What’s Driving the Push For Humanoid Robots w/ James Vincent

What’s Driving the Push For Humanoid Robots w/ James Vincent

From Tech Won't Save Us by Paris Marx

February 19, 2026 · 59 min · Episode 316

About this episode

Paris Marx and James Vincent discuss the rise of humanoid robots and their implications for society.

Paris Marx is joined by James Vincent to discuss why we’re seeing humanoid robots everywhere, the motivations to pursue an all-purpose robot, how close we are to achieving that goal, and the social implications if we were to achieve it. James Vincent is a UK-based journalist and author of Beyond Measure: The Hidden History of Measurement from Cubits to Quantum Constants. Tech Won’t Save Us offers a critical perspective on tech, its worldview, and wider society with the goal of inspiring people to demand better tech and a better world. Support the show on Patreon. The podcast is made in partnership with The Nation. Production is by Kyla Hewson. Exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan at https://incogni.com/saveus. Promo Code SAVEUS Also mentioned in this episode: James wrote about what kicking robots can tell us about the state of modern robotics Rodney Brooks makes a case for the difficulty in teaching robots human dexterity Here is an in-depth look at what Agility Robotics has been working on Shout-out to the 2008 movie Sleep Dealer Japanese convenience stores are using robots run by offshore operators This is what a toilet cleaning robot looks like

People in this episode

Host: Paris Marx

Guest: James Vincent

Topics covered

  • humanoid robots
  • robotics
  • social implications
  • technology
  • journalism

Keywords

  • humanoid robots
  • robotics
  • technology
  • social implications
  • James Vincent

Sponsors

Incogni

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Nation, Agility Robotics

Books & works: Beyond Measure: The Hidden History of Measurement from Cubits to Quantum Constants, Sleep Dealer

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