Whether in Avatar, Iron Man, or Alien – robots and exoskeletons have fascinated audiences on screen for decades. They grant humans superhuman strength, extend their capabilities, and enable spectacular new forms of movement and precision. What was once pure science fiction has become reality: robotic assistance systems are now an integral part of our world. Their purpose is not to compete with humans but to support and relieve them. Modern robots and exoskeletons enhance human abilities, take over physically demanding or highly precise tasks, and create new possibilities for collaboration between humans and machines.

With his keynote “Intelligent Manipulation – Fine Motor Skills for Humanoid Robots,” Prof. Homayoon Kazerooni demonstrated just how close this future already is. The renowned researcher from the University of California, Berkeley, offered exciting insights into the current state of humanoid robotics – and into a technology with the potential to fundamentally transform the working world.

“Humanoids are here for real.” With this statement, Prof. Kazerooni emphasized that the potential of humanoid robots extends far beyond research laboratories: in manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, logistics, and warehousing, they open up entirely new possibilities for industrial automation.

Prof. Homayoon Kazerooni speaks at the podium during the FAULHABER Customer Day, addressing an audience of customers and employees. A slide from his presentation on humanoid robotics is visible on a screen in the background.
The Trio of Human Competence
Using the example of production workers, Prof. Kazerooni illustrated the three central elements of human labor: intelligence, vision, and manipulation.