Understanding the Importance and Challenges of Animatronic Humanoid Prototypes Production in the Robotic Field in the United of States of America: Policy Implications

Abstract

This study analyzes the importance and challenges of animatronic humanoid prototypes production within the robotic field in the United States of America to influence Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy. In fact, animatronic humanoid prototype has greatly inspired more designers and developers’ interest in the study of human and robot interaction in both scientists and enthusiast alike to aid in robotic production. The study adopted a narrative literature review and Boolean search technique to identify 22 researches and review articles that are related to applications, challenges and importance of animatronic humanoid robotics production and applications. As part of the findings for the study utilized for the article, many scholars made specific inferences to the robotic applications in firms, businesses, and nations. Out of the twenty-two articles, five of the researchers, thus 22%, underscored and also perceived that robots and machines with biped locomotion is one of the achievements of humanoid robotic production. Researchers of 4 articles—thus 18% -- explicitly stated in their research that one of the achievements of humanoid robotic production is “learning capabilities in robots”. The study further revealed that some of the evidenced-based research applications for humanoid robotic products include the following: Mitsuo Kawato of ATR Japan proposed using humanoid robots to study human behavior; In Europe- EU-funded projects, which include the large-scale NEUROBOTICS project; RobotCub project; Human Brain Project; Atlas humanoid robot by Boston Dynamics; and Wisdom of the robot Sophia in engaging in conversations, etc. Above all, this study revealed that complex environment, perception, human robot interaction, and collaboration in real life are some of the challenges identified in the literature. Therefore, in order to overcome such challenges—for the body of a robot, designers need to rethink the materials that robots are made of and leverage morphological computation to intrinsically balance and compensate for motion and dynamic behavior. Also, investors, policymakers, and public officials should invest more in innovative robotic production in order to promote businesses, bring about efficiency in operations, and to increase productivity.

Keywords:Humanoid, Locomotion, Robots, Prototypes, Production, Animatronic, Boolean-Search, Jobs, Artificial Intelligence

DOI: 10.7176/ISDE/13-1-02

Publication date:March 31^st 2023