Mikell Taylor, director of robotics strategy at General Motors, discusses next-generation robots and dispels some common myths. Advances in AI, sensing, and manipulation are pushing robotics beyond isolated automation toward something fundamentally different. As manufacturers face reshoring pressures, fragile supply chains, and rising demands for flexibility, the question is no longer what robots can do alone, but how effectively people and machines can work together to create lasting value. The next generation of robots may look quite different from the systems showcased in today’s lab demos and videos—but the real shift will be less about appearance than about collaboration.
