Humanoid robots are rapidly moving from science fiction into reality, powered by breakthroughs in robotics, AI, and artificial intelligence.

In this episode of Untangling Web3, Professor Peter Corke, one of the world’s leading robotics experts, breaks down what robots really are, how they’ve evolved from factory arms to human-like machines, and how close we are to truly intelligent, autonomous humanoids.

From perception systems powered by AI to the economic and ethical implications of automation, this episode offers a grounded, technical, and deeply insightful look at the future of robotics.

Key highlights:

What Actually Defines a “Real” Robot: A robot is not just a machine that moves—it is a system built around three core components: perception, planning, and actuation. Perception enables robots to understand their environment using sensors like cameras and lidar, increasingly powered by AI and deep learning. Planning determines how a robot achieves a goal, breaking complex tasks into actionable steps in real time. Actuation executes those plans through motors and physical movement. These three components operate continuously in a loop, often hundreds or thousands of times per second, enabling autonomy.
Why Humanoid Robots Exist in Human Form: Humanoid robots are designed to resemble humans not just for aesthetic reasons, but for practical and economic ones. The entire physical world, from tools, buildings, and infrastructure, has been designed for the human body. A robot with two arms, two legs, and human-like dexterity can immediately operate within this environment without requiring redesign.
The Challenge of Trust, Safety, and Physical AI When AI operates in the digital world, errors are often harmless. In robotics, mistakes can have real-world consequences—damage, injury, or worse. This raises critical challenges around reliability, verification, and safety. Ensuring that robots behave predictably and safely in dynamic environments remains one of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption.

Humanoid robots represent the convergence of robotics, AI, and artificial intelligence into systems that can perceive, reason, and act in the physical world. While the technology is advancing rapidly, significant challenges remain in reliability, safety, and societal impact.

The future of robotics will not be defined by a single breakthrough, but by the integration of multiple disciplines, from deep learning to neuroscience. As machines become more capable, the key question is no longer just what robots can do, but how humanity chooses to integrate them into society.

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Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at theuntanglingweb3podcast@gmail.com.

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The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

#127 Untangling: Humanoid Robots w/ Peter Corke