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Agility plans to produce Digit in volume by 2024. It is working with several big, though unnamed, delivery outfits, on ways in which Digit could work safely with people. If someone is detected by the robot’s sensors it pauses and then navigates around him or her. Nevertheless, says Dr Hurst, the robot will soon acquire a simplified face to help signal its intentions. An animated set of eyes, for instance, will look in a particular direction to indicate which way it is heading, and a glance at someone will show it has detected them.

Do no harm

Such safety systems will be needed for robots to interact successfully with people. At present, the use of robots is governed mainly by standard safety and product liability rules. Some argue, though, that special robot-specific laws will be required to ensure they are operated safely. As every scifi buff knows, Isaac Asimov laid out a set of these eight decades ago. They are:

• A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

• A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

• A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

But, as every scifi buff also knows, Azimov’s storylines often revolve around these laws not quite working as planned.

About his Digits, Dr Hurst says, “My opinion is that they are very safe. But we need real statistics and a regulatory environment to prove this.”

For his part, Mr Musk said that Optimus would contain a device that could be used as an off switch if necessary. Although the robot itself would be connected to wi-fi, the switch would not, so that it was isolated to prevent remote interference.

As far as the Amecas’ safety is concerned, Mr Jackson is taking an engineering approach. He observes that one reason human limbs avoid injuring others is by being firm and floppy at the same time. Unfortunately, the small, powerful actuators needed to emulate this in robots do not yet exist. He is working on that, though, for it will be of little use teaching an Ameca social graces if it then commits the faux pas of bashing into you.