The Evolution of Human-Robot Interaction

A visit to an uncanny resort.

Jul 12, 2018

In this installment of "Generation Robot", Grant Imahara gets first-hand experience in human-robot interaction. 

Latest in Manufacturing
Modeling AI ROI Like a CFO, Not a Vendor
Sponsored
Modeling AI ROI Like a CFO, Not a Vendor
October 1, 2026
Electronics factory workers in maroon uniforms assembling components at industrial workstations in a bright manufacturing facility.
Pandora Opens $150 Million Jewelry Factory Powered by Renewable Energy
October 1, 2026
Two warehouse workers in safety gear reviewing inventory data on laptop in storage facility
Why Some Supply Chains Recover Faster Than Others
October 2, 2026
Industrial manufacturing facility with CNC machines, blue workbenches, and overhead yellow crane system in warehouse space
How One Shop Filled 150 Idle Machine Hours in Two Weeks
October 2, 2026
Related Stories
An example of how the robot arm uses survey questions to determine the preferences of the person using it. In this case, the person prefers trajectory #1 (T1) over trajectory #2.
Industrial Automation
Researchers Teach Robots What Humans Want
Robot Welding
Manufacturing
Robotics Growth Is Changing Industry
Maxresdefault 5b69ccef40494
Manufacturing
Sharing the World with Our Machines
Beyond the Dashboard
Sponsor Content
Beyond the Dashboard
More in Manufacturing
The 2026 AI-Powered Financial Analysis Handbook
Sponsored
The 2026 AI-Powered Financial Analysis Handbook
Several actions you can take right now to win with AI.
October 1, 2026
Electronics factory workers in maroon uniforms assembling components at industrial workstations in a bright manufacturing facility.
Manufacturing
Pandora Opens $150 Million Jewelry Factory Powered by Renewable Energy
It will produce up to 60 million pieces of jewelry a year.
October 1, 2026
Two warehouse workers in safety gear reviewing inventory data on laptop in storage facility
Manufacturing
Why Some Supply Chains Recover Faster Than Others
Why resilience strategies fail and how standardized processes fix it.
October 2, 2026
Industrial manufacturing facility with CNC machines, blue workbenches, and overhead yellow crane system in warehouse space
Manufacturing
How One Shop Filled 150 Idle Machine Hours in Two Weeks
Without hiring additional sales or estimating staff.
October 2, 2026
Three large metallic sail-shaped sculptures stand in a desert landscape under a blue sky with clouds
Aerospace
Shield AI Picks U.S. Production Site for X-BAT, Its AI-Piloted Fighter Jet
It's planned to begin production in 2029.
October 2, 2026
Iowa state flag waving on a flagpole against a blue sky with white clouds
Manufacturing
$15B Iowa Steel Plant in Question with Tax Laws, Site Selection Still Unresolved
The project has encountered some skepticism in rural Iowa.
October 2, 2026
Two professionals observe a large industrial manufacturing facility from an elevated platform with expansive windows.
Manufacturing
New Technology Must Tackle Old Problems
The latest-and-greatest at IMTS drills down to legacy manufacturing challenges.
October 1, 2026
Collaborative robotic arm with orange control unit on linear rail system for industrial automation
Manufacturing
The Best Cobot Is the One for the Job
The hard part is no longer whether a robot can do the job, it's choosing the one that best fits your application.
October 1, 2026
Female technician in safety glasses working on electrical panel with orange and blue wiring in industrial facility
Manufacturing
OEM v. Third-Party: Why Selecting the Right Service Provider Matters
It's risky to view the relationship with your OEM as strictly transactional.
October 1, 2026
Aerial view of industrial facility with four circular cooling towers on rooftop surrounded by landscaped grounds and adjacent buildings
Manufacturing
When Water Runs Short, Cooling Becomes the Constraint
As industrial regions face increased water shortages, water-dependent facilities need strategies that reduce demand without putting uptime at risk.
October 1, 2026
Precision drilling machine performing circuit board assembly with blue-toned industrial equipment
Manufacturing
The Semiconductor Industry Is Scaling Fast. Can Its Supply Chain Keep Up?
Semiconductor manufacturing equipment sales are forecasted to reach $165.9 billion in 2026.
October 1, 2026
Hormel Foods storefront sign with red text and green decorative border featuring parsley leaf icon
Manufacturing
Hormel to Acquire Chicken Processor Brakebush in $1B Deal
The company expects the move to bolster its protein portfolio and foodservice operations.
October 1, 2026
Stacked wooden planks with natural grain texture stored in a warehouse or lumber yard
Manufacturing
Millwork Company to Make Processed Pine Products in New U.S. Factory
The $216 million factory will create 217 new jobs.
October 1, 2026
Industrial facility with rows of large rectangular structures under white roof framework and connecting piping systems
IoT
LG's New U.S. Factory Will Produce Chillers for AI Data Centers
Production is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2027.
October 1, 2026
Worker in white protective suit and mask in industrial facility with shelved products and ABM branded clothing visible
Manufacturing
ABM Launches Technical Training Center in Idaho to Meet Demand for Semiconductor Talent
The company expects the center to offer an annual capacity for 500 participants at launch.
September 30, 2026