Don't Design Robots Like a Cup-Holding Table
carlosdponx · x · 2026-07-15
The author points out that if a robot has a flat surface and drinks are present at the event, someone will inevitably place their cup on it.
This directly influenced their humanoid robot's physical design:
- They actively avoid any flat, horizontal surfaces
- Because the robot stands about 4 feet 5 inches tall, a flat head would essentially act as a ready-made "side table"
The author also mentions that people treat the robot noticeably differently when it appears to be "alone." The team still keeps human staff on-site for support but tries to stay out of sight as much as possible.
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