Repair Robotics Manifesto
For the first time in history, general robotics is possible.
However, we dont need robots to wash our dishes, fold our clothes or spread peanut butter on sandwiches. For a long time, humans will have comparative advantage in these tasks (it will be cheaper to have a human do it)
We also dont need general robots to manufacture new things or operate existing machinery. We have specialized industrial robots to handle the first, and we have "smart tools" to automate the second (a car that drives itself; not a humanoid that sits in a car to drive it)
The only area that requires true generality and where human expertise is more expensive is repair/maintanance. Manufactuing is a deterministic. Repair is not. Issues arrive unexpectedly, and require flexibility to solve.
Coincidentally, repair/maintanance is also a huge market. We spend as much resources maintaining existing infrastructure as building new one.
In conclusion, I believe the near future of humanoid robotics will be defined by humanoid robots as status items and repair robotics. A humanoid robotics startup must optimize towards one of those two (currently) divergent objectives. Luxury robot startups need to focus on aesthetic and appeal to high end market. Repair robotics needs to focus on delivering value to customers as soon as possible.