You might own a humanoid robot butler in 5 years, but will it be useful? Expert makes bizarre prediction

The promise of robot butlers has long been a staple of science fiction, but according to a robotics expert, the fantasy might be arriving sooner than we think—albeit with a strangely anticlimactic twist. As artificial intelligence evolves at breakneck speed and robotics technology begins to mimic human motion with eerie precision, companies like Tesla are unveiling humanoid robots that can walk, bend, and move with uncanny realism. Elon Musk’s ‘Optimus’ bot is among the most high-profile of these prototypes, raising eyebrows and expectations alike.

But the road from tech demo to domestic help may be far more disappointing than most imagine.

From Sci-Fi to Side Show?

Romain Moulin, founder of robotics company Exotec, believes that humanoid robot butlers will become commercially available within the next five years—at least for the ultra-rich who can afford them. These high-end machines, he says, will be capable of tasks like sweeping floors or carrying objects. However, there’s a catch big enough to short-circuit your excitement.

As per a report from Metro, according to Moulin, the robots may only function effectively for about ten minutes at a time before needing to recharge, thanks to their high power consumption and complex mechanics. In his words, these bots might serve more as dinner party novelties than actual household staff.

“It will be sitting in a corner of the room. You will have some friends over and you will tell that humanoid robot, ‘Please clean my floor,’” Moulin explained. “It will pick up a broom and start cleaning, and then go back and sit on its chair charging, because it has ten minutes of autonomy.”

A Power Problem and a Safety Risk

The limitations don’t stop at battery life. Moulin warns that the more strength and functionality we pack into these robots, the more dangerous they become. Legs alone on a humanoid robot might weigh over 40 kilograms—more than enough to injure someone if something goes wrong. Add more capacity for lifting or multitasking, and the safety risks escalate dramatically. “There’s a big concern,” Moulin said. “If you want a robot that can lift heavy things like a human, you’re also creating more potential to hurt someone. That’s the trade-off nobody’s talking about.”

Legs vs. Wheels: The Aesthetic Illusion

There’s also a fierce debate brewing within the robotics community: Should humanoid robots even have legs? Moulin argues that wheels make far more sense in controlled environments like factories, where efficiency matters more than mimicry. Legs, he contends, are only practical in settings dominated by human-centric architecture—homes, hospitals, or restaurants—where steps, narrow doorways, and uneven terrain can trip up wheeled designs.

But even in those cases, Moulin is skeptical. The push for bipedal robots is often about visual appeal rather than functionality. “Legs look cool,” he said, “but in many environments, they’re just a waste of money.”

The Future Is Closer—But Stranger—Than You Think

With many companies investing heavily in humanoid robots, it’s clear that the race to bring AI-powered helpers into homes is on. But if Moulin’s predictions prove true, the first generation of robot butlers might not revolutionize your life—they might simply be the world’s most expensive party trick.

So yes, your robot butler could arrive within five years. Just don’t be surprised if it spends more time plugged into a wall than picking up after you.