Humanoid robots learn complex movements in Schiedam, but their role in filling labor shortages is uncertain

In Schiedam, Netherlands, the newly opened Humanoid Application Center (HAC) is pioneering the training of humanoid robots for complex tasks. Currently, the nearly ten robots on display, controlled wirelessly, move somewhat awkwardly, with a robotic dog demonstrating a hesitant wave. While they possess the necessary hardware, their programming lacks the sophistication for intricate movements.

The HAC's core mission is to 'teach' these robots by having them repeat movements hundreds of times, akin to learning a tennis backhand. The ultimate goal is to program these humanoids to perform labor in various workplaces. The center itself does not manufacture robots but sources them from the US and China. Companies aspiring to utilize humanoids can rent a studio at the HAC, where their specific work environments are recreated, allowing the robots to learn their designated tasks.

A team of six software developers and machine learning specialists, primarily recruited from local universities, creates the essential software. The HAC positions itself as the first company in the Netherlands solely focused on innovating with humanoid robots. Evert Jaap Lugt, a co-founder, envisions the HAC fostering an 'ecosystem' for technological advancement, offering subscriptions that grant access to this collaborative knowledge base. Current subscribers include construction firm Dura Vermeer, robot rental company Smartrobot.Solutions, SDK Vastgoed, the Metropoolregio Rotterdam Den Haag (MRDH), and AI consultancy Sherpa Digital.

Lugt anticipates that within five years, humanoid robots will closely resemble humans, and within a decade, they will be indistinguishable. He suggests these lifelike robots could help combat loneliness by fostering social connections. Lugt believes sectors facing labor shortages, such as healthcare, agriculture, and construction, stand to benefit most from these advanced machines. However, the article concludes by questioning whether these robots, despite their developing capabilities, can truly bridge the existing labor gap.