Emerging technologies—including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Robotics, among others—have consistently shown improvements in the lives of millions worldwide and even resulted in disruptions in various industries. For instance, the use of augmented reality and artificial intelligence in the retail sector has revolutionized the use of fitting rooms and data collection and management.
Interestingly, Tesla—a US-based company focused in developing electric vehicles—has taken a step in putting into life these types of technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. During its Annual Tesla Artificial Intelligence Day in September 2022, Elon Musk presented its rendition of a human robot, named Optimus. Optimus can perform simple tasks such as watering plants, carrying boxes, and metal bars, as can be seen in this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suv8ex8xlZA
Elon Musk admits that Optimus needs to undergo a lot of improvements, specifically improving its physical appearance to achieve a slicker design and developing its movements. But, Elon Musk expects that this prototype will provide more value-adding tasks, including picking up groceries or even working in his factory.
With Optimus, I think an advantage of this invention in the workplace is that this will allow humans to focus more on critical roles, such as performing analysis and establishing team relationships as humanoid robots can only do tasks that are very mechanical and routinary. In addition, Optimus can revolutionize and improve efficiency in the production side of the business.
On the other hand, the disadvantage of this invention affects those people who have been working on these types of mechanical and routinary tasks. We can expect that through the development of these humanoid robots, there can be layoffs in some parts of the business.
How about you? What do you think are the implications of these humanoid robots in the workplace or even at home?
Sources:
(a) https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63100636
(b) https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/30/elon-musk-shows-off-humanoid-robot-prototype-at-tesla-ai-day.html
(c) https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/elon-musks-new-humanoid-robot-might-one-day-buy-your-groceries-180980884/
