Editing Humanoid robot (section)

==Applications==
[[Image:ICub sciencefestival 1.jpg|thumb|left|[[iCub]] robot at the [[Festival della Scienza|Genoa Science Festival]], Italy, in 2009]]
Humanoid robots are now used as research tools in several scientific areas. Researchers study the human body structure and behavior (biomechanics) to build humanoid robots. On the other side, the attempt to simulate the human body leads to a better understanding of it. Human cognition is a field of study which is focused on how humans learn from sensory information in order to acquire perceptual and motor skills. This knowledge is used to develop computational models of human behavior, and it has been improving over time.

It has been suggested that very advanced robotics will facilitate the enhancement of ordinary humans. See [[transhumanism]].

=== Medical and research ===
Humanoid robots are a valuable resource in the world of medicine and biotechnology, as well as other fields of research such as biomechanics and cognitive science.<ref name=":32">{{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-94-007-6046-2_64 |chapter=Humanoid Robots: Historical Perspective, Overview, and Scope |title=Humanoid Robotics: A Reference |date=2019 |last1=Siciliano |first1=Bruno |last2=Khatib |first2=Oussama |pages=3–8 |isbn=978-94-007-6045-5 }}</ref> Humanoid robots are being used to develop complex prosthetics for individuals with physical disabilities such as missing limbs.<ref name=":4">{{cite book |doi=10.1109/ROBOT.2006.1641164 |chapter=Development of a new humanoid robot WABIAN-2 |title=Proceedings 2006 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, 2006. ICRA 2006 |date=2006 |last1=Yu Ogura |last2=Aikawa |first2=H. |last3=Shimomura |first3=K. |last4=Kondo |first4=H. |last5=Morishima |first5=A. |last6=Hun-Ok Lim |last7=Takanishi |first7=A. |pages=76–81 |isbn=0-7803-9505-0 }}</ref> The WABIAN-2 is a new medical humanoid robot created to help patients in the rehabilitation of their lower limbs.<ref name=":4" />

Although the initial aim of humanoid research was to build better [[orthosis]] and [[prosthesis]] for human beings, knowledge has been transferred between both disciplines. A few examples are powered leg prosthesis for the neuromuscularly impaired, ankle-foot orthosis, biological realistic leg prosthesis, and forearm prosthesis.

Humanoid robots can be used as test subjects for the practice and development of personalized healthcare aids, essentially performing as robotic nurses for demographics such as the elderly.<ref name=":4" /> Humanoids are also suitable for some procedurally-based vocations, such as reception-desk administrators and automotive manufacturing line workers. In essence, since they can use tools and operate equipment and vehicles designed for the human form, humanoids could theoretically perform any task a human being can, so long as they have the proper [[software]]. However, the complexity of doing so is immense.

=== Entertainment ===
Humanoid robots have had a long history in the realm of entertainment, from the conception and ideas in the story of [[Prometheus]] to the application and physical build of modern animatronics used for [[theme park]]s.<ref name=":32"/> Current uses and development of humanoid robots in theme parks are focused on creating stuntronics.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Stuntronics – Disney Research|url=https://la.disneyresearch.com/stuntronics/|access-date=2021-10-25|website=la.disneyresearch.com}}</ref> Stuntronics are humanoid robots built for serving as stunt doubles, and are designed to simulate life-like, untethered, dynamic movement.<ref name=":5" /> Several [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] theme park shows utilize animatronic robots that look, move and speak much like human beings. Although these robots look realistic, they have no cognition or physical autonomy. Various humanoid robots and their possible applications in daily life are featured in an independent documentary film called ''[[Plug & Pray]]'', which was released in 2010.

=== Demonstrative ===
[[File:Ameca Generation 1.jpg|thumb|[[Ameca (robot)|Ameca]] generation 1 pictured in the lab at [[Engineered Arts|Engineered Arts Ltd]].]]
Though many real-world applications for humanoid robots are unexplored, their primary use is to demonstrate up-and-coming technologies.<ref name=":6">{{cite journal |last1=Behnke |first1=Sven |title=Humanoid Robots – From Fiction to Reality? |journal=KI-Zeitschrift |volume=4 |issue=8 |pages=5–9 |date=December 2008 }}</ref> Modern examples of humanoid robots, such as the Honda Asimo, are revealed to the public in order to demonstrate new technological advancements in motor skills, such as walking, climbing, and playing an instrument.<ref name=":6" /> Other humanoid robots have been developed for household purposes, however excel only in single purpose skills and are far from autonomous.<ref name=":6" /> Humanoid robots, especially those with [[artificial intelligence]] [[algorithm]]s, could be useful for future dangerous and/or distant [[space exploration]] [[Spaceflight|missions]], without having the need to turn back around again and return to [[Earth]] once the mission is completed.