"Every few weeks, it seems, a certain type of video will make the rounds on the internet. Promoted by one of a number of robotics firms, it features a humanoid-a robot designed to resemble a human-performing impressive feats otherwise thought to be unique to our species. The robot might be watering plants, say, or loading a dishwasher, with an uncanny precision that inspires equal parts wonder and terror."
"Matthew Sherrill: Reporting on humanoids involves a number of relatively unique challenges. You mention in the article that in the decade you've spent reporting on the tech industry, executives have grown increasingly cagey, or even antagonistic, toward journalists. This seems particularly true of the robotics industry. Can you talk about the difficulties you encountered persuading robotics firms to speak with you-let alone grant you access to their robots?"
Humanoid robots are frequently presented in viral videos performing humanlike tasks with uncanny precision, generating both awe and fear. Publicity around these robots includes footage of Chinese bots running half marathons, muscled humanoids twitching on gantries, and robot fight clubs. Robotics firms often tightly control access to machines and curate demonstrations for marketing impact. Limited hardware availability and scheduling make real-world access scarce. Some demonstrations prioritize spectacle over reproducible performance, and tactical secrecy aims to avoid leaks or unfavorable scrutiny. Substantial funding fuels rapid development, but practical, reliable humanoid capabilities remain incremental rather than transformative. Safety and transparency concerns persist.
Read at Harper's Magazine
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