Much of the current buzz centers on humanoids—robots that resemble people—whose recent exploits include running marathons and performing backflips. General-purpose robots also come in many other forms, however, including those that rely on four legs or wheels for movement (Exhibit 1). But as executives weigh automation road maps and workforce evolution, their focus should not be on whether their robots look human but on whether these robots can flex across tasks in environments designed for humans. This issue is both urgent and intriguing because general-purpose robots, including those in the multipurpose subcategory, may become part of the workplace team: trained to pack, pick, lift, inspect, move, and collaborate with people in real time.2
