Here's how humanoid robots could fit into the future of defense, society

SALT LAKE CITY — How close are we, really, to a society that includes humanoid robots?

Perhaps not as far as one may think.

Utah State University professor Mario Harper certainly thinks so, and he was on hand at the 47G Zero Gravity Summit Wednesday to showcase their potential — specifically the potential of Dallas and Dallas II, two humanoid robots the university acquired from overseas.

But Dallas' capabilities don't end on the dance floor, with Harper explaining that the humanoid bots could have major applications societally and in the defense sector.

For a while, Harper said researchers primarily used four-legged robots and rollers for work on interplanetary surfaces. But when it comes to working on complex terrain or in human environments, robots need to be able to replicate human abilities.

"Much of this just boils down to, 'Whose world is this?'" Harper said. "And I dare say, this is humanity's world. This planet is currently humanity's planet, and that means that everything is geared for humans to walk on. The softness of the carpets, everything from the friction of asphalt ... is designed for humans and human operation."

Additionally, Harper said a disconnect usually exists between the space perception of a robot versus that of a human. Think of a big, clunky, four-wheel robot trying to operate as a human would. Since humanoid robots are quite literally designed to be humanlike, they have a nearly identical operating space to that of a human.

These factors make humanoid robots more suitable for integration into a plethora of industries, one certainly being defense.

For an operation like a tactical insertion, for example, Harper said, it could be sent to clear a room.

And when this exercise was attempted with other robots (not of the humanoid variety), Harper said it either slowed the operation down or made it more dangerous by giving away the troops' position, blocking the exit and not providing cover.

Humanoid robots like Dallas also showed the ability to collapse and withstand the weight of other humans, meaning troops could walk over them or use them as a stepping stool of sorts to navigate obstacles.

"It's actually a very real, tactical benefit for the military," Harper said. "Technical insertion exercises become more compelling when you have a platform that can maneuver well."

Harper also thinks humanoid robots could have use cases on the home front, particularly in household settings for at-home care and housecleaning. But that would also require the use of reasoning and problem-solving — something other robots don't currently have.

"Right now, no other robot has the physical and reasoning capability to do that, and you really need those two abilities," Harper said. "If we're looking at a future where we want something that can fulfill the day-to-day operations of the home, I don't think there is another choice."

But for now, Harper is happy USU students have the opportunity to experiment with robotics and is encouraging more potential students to get involved in the field.

"We really want people in the space. It takes so much to do robotics. It takes so much knowledge of different branches of engineering. I know it's hard, but there's just not a lot of us," Harper said. "The opportunities are plentiful. The United States wants this right now, and it wants to push this. We just don't have (enough) people."

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