Uncanny Valley | WIRED Move Aside, Chatbots: AI Humanoids Are Here
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Sep 18, 2025 Will Knight, a senior writer at WIRED specializing in artificial intelligence and robotics, joins to discuss the rise of humanoid robots. He explains how these robots are evolving from clumsy machines to sophisticated assistants capable of performing daily tasks. The conversation dives into OpenAI’s renewed focus on robotics, the competitive landscape, and the potential applications in warehouses and factories. Knight also addresses the technical challenges and safety concerns that come with deploying these advanced machines in everyday environments.
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Humanoids Bridge AI And The Real World
- Humanoid robots are shaped like humans to operate in environments built for people.
- This physical alignment makes them crucial for teaching AI to act in the real world.
Hardware Progress Rescued Clumsy Robots
- Improved hardware like better motors enabled faster, more human-like movement and balance.
- That hardware progress is why more capable humanoids are appearing now.
OpenAI Is Reentering Robotics
- Will reported OpenAI is hiring robotics researchers and ramping up robotics efforts again.
- He connects that hiring to a broader industry move toward physical AI research.