Core Viewpoint - The development of humanoid robots has raised questions about whether they are operated by humans, with recent advancements showing significant improvements in their autonomous capabilities, although many still rely on remote control for operation [2][3][6]. Group 1: Current State of Humanoid Robots - Humanoid robots have shown notable progress in athletic abilities, now capable of complex movements such as long-distance running, somersaults, and even competitive sports, with examples like TianGong Ultra and SongYan Power N2 completing a half marathon autonomously [3]. - Despite advancements, many humanoid robots still operate under remote control, which is categorized into basic remote control and more complex remote operation, the latter being essential for data collection and model training [3][4]. Group 2: Remote Operation vs. Remote Control - Remote operation is distinguished from simple remote control; the former involves real-time control using advanced devices, allowing for more intricate movements and data collection for training purposes [4][5]. - The reliance on remote control is partly due to the current limitations in data availability and the need for specialized models to perform specific tasks effectively [6]. Group 3: Future Prospects and Challenges - Some industry experts express optimism that the reliance on remote control may diminish as commercial demand for fully autonomous robots increases, particularly in sectors like banking and education [7]. - The industry is exploring various technical routes to enhance the generalization capabilities of embodied intelligence, including end-to-end models and hierarchical models, but significant challenges remain before achieving true autonomy [8].

Core Insights - The rapid development of robotics technology is accompanied by a significant reliance on human remote control for reliable operation, challenging the perception of fully autonomous robots [1][2][3] - Companies are increasingly using remote operation as a strategic method to gather high-quality training data for AI models, which is essential for future automation [3][4] Group 1: Human-Robot Interaction - Many robots showcased in high-profile demonstrations are not fully autonomous and require human operators for control, which has become an open secret in the industry [2][3] - The reliance on human intervention is not merely a temporary solution but a necessary step towards achieving higher levels of automation [1][4] Group 2: Remote Operation as a Strategy - Remote operation is utilized to address complex challenges that robots cannot handle independently, such as navigating obstacles [3][4] - Companies like Waymo and Uber Eats are leveraging remote operators to assist robots in real-time, which also contributes to training AI for future autonomous capabilities [3][5] Group 3: Long-Term Goals of Automation - The long-term objective of the robotics industry remains to achieve higher degrees of autonomy, allowing a single operator to supervise multiple devices [5] - Even leading companies like Waymo maintain a level of remote human intervention, indicating that full autonomy is still a work in progress [5]