Hans Peter Brondmo, the former head of Google’s ambitious robotics project, Everyday Robots, believes that AI robots should not resemble humans. As tech giants like Tesla move towards developing humanoid robots, Brondmo offers a different perspective, emphasising the need for practicality over appearance. Reflecting on his seven years at Google’s innovation lab X (formerly Google X), Brondmo explains why creating robots that assist humans in daily tasks is a complex and lengthy process that may take far longer than anticipated.
In an insightful piece, Brondmo shared the challenges and lessons he learned from leading Everyday Robots. The project, backed by Google co-founder Larry Page, aimed to build AI-powered robots that could independently perform tasks by learning from their environments. Page envisioned a future where robots could adapt and complete tasks with minimal guidance, a vision that proved to be more difficult than expected.
According to Brondmo, while AI systems have made significant strides in processing large datasets, the challenge lies in teaching robots to operate in unpredictable, real-world environments. He explained that robots need more data to understand and respond effectively to various scenarios. “It may take many thousands, maybe even millions of robots,” Brondmo said, “collecting data in diverse settings before we reach a point where AI models can perform tasks beyond narrow, well-defined roles.”
Brondmo’s motivation for creating AI robots was deeply connected to his family. His mother, who had advanced Parkinson’s disease, inspired him to envision a world where robots could assist individuals with physical limitations, making a meaningful impact on their quality of life.
Despite the eventual closure of the Everyday Robots project in 2023, Brondmo remains optimistic about the future of robotics. However, he expressed concern over Silicon Valley’s focus on quick fixes, stating that this mindset could hinder progress in the field. He also highlighted the reluctance to invest in hardware, a critical factor in long-term robotic development, as a significant obstacle. “I worry that investors may not have the patience to support the development of competent robots,” he added.
Brondmo is also critical of the current trend toward humanoid robots, such as those being developed by Tesla. He argues that designing robots to mimic human appearance is unnecessary and potentially misguided. Instead, he advocates for focusing on functionality and practicality, emphasising that robots should be built to assist humans in everyday life effectively. Brondmo believes that by moving away from the fixation on human-like robots and instead prioritising utility, we can unlock the true potential of AI and robotics.
