The Question of Humaoid Robots

I’ve been thinking a lot over the past few days about the new Tesla Optimus robots and humanoid robots in general. Here are some general thoughts after conversations with others.

I’ve been thinking a lot over the past few days about the new Tesla Optimus robots and humanoid robots in general. Being the technologist I am, (and perhaps guilty of watching one too many sci-fi movies), I wasn’t particularly surprised by this—I hadn’t given it much thought. Until I was speaking with a close friend, he expressed great hesitation and concern about robots. This led me to  question, “Why even make robots that have a human form.”  For quite some time, there has been concern of anthropomorphic naming of AI systems.Critics have expressed concern for the lines being blurred between humans and machines, and  have called for regulations to ensure responsible use. As humans we have the tendency to attribute human characteristics to nonhuman entities.  A clear example of this is in our tendency to name things and possessions– Warriors have named their swords, car enthusiasts have named their cars, I’ve even named my favorite headphones because I was prompted to do so from the Bose app.  Yet, the question remains, is it a good idea for us to build robots that mimic and echo humans as closely as Tesla (Optimus) and Figure (F02) are doing currently?

Let’s take a step back and try to see things through a Catholic-Christian lens: One approach could be that of hesitation and skepticism.. What audacity do we have, that we would dare to build technology in the very form that God Himself created mankind!

Another approach could be one of curiosity and wonder– seeing the ingenuity of man as a characteristic after God’s own heart. Man, seeking to imitate His Creator uses what providence has provided him in intellect and creativity to create helpful tools to better the world around him. As with all things, this of course provides prudence and wisdom in application, but perhaps the ability to build humanoid robots could be seen as an act of the modern man seeking to know, love, and serve his God in a technologically advanced time. 

All things considered, I think the debate is less about whether we can make robots, and specifically robots that resemble us, but  rather, is such creation of technology in alignment with our values?

The ethical concerns around these developments are significant. As we bring humanoid robots into the world, what boundaries need to be set to ensure that we are not overstepping into dangerous territory? At what point does use of this technology compromise our inherent value and dignity as people?  While robots may serve incredible functions, helping in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, or even companionship, we must be careful that these creations do not replace or diminish the irreplaceable, relational, and spiritual aspects of what it means to be human.

Finally, we have to remember intention.  We should keep in mind that the current development of humanoid robots is largely driven by commercial applications, with companies like Tesla and Figure focusing on solving specific industrial challenges. One of the biggest problems they are trying to tackle is the shortage of labor in warehouses and logistics operations. These robots are being built to take on physically demanding, repetitive tasks in environments where human workers often face difficult conditions. Their humanoid form is not just an aesthetic choice; it allows them to function within infrastructure designed for humans—fitting into spaces, using tools, and performing tasks that were previously done by people without significant modifications to existing workflows.

As Catholics, we are called to uphold the inherent dignity of the human person, and any innovation—no matter how extraordinary—should be measured against how well it serves the common good, honors human life, and reflects God's divine order. The question of whether robots should be humanoid is less about technical capability and more about ensuring that technology remains in service of humanity, rather than becoming something that distorts or replaces it.