This week, we continue our exploration of robotics in forestry. However, this time we're diving into something that seems more like science fiction than anything we've covered before: humanoid robots – machines designed to look and move like humans.
As Rasmus explains: "If we could choose freely, everyone would build a humanoid robot capable of doing everything a human can. Then we could get rid of those troublesome humans."
Current state-of-the-art
When it comes to advanced humanoid robotics, two projects stand head and shoulders above the rest: Tesla's Optimus project and Boston Dynamics' Atlas and Spot.
Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot, in particular, has gotten a lot of attention. Rasmus describes the latest version: "It looks like a human lying flat on the floor with all its joints and such. And then you should see how it gets up. It's uncanny. I can't even do that myself."
Watch the video Rasmus talks about here:
You've likely seen other Boston Dynamics videos showing robots doing parkour, or their 'dogs', like Spot, dancing, navigating obstacle courses, or opening doors.
Do they belong in forestry?
While these videos make for impressive marketing material for these large American companies – do these robots actually have a place in our forests?
Neither Jens nor Rasmus is entirely sceptical about the potential. Jens notes: "Looking at Spot's legs and its agility, it shows real promise compared to wheels or tracks and the weight issues that comes with it."
Rasmus adds: "The advantage of legged robots is their ability to navigate complex environments much more easily. That's why Spot can climb stairs. No wheeled robot can do that."
The potential is undeniable, but as we've covered in our previous articles, there are significant challenges to overcome.
Problems and limits
When it comes to humanoid robots we have one big problem. The cost. A basic Spot robot costs $ 100.000.
Then there's maintenance. These robots haven't been tested much in real places, especially not in forests. How long will they last? Who can fix them when they break?
Finally, we don't know how well they work in real life. We need to test them for many years before we know.
Is this the future we want?
We often talk about balancing forest work with people enjoying nature. Think about walking your dog in the forest. You have tea in your thermos, you're out with your family on a nice Sunday - and suddenly a yellow robot runs past you.
We don't have a clear answer about whether this is good or bad - but we need to think about it soon. Is that the future we want?
These robots might seem impossible now, but the future can surprise us. As Jens says: "That's what's great about the future. No one knows what will happen."
In our next episodes, we'll talk about simpler things, like sensors in forests.
Want to learn more about these robots? Visit these websites:
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