‘It’s only a matter of time’ until humanoids are considered ‘superior’ to humans risking jobs and ‘psychological’ terror

HUMANOID robots could one day be superior to humans and leave us feeling obsolete.

That’s according to one expert who spoke with The U.S. Sun about the economic and psychological distress this could cause.

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Professor Robert Riener, from the research university ETH Zurich, told us that humanoids will become superior but it will take some time.

” I do think so. It is only a matter of time. However, it will take longer than most people think.

“We have already better technical components that outperform human structures,” he told us.

Riener went on to explain just how many things AI robots are already better at.

For example, robotic material and artificial bones can be made with carbon material.

That means humans can be made much stronger and more resilient than the human skeleton.

Robotic eyes are also said to be more sensitive than our own.

Riener also mentioned robotic ears and how microphones within them can detect sounds better due to increased sensitivity.

Other sensors can also be added to humanoid robots making them increasingly superior.

This is said to include speed sensors that we already use in cars.

“Computers are faster and have more storage than the human brain,” the professor added.

Riener notes that humanoids already have all these great features, it could be a long time before they form one perfect machine.

“To merge the structural components into one small and mobile system is not yet solved.

“This is an optimization problem, i.e. we have to reduce size and energy consumption, but not on the cost of movement performance, where AI can help us.

Humans and their work power get obsolete.

Robert ReinerETH Zurich

“It is also a challenge to control them, i.e. sensors, actuators, and computers have to collaborate in a fast manner to produce successful, smooth, functional movements,” the expert explained.

He also revealed the biggest challenge currently facing humanoid creators, and it involves getting a big enough power supply.

“Batteries get empty after 1-2 hours. We have to make the machines more energy efficient – or tether them,” he said.

“Then it is not a challenge but the robots would not be useful for outdoor use,” Reiner added.

The expert has also raised concerns over the impact of superior humanoids.

Humans may have fewer tasks to do but this could come at a cost to us psychologically and economically.

Reiner theorized that a superior robot of the future could leave some jobs obsolete.

“Humans and their work power get obsolete. This will lesser be an economic problem rather than a psychological one.

“What shall we do with our time and how will we feel, if we don’t have a task, and no satisfaction at work anymore?” he asked.

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk