Before investing in robot butlers, listen to what developers of humanoid robots acknowledge.

      Startup leaders assert that current humanoid robots are suitable only for specific warehouse tasks and not for domestic assistance.

      Humanoid robot startups are attracting significant investment, and the familiar sales narrative suggests that human-like machines will soon infiltrate warehouses and factories, ultimately making their way into our homes. However, the Wall Street Journal reveals a more cautious perspective within the industry, where even the developers of these robots acknowledge that hopes may have outpaced practical capabilities.

      Executives and engineers contend that today’s humanoids are still too inconsistent for the complex, varied tasks envisioned for home use, despite being able to manage simpler jobs in regulated environments. The aim is not merely to create a humanoid but to develop one that performs meaningful work. Agility Robotics has deployed hundreds of Digit robots to clients like Amazon and auto parts supplier Schaeffler, where they facilitate item movement in warehouses.

      The scope of useful work remains limited

      This limitation was evident at the Humanoids Summit in Mountain View, where entrepreneurs attempted to temper their messaging. Humanoids are still not well-defined products, representing a grand idea that emerged before the market and the technology were adequately prepared.

      Nevertheless, some companies are finding initial success. Weave’s laundry-folding robots are currently operational in several San Francisco laundromats, and Persona AI is constructing a welding robot for a shipbuilding client.

      Safety expenses outweigh hardware costs

      The primary reason companies hesitate to deploy robots is the installation costs. The report suggests that for every $100 spent on deployment today, approximately $20 covers the robot itself, while the remaining amount is spent on equipment and systems aimed at ensuring human safety.

      Humanoids could reduce some safety measures due to their smaller and slower design compared to traditional heavy industrial arms. The report references Tesla’s Optimus, which stands around 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 125 pounds, and Unitree’s G1, measuring around 4 feet and weighing 77 pounds. However, the transition from demonstration videos to a functional home machine remains a significant challenge.

      The home robot is still a future prospect

      Public projections remain optimistic, with Elon Musk forecasting "insatiable" demand and aiming for one million Optimus robots produced annually by 2030.

      Consultants also highlight obstacles such as training data limitations, with teams utilizing VR headsets and 3D models to accelerate the training process. For the time being, the most encouraging indicators are routine deployments with actual customers, characterized by clear task definitions and transparent installation costs.

      Paulo Vargas is an English major who has transitioned from reporting to technical writing, maintaining a career that has continued to converge…

      NotebookLM may soon convert your study notes into classroom lectures

      Transforming study notes into audio content

      Google’s NotebookLM is testing a feature designed to enhance studying, making it more akin to attending an actual class. A new Lecture mode can convert your uploaded notes, documents, and resources into extended spoken lectures (via Testing Catalog).

      This functionality allows NotebookLM to present the material audibly rather than merely summarizing it on the screen. Unlike the shorter Audio Overviews users are already familiar with, this new mode aims to deliver a continuous lecture presented by a single AI narrator.

      Gemini could soon manage tasks in the background without interrupting your workflow

      You may finally be able to switch applications without starting anew

      Currently, employing the Gemini overlay on Android presents a significant limitation that disrupts multitasking. When you activate Gemini using the hotword or by long-pressing the power button, it overlaps the app you are using.

      However, despite its appearance as an overlay, it does not function as one. As soon as you tap the background to return to another app, Gemini closes entirely. When you reactivate it, the previous conversation is lost, forcing you to restart, which can be frustrating during extended or slower tasks.

      Four remarkable robot demonstrations from 2025, alongside one notable failure

      It has been an eventful year for humanoid robots!

      This year has seen numerous innovative humanoid robot designs emerge, with these selections focusing more on physical capabilities than AI intelligence, which is anticipated to advance significantly next year.

      H1 by Unitree