Applications

Android humanoids are and can be used in various real-world applications:

General-Purpose

General-purpose humanoid robots can perform a variety of tasks autonomously. They are useful because they typically can navigate independently in known spaces, handle their own re-charging needs, and interface with electronics, networks, software and accessories.

They may recognize people or objects, talk, translate, provide companionship, monitor environmental quality, respond to alarms, pick up supplies and perform other useful tasks.

Because these robots mimic human beings and even resemble people in appearance, humanoid robots and androids are able to interact socially, intellectually and emotional with people. This can be useful to the young and old alike, in such roles as elderly care, babysitters, tutors, entertainers and companions.

And for the disabled and blind, an intelligent robot companion will be indispensable.

Domestic androids are perhaps also not too far in the future – soon you’ll be able to get your own humanoid butler/nanny/maid to perform those mundane household chores for you! Even walk the dog and pick up behind it. 🙂

Hazardous Jobs

Humanoid robots will perform tasks where no human can safely go, such as dangerous explorations, both here on earth and in space.

NASA has already sent the first humanoid robot into space. It’s a 330-pound humanoid robot called Robonaut 2 (“R2”) that may eventually go to the moon. R2 is designed to help astronauts perform tedious and dangerous missions, including vacuum outside air filters, do space walks, flip switches, and go into dangerous toxic environments.

The day may perhaps also come where they will take over hazardous jobs such as in nuclear power plants.

Military and Law Enforcement

Military, security and law enforcement applications for robots that look and act like humans are plentiful and research and development in this are continues.

If we can remove human soldiers, fireman and police officers (almost) completely from harm’s way it would be a great achievement.

Agriculture

Imagine old McDonald replacing his hired help and many of his equipment with a humanoid robot that will work tirelessly 365 days a year! Production will increase dramatically.

Construction and Manufacture

Humanoid robots will take over many of the most hazardous and mundane jobs in manufacturing and construction.

Anthropomorphic robots with hands like humans will be used for factory jobs.

Education

Ever get that feeling your kids aren’t paying attention to what you’re trying to teach them? Well, maybe they’ll listen better to their robot teacher!

And instead of having several different human teachers for different subjects, one humanoid robot (that never gets tired or asks for a pay rise) could master and teach all those disciplines, and more …

Sports

RoboGames is the world’s largest open robot competition, in which competitors from all over the world compete in over fifty different events, including combat robots, walking humanoids, soccer bots, sumo bots, and more.

And RoboCup is an international robotics competition that aims to develop autonomous soccer robots with the intention of promoting research and education in the field of artificial intelligence, but also with this in mind:

By mid-21st century, a team of fully autonomous humanoid robot soccer players shall win the soccer game, complying with the official rule of the FIFA, against the winner of the most recent World Cup. [Source]

So, humanoid robots are already competing in sports against each other, but there will be a time soon, when they will play and compete against human competitors.

Medical

Humanoid robots can be used for medical research and training. Better to practice your surgery skills on a human-like machine, than make a deadly or costly slip up with a real patient.

Androids that mimic the human body are also ideal in medical education.

Humanoid nurses will take care of patients and routine tasks.

And since robots can perform more accurate and precise actions, they will also be ideal to perform very delicate surgery.

Research

We can use humanoid robots for two research purposes:

1. By studying them, their movements, functions, reactions, etc. for the benefit of human science;
2. By utilizing them as research subject in the place of, or in conjunction with, research on humans.

Entertainment

Robots that act and perform like humans are already a reality.

Humanoid robots can and will be used in the place of human actors and entertainers. They will never be late or sick, or make excessive demands on the director (did someone say, “goodbye diva”!) … and they’ll be cheaper.

These robotic actors and stage performers will also give consistently good performances, day after day.

Pleasure

Humanoid robots are perfect for toys, both for children and grownups, alike.

Can you imagine, as a kid, having your own android to play with? A permanent play-friend that never gets tired of you, never fights or argues with you, and one that knows and can do a ton of cool stuff. 🙂

On the other hand, the porn and sex industries are already eying and planning for humanoid robots. These will perhaps be the “perfect” sex objects that man has always longed for!

[Source]