Humanoid hardware, not AI, is the bottleneck, says Allegro exec

The article, drawing on Andreas Friedrich's upcoming RoboBusiness talk, highlights a shift in robotics challenges: while AI has advanced perception and decision-making, the physical hardware—specifically the joints—now limits performance. The piece contrasts industrial robots with humanoids, noting that humanoids require all electronics to fit within the robot's body, making weight and space critical. This leads to a push toward higher voltage architectures, such as 48V DC, to reduce current and wiring losses, but this introduces new demands on motor-control electronics to handle transient voltages and thermal constraints.

Safety is another key concern as humanoids begin to work alongside people. Unlike industrial robots that are separated from humans, collaborative humanoids must integrate functional safety directly into their control systems, learning from automotive applications like electronic steering. The article argues that sensing, control, and power management must be designed as integrated subsystems within each joint to achieve the precision and responsiveness needed for tasks like handing someone a cup of tea.

The stakes are high for the robotics industry: the next major advance in humanoid capability may hinge not on AI models but on how efficiently and safely the physical body can execute decisions. For Allegro MicroSystems, a provider of motor control and sensing solutions, this represents a market opportunity in developing integrated solutions that meet these stringent requirements. However, the article does not specify whether such integration is already achievable or if it remains a design goal.