iRobot Founder Rodney Brooks Avoids Modern Humanoid Robots Due to Safety and Dexterity Concerns

Rodney Brooks, the founder of iRobot and a pioneering figure in robotics, has made it clear he won’t get within 10 feet of today’s humanoid robots. His caution stems from deep concerns about their safety, reliability, and the limitations of how they’re being developed. Brooks, who helped bring the Roomba vacuum robot to life, believes that current humanoid robots are far from being safe or capable enough for real-world environments. He argues that these robots, despite their human-like appearance, lack the true dexterity and situational awareness needed to function reliably in unpredictable spaces. “They’re not really intelligent,” Brooks says. “They’re just following pre-programmed behaviors or patterns learned from video data, which isn’t enough to handle real-world complexity.” One of his main criticisms is the overreliance on training robots using vast amounts of video footage. While this approach helps robots recognize objects and mimic actions, Brooks warns it doesn’t teach them the physical understanding required to manipulate objects with care or adapt to unexpected changes. “Just watching videos doesn’t teach a robot how to feel the weight of a cup or adjust grip when it’s slippery,” he explains. Brooks also raises red flags about the potential dangers of deploying humanoid robots in homes, hospitals, or public areas without rigorous safety testing. “If a robot stumbles and falls, it could injure someone. If it misjudges a step or drops something heavy, the consequences could be serious,” he says. “We’re not ready for that kind of risk.” He emphasizes that progress in robotics should focus on solving specific, practical problems—like cleaning, logistics, or manufacturing—rather than chasing the flashy, human-shaped form. “Robots should be designed for the task, not for how they look,” he says. “A robot that moves like a human doesn’t mean it’s better at doing human jobs.” Brooks remains optimistic about the future of robotics, but insists it must be grounded in realism and safety. He believes the industry needs to shift from hype-driven development to engineering that prioritizes reliability, transparency, and real-world testing. Until then, he’ll keep his distance—both literally and philosophically—from the humanoid robots of today.