Robots at Home: Futuristic Dream or Distant Reality?

The relationship between robots and humans is a recurring theme in science fiction, but how realistic are those visions? From early literary works to current technologies, humanoid robots have evolved from a fantasy to a constantly advancing technical possibility. Authors like Isaac Asimov, along with series like The Jetsons or films like Star Wars, depicted futures where robots lived alongside humans, taking on roles ranging from domestic assistants to intergalactic soldiers. However, reality has been much more modest. The first robots did not quite live up to the expectations that science fiction had planted.

In their early industrial uses, robots were simple tools. Robotic arms in car factories and machines on assembly lines were impressive, but far from the sophisticated humanoids many had imagined. These machines operated under pre-programmed algorithms, with no ability to make autonomous decisions. While impressive, they lacked the versatility and impact of science fiction robots, leading to collective disappointment.

Despite this practical focus, the dream of humanoid robots has not disappeared. Expectations that these robots might one day coexist with us persist, though some predictions have been too optimistic or even fantastical. For example, some suggested that by 2025, humans would be having intimate relationships with robots. The Russian series Better Than Us explored this idea by showing robots that not only lived with humans but sometimes appeared more empathetic and "human" than people themselves. However, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine caused the series to be removed from many streaming platforms, limiting its impact.

Elon Musk has tried to bring part of that dream to life with the introduction of Optimus, a humanoid robot designed to perform household tasks. However, the presentation was not as impressive as expected. Although the marketing was ambitious, the videos showed that Optimus still relies on a human controlling it behind the scenes, like the mythical Wizard of Oz. The robot continues to mimic human movements but still lacks true autonomy, though Musk would have us believe otherwise.

The idea of having robots in our homes sounds tempting, but we are far from making it a reality. Optimus remains a prototype, unable to perform basic tasks without human intervention. While the vision of a domestic robot is attractive, the technology behind these developments is still in a very early phase, far from the independence that Asimov's works or science fiction films led us to imagine.

Elon Musk, like Steve Jobs did with computers, dreams of placing a robot in every home. But unlike the rapid advancement of computers, the progress of humanoid robots is slower. The technical barriers, such as the complexity of artificial intelligence needed to make autonomous decisions in an unpredictable environment like a house, are immense. Additionally, robots must not only move like humans; they must process sensory data, understand commands, and adapt to changing situations.

Ethical issues also arise. What will it really mean to have a robot that takes on traditionally human tasks? What will happen when robots start replacing caregivers or domestic workers? Films like Bicentennial Man tackled this dilemma, showing a future where robots sought recognition as humans. While we are far from that reality, the ethical questions about robots' rights and responsibilities are already on the table.

From a technical perspective, current robots, including the most advanced ones like Optimus, are not ready to handle the ambiguity of the real world. Unlike the robots in Star Wars, which react quickly in combat situations, today's robots require controlled environments to function well. In a kitchen, for example, a robot would need to handle objects of various textures, sizes, and temperatures, something still beyond its reach.

Are we close to living with humanoid robots? Advances in artificial intelligence and robotics suggest it’s possible, but not in the near future. Expectations inflated by science fiction have made us believe that the integration of robots into our lives is imminent, but the path is much longer than we imagined. For now, reality is not as exciting as fiction.

Optimus represents the technological optimism of figures like Musk, who dream of a future where robots not only clean our houses but also care for our elderly and play with our children. But for now, this remains a distant vision that will require more time, research, and development. The question is not if humanoid robots will live with us, because they will, but when and under what conditions.