Unscarcity Notes

Humanoid Robots

Humanoid Robots Humanoid robots are general-purpose machines with human-like form factors capable of performing most physical tasks currently done by people. In the book's timeline, mass-produced...

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Humanoid Robots

Humanoid robots are general-purpose machines with human-like form factors capable of performing most physical tasks currently done by people. In the book’s timeline, mass-produced humanoids plus AGI precipitate the Labor Cliff by outcompeting human labor across logistics, care work, construction, and manufacturing.

Their deployment supports the Foundation–automated construction, maintenance, and distribution–while raising ethical and labor-transition questions. Civic Service ensures humans can step in when robots fail; Merit and Civic Standing decouple dignity from employment to avoid zero-sum competition with machines.

Current industry trajectories (Tesla Optimus, Figure AI) suggest rapid cost declines and capability gains. Safety, labor displacement, and regulatory standards (ISO 13482) remain active concerns that must be addressed alongside deployment.

References

  • UnscarcityBook, chapter1 and chapter6
  • IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine, “Humanoid Robotics” (2020)
  • ISO 13482:2014 Personal care robots
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