# Robots Need Physical, Not Just Artificial, Intelligence

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2025-01-03
- Length: 48m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-01-03-robots-need-physical-not-just-artificial-intelligence
- Listen: https://podcast.show/aspencore/episode/140588523/

## Summary

Emeritus Prof. Rodney Brooks, CTO of Robust AI and founder of iRobot and Rethink Robotics, discusses the necessity of physical intelligence in robotics, arguing that reactive systems and force control are superior to pure position control or simulation. He critiques the current hype around humanoid robots and large language models, emphasizing that successful products like the Roomba and Baxter industrial robot relied on pragmatic engineering and series elastic actuators rather than complex AI. The episode concludes with a discussion on the societal implications of automation and the enduring value of fundamental hardware principles.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-01-03-robots-need-physical-not-just-artificial-intelligence#t=3) Introduction and Brooks' Career Overview
- [3:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-01-03-robots-need-physical-not-just-artificial-intelligence#t=196) Behavioral Robotics and the Cog Project
- [6:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-01-03-robots-need-physical-not-just-artificial-intelligence#t=375) Series Elastic Actuators and Force Control
- [13:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-01-03-robots-need-physical-not-just-artificial-intelligence#t=792) Critique of Humanoid Robots and Boston Dynamics
- [16:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-01-03-robots-need-physical-not-just-artificial-intelligence#t=965) Physicality vs. Computation in AI
- [29:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-01-03-robots-need-physical-not-just-artificial-intelligence#t=1775) The Future of Robotics and Hands
- [32:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-01-03-robots-need-physical-not-just-artificial-intelligence#t=1960) Panel Discussion on Commercial Impact and Society

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Robust AI (company)
- iRobot (company)
- Roomba (product)
- Rethink Robotics (company)
- Baxter (product)
- Cog (product)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Big Dog (product)
- Stanford Arm (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [RoboBusiness 2024 recap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-19-robobusiness-2024-recap) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [The Robot Revolution: Top 10 robots of all time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-08-01-the-robot-revolution-top-10-robots-of-all-time) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [264: Inside Automated: Asking the Right Questions about Robotics and AI with Brian Heater, Managing Editor at A3 and Host of the Automated Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-12-02-264-inside-automated-asking-the-right-questions-about-robotics-and-ai-with-brian) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Marc Raibert on the future of robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-07-25-marc-raibert-on-the-future-of-robotics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Hands-on Physical AI with Kevin Cloutier](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-08-26-hands-on-physical-ai-with-kevin-cloutier) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-01-03-robots-need-physical-not-just-artificial-intelligence. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to EE Times Current.