The Challenges of Building Advanced Robots

Building robots isn’t as simple as it sounds. There are three core challenges to tackle: electronics, mechanics, and computing. Interestingly, the bigger and heavier the robot, the easier and cheaper it becomes to build. However, the real challenge lies in the mechanics. Current mechanical parts aren't designed specifically for robots, making prototyping a difficult task. These parts lack the flexibility required for innovative new mechanisms, and even the smallest components are often oversized and clunky.

On the other hand, the electronics and software (such as AI) are advanced enough for creating sophisticated robots. However, the mechanics still lag behind. Ideally, each robot limb would need to integrate all three components—electronics, mechanics, and computing—in a compact and efficient form. This integration is the key to building truly advanced robots.