This recent IEEE Spectrum article tackles the question: Do people actually want humanoid robots in their homes? Big-name players, such as Tesla’s Optimus, Figure AI’s Figure 02, and 1X Technologies’Neo, sell the idea with images of robots folding clothes, watering plants, or assisting the elderly. But talk is cheap; the real test is what people think. So robotics professor Maya Cakmak and her students surveyed 76 U.S. and U.K. adults to find out.
Most respondents said they’d rather have special-purpose robots, such as smart feeders, Roombas, or stairlifts, than general-purpose humanoids. They cited key concerns: humanoids feel bulkier, more intrusive, and less safe or private. In contrast, task-specific bots are seen as practical and discreet. That said, many would still find humanoid robots “acceptable” in certain scenarios, particularly when special-purpose alternatives don’t exist yet. But that acceptance comes with asterisks: participants were told to assume safety checks, regulatory approval, and insurance coverage, i.e., conditions that may be far off in reality.
Comfort levels change depending on the task. Folding laundry or watering plants? Fine. Helping someone downstairs? Absolutely not. The physical risks felt too real. Some responses were blunt: “absolutely not in a million years.” Home space also plays a role. One child summed it up: “But we don’t have an extra bed,” reminding us that “if your home doesn’t have room for another human, it probably doesn’t have room for a humanoid.”
While humanoid companies dream big, consumers are pragmatic. They want robots that serve a purpose without taking up space or compromising privacy. Humanoid robots may be eye-catching, but according to this survey, simplicity still wins at home.