Part 5/7:
What Can Robots Actually Do?
Although the vision for humanoid robots often resembles sci-fi fantasies where machines carry out nearly all tasks humans do, early robots will be limited. While they might excel in certain industrial applications, they may lag behind in domestic chores. Early humanoid robots cannot lift heavy loads and will take time to learn the nuances of their environment, making them initially dependent on human oversight.
Diverse tasks such as house cleaning, cooking, and grocery shopping have been pinpointed for robot capabilities, with full effectiveness expected to arrive gradually in the next 5 to 15 years. Early roles will likely focus on routine, repetitive tasks rather than complex or emotionally intensive activities, such as child care.