimately allowing us to live happier, more purposeful lives.”
If they are successful in this mission, Adcock says, “You’ll see as many humanoid robots as you see humans” and believes the world is “literally going to feel like a sci-fi movie”.
Adcock’s frightening remarks, which signal a future where humans are redundant, are supported by Morgan Stanley Research. They recently estimated that the market for humanoids will be worth $5tn by 2050, and by this time, it’s possible the world will be home to more than a billion humanoids.
Although the idea of humanoids outpopulating humans and replacing us at work is a strong reason to be fearful, seemingly, there are some professions that are safe. Last month, four teams consisting of three AI-powered humanoid robots faced off in a football tournament in Beijing and were absolutely hopeless at even the most basic tasks, such as kicking the ball or staying on their feet.