Why Humanoid Robots Are Now Getting Smaller, Safer, and Ready for Homes – RedState

We live in amazing modern times. We have seen something of an explosion in the number of humaniform robots – androids – in recent years. If they can iron out the bugs in this technology, it could really be something, especially for people who are elderly, disabled, or both. This could improve their quality of life and give them a level of independence that might not have been possible otherwise.

I still think Asimov’s three laws of robotics would be a good idea.

Today, a company called Fauna Robotics is launching an android called Sprout, which is smaller, softer, friendlier and, we can hope, cheaper than the alternatives. It’s an interesting design.

For decades, humanoid robots have lived behind safety cages in factories or in the heart of research laboratories. Fauna Robotics, a New York-based robotics startup, says those days are coming to an end.

The company introduced Sprout, a compact humanoid robot designed from the ground up to operate in the presence of people. Instead of adapting an industrial robot for public spaces, Fauna built Sprout specifically for homes, schools, offices, commercial spaces and entertainment venues.

“Sprout is a humanoid platform designed from fundamental principles to operate in the presence of people,” the company said. “This is a new category of robots designed for the spaces where we live, work and play.” This philosophy drives almost every design choice behind Sprout.

Here’s what makes Sprout different:

Standing approximately 3.5 feet tall, Sprout fits naturally into human spaces instead of dominating them. Weighing approximately 50 pounds, it carries less kinetic energy during movement or contact, making close interactions safer by design. Lightweight materials and a soft-touch exterior further reduce risks. The design avoids sharp edges and limits pinch points, allowing the robot to operate near people without a safety cage. The quiet motors and smooth movements also reduce noise and help Sprout feel less intimidating in shared spaces.

Rather than complex, multi-fingered hands, Sprout uses simple one-degree-of-freedom grippers. This approach reduces weight and improves durability while supporting practical tasks such as item retrieval, transfers, and basic interaction in a shared space. Flexible arms and legs allow the robot to walk, kneel and crawl. The germ can also fall and recover without damaging sensitive components. In everyday environments, where conditions are rarely perfect, resilience is important.

Looks good so far.

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I still have a few questions.

First: it can work great in a city apartment or a suburban home. But what about a rural farm in Alaska? Can I send him, across the driveway, in the snow, to get my phone from the office? Can it maintain the fire in the wood stove, keeping it at the right amount of wood? Can I send it to the shed to split kindling and bring firewood?

Second: what connection does Fauna have with these robots? I assume they will need to be connected to download firmware updates etc. Will it also collect data about my home and our habits? Will this data be available to Fauna employees or management?

These things could be of great help to some people. I would like to think that will be the case. But one way or another, I think my Susitna Valley estate will be Android-free for a while; I seriously doubt that an Android is up to what I want to do.

Don’t think I’m going to put my name in the queue to buy a Sprout robot again.

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