Forget Robot Factory Workers - The First Humanoids You Meet Could Be Receptionists
Humanoid Robots May Reach Service Desks Before Factory Floors, Realbotix CEO Says
Humanoid robots could first become familiar to the public in reception areas, hotels and restaurants rather than on factory floors, according to Andrew Kiguel, chief executive of AI-powered humanoid robotics company Realbotix.
Kiguel argues that the robotics sector’s focus on warehouse and manufacturing work may overlook nearer-term uses in service roles where conversation, personality and customer interaction are central to the job.
Companies developing humanoid robots have invested heavily in machines designed to lift goods, assemble products and perform other physical tasks. Those applications require robots to operate safely and reliably in complex physical environments, often involving substantial strength, mobility and dexterity.
Kiguel’s view is that improving conversational AI could make customer-facing roles—including receptionists, hotel concierges and restaurant servers—a significant opportunity for humanoid systems. In those settings, the ability to communicate with visitors and provide information may be more important than advanced physical capabilities.
Realbotix is positioning humanoid robots for interaction-driven applications as the industry considers where such machines could be deployed first on a regular basis.