Humanoid robots are catnip for the imagination. They dazzle at tech shows, mimicking our moves with eerie precision. I’m deeply impressed by the innovations powering robots that walk, talk, and gesture like us. They represent significant technological breakthroughs that herald exciting applications ahead. But here’s the truth: They’re the wrong tool for most industrial applications today, especially in some of the biggest markets, and in particular the $11 trillion supply chain. Several humanoid robot companies have recently rolled out offerings across everything from manufacturing to elder care. Venture capital firms are investing heavily in humanoid robots, yet actual adoption in the field is slow to nonexistent. I’m the founder and CEO of a multibillion-dollar company that was built by rejecting this one-sized-robot-fits-all-approach, choosing instead to build, orchestrate, and scale robots that are the best at what they do. That’s because I believe the next decade of robotics will be defined by specialized, purpose-built machines rather than ones that look like us. Machine systems provide better economics and operational efficiency than generalized humanoids, despite the latter’s impressive technological advances.

Full commentary : The robotics industry will move beyond one-sized-robot-fits-all-approach and develop highly specialized automation machines.