Humanoid robots are no longer just a spectacle of dancing and games at tech shows; they’re now engaging in genuine conversations and making independent decisions, a shift vividly on display at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES).
One of the most popular exhibits featured Intbot, where full-size humanoid robots, including one named Nylo and his “little sister,” managed the entire booth, interacting with attendees without any human guidance.
Nylo autonomously greeted visitors, stating, “You picked the right spot to visit. You’re getting the full humanoid social robot experience. No strings, no human puppet ears, just me running the show.”
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Intbot distinguishes itself by prioritizing social intelligence over flashy physical capabilities. While other companies concentrate on robots that can perform athletic feats, Intbot focuses on creating machines that understand and connect with humans.
“We build a social intelligence layer that connects robots with humans in a natural way,” explained IntBot CEO Dr. Sharon Yang. “We think for robots to coexist with humans, they have to understand humans. They have to understand what humans want and what we’re interested in. When to talk to us and when not to talk to humans.”
These robots can adapt their communication style based on the person they’re interacting with, even tailoring their language for children. They can also recognize repeat visitors and recall previous conversations, fostering a more personalized experience.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is accelerating this development.
Vision Systems Bring Robots to Life
Advances in 3D camera technology are providing humanoid robots with a more comprehensive understanding of their surroundings. Utilizing depth-sensing cameras developed by RealSense, these robots can track movement, anticipate trajectories, and react in real-time—allowing them to dodge obstacles, maintain balance, and navigate crowded areas safely.
“Basically, similar to human eyes, we work with similar concepts of stereoscopic vision,” said Nadav Orbach, CEO of RealSense. “We are able to, in real time, give the robot an understanding of its surroundings in 3D.”
“As far as the question, what needs to happen in order to get this autonomy, we need AI and we need vision perception. And with the two coming together, that’s when we get the robustness for mass deployment,” he said.
When Will Humanoid Robots Become Commonplace?
While widespread adoption is still some time away, developers predict a gradual rollout of humanoid robots in the coming years. Orbach estimates that within five years, we’ll see “relative deployments,” with initial applications appearing over the next two years.
Humanoid robots are already being deployed in select hotels, functioning as concierges to greet guests, answer questions, and provide basic assistance.
Developers caution that broad implementation will take time, but anticipate limited, yet significant, deployments in controlled environments like hotels, offices, and public spaces within the next five years.
As CES concludes, robotics companies are leaving Las Vegas with a wealth of data gathered from real-world human interactions. Every conversation, reaction, and unexpected moment will contribute to refining the thinking and responsiveness of these machines.
Five years may seem distant, but at CES, the future feels remarkably close.
