Rodney Brooks, a distinguished professor at MIT and co-founder of iRobot, issues a cautionary note to investors, warning that heavily investing in full-sized, bipedal humanoid robot startups could mirror the pitfalls experienced during the generative AI bubble. Presently, the sector is grappling with three significant bottlenecks: a scarcity of tactile big data, unresolved safety challenges, and energy inefficiency. These factors collectively hinder large-scale production and risk ensnaring investors in an expensive cycle of trial and error.

Brooks elaborates that tactile data currently lacks a substantial database to support development. Additionally, he highlights the exponential increase in kinetic energy when a humanoid robot falls, noting that it rises cubically with height, thus posing severe safety risks. Looking ahead, he forecasts that within the next 15 years, humanoid robots may evolve to incorporate wheels, multiple robotic arms, and specialized sensors to enhance functionality and safety.

Despite these challenges, investment in the field continues to surge. However, Brooks is not entirely pessimistic about the robotics industry's prospects. Instead, he urges investors to differentiate between scientific exploration and commercial feasibility. He advises them to redirect their focus toward more lucrative technological avenues, such as wheeled platforms, distributed tactile systems, and industry-specific robotic arms, which offer greater potential for immediate returns.