One billion humanoid robots
5/7/202627 min
Tech companies are betting big on robots that look like humans and do human jobs. Why, robot? This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. An Optimus humanoid robot showcased at a Tesla booth. Photo: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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First 90 secondsSean Rameswaram· Host0:00
Humanoid robots, robots for short, have been everywhere lately, and I'm not talking about, you know, the robot that mows your lawn or vacuums your living room. I'm talking about those ones that walk, talk, and look like they could kill you. [upbeat music] They're running half-marathons in Beijing.
Speaker 10:17
It starts like any other race, but this one is different.
Speaker 20:21
The robot came in a whole six minutes faster than the human record previously held.
Sean Rameswaram· Host0:25
They're giving prostate exams in the new Jackass movie.
James Vincent· Guest0:28
Let's let it rip, baby.
Sean Rameswaram· Host0:30
And they're now the top priority over at Tesla.
Elon Musk· Soundbite0:33
As you've heard me say a few times, I think Optimus will be our biggest product. N- not just Tesla's biggest product ever, but probably the biggest product ever.
Sean Rameswaram· Host0:43
Humanoid robots are being hyped as the future of everything from household chores to elder care to, who knows, maybe even war. So on today's Explained from Vox, we're gonna try and suss out all the hype and sort out our robot reality.
Speaker 50:58
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