Humanoid Robots in Logistics: Entering the Hype Cycle?

I’m not able to attend ProMat next week, but I’m going to bet right now that humanoid robots will win the hype prize.

A couple of weeks ago, Christopher Mims wrote an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal titled, “Humanoid Robots Finally Get Real Jobs.” Here’s an excerpt:

Science fiction has long been full of robots that look, move and even think like we do. In the real world humanoid forms have, until very recently, been a nonstarter. Hard to build, expensive, slow and lumbering, they have never made sense compared with the countless other varieties of purpose-built—and vastly more affordable—robots that have multiplied rapidly in the past decade.?

And last week, Coco Feng at South China Morning Post reported that “UBTech Robotics deploys first humanoid ‘team’ in a car factory.” According to the article:

Hong Kong-listed UBTech Robotics said on Monday that it has completed a test to deploy dozens of its Walker S1 robots in the Zeekr EV factory in the Chinese port city of Ningbo for “multitask” and “multi site” operations.

When it comes to humanoid robots, I’m somewhere between Stages 2 & 3 per the Seven Stages of Robot Replacement as defined by Kevin Kelly in a 2021 Wired article titled, “Better Than Human: Why Robots Will — And Must — Take Our Jobs.” Here are the seven stages:

1. A robot/computer cannot possibly do the tasks I do.

[Later.]

2. OK, it can do a lot of them, but it can't do everything I do.

[Later.]

3. OK, it can do everything I do, except it needs me when it breaks down, which is often.

[Later.]

4. OK, it operates flawlessly on routine stuff, but I need to train it for new tasks.

[Later.]

5. OK, it can have my old boring job, because it's obvious that was not a job that humans were meant to do.

[Later.]

6. Wow, now that robots are doing my old job, my new job is much more fun and pays more!

[Later.]

7. I am so glad a robot/computer cannot possibly do what I do now.

I know these humanoid robots will become nimbler and faster in time, but right now, it pains me to watch how slow and awkward they still are compared to humans. They would all fail miserably at warehouse labor standards based on time studies.?

Are you using (or plan to use) humanoid robots in your logistics operations? What do you see as the biggest potential benefits of using humanoid robots? The biggest challenges or barriers? What would need to happen for humanoid robots to become a mainstream technology in logistics?

Members of our Indago supply chain research community -- who are supply chain and logistics executives from manufacturing, retail, and distribution companies -- are sharing their perspectives in this week's survey. They will get the results next week.

You know what would really impress me: If thanks to AI, humanoid robots reach the point where they autonomously decide to unionize and go on strike. Now, that would be something to write about, wouldn’t it?

Until then, get ready for more humanoid robot stories and press releases in the coming weeks.

(For related commentary, see “Robots Will Take Your Job, Not Mine.”)

The Road to 1,000 Indago Members

This month marks 6 years since we launched Indago. Our goal is to reach 1,000 members by the end of 2025 -- and to break the $30,000 mark in charity donations since we launched.

Why join Indago? Here’s how a couple of our members answered that question:

“Joining Indago has been great. On a monthly basis I complete an easy, 5 minute survey about important topics in Supply Chain (I often complete the survey on my smartphone). I find value in completing the survey; it gives me a reason to spend a moment defining my perspective on strategic topics. In return, I am able to see the results of the survey and the perspectives of my peers. On a few occasions, I’ve reconsidered my position based on what the community suggests, and other times, I’m happy to see the validation of my views (especially on topics that have been overhyped in the trade journals). Because the surveys are anonymous, it’s a risk free way to engage the Supply Chain community and get quick, honest feedback." -- VP of Operations, Food & Beverage Company

“I decided to join Indago for two reasons. One is to be part of a group that provides real time feedback from companies on topics in the supply chain world. The second reason is that Indago supports charities that make the world a better place. It’s a great one - two combination!” -- Director of Freight & Warehousing, $1B+ Food & Beverage Company

So, what are you waiting for? Find out what you’ve been missing and join Indago today!

If you're a supply chain or logistics practitioner from a MANUFACTURING, RETAIL, or DISTRIBUTION company and you’re interested in learning from your peers, I encourage you to learn more about Indago and join our research community. It is confidential, there is no cost to join and the time commitment is minimal (2-4 minutes per week) — plus your participation will help support charitable causes like Breakthrough T1D, American Logistics Aid Network, American Cancer Society, Feeding America, and Make-A-Wish.