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Social robotics expert Naomi Fitter on why humanoid robots are reaching a tipping point

NPR | By Scott Simon

Published August 22, 2026 at 6:43 AM CDT

Robots that resemble human beings – known as humanoids – are on the rise. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Naomi Fitter from Oregon State University about what's driving the advances in the technology.

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weekend edition saturday

Scott Simon

Scott Simon is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First.

See stories by Scott Simon

Opinion: Mr. Rogers keeps finding a new neighborhood

Scott Simon

MLB catcher Jake Rogers probably didn't know if he was coming or going the last several weeks: he's been a Detroit Tiger, a Baltimore Oriole, a Boston Red Sox, and now he's a Chicago White Sox.
CBC senior business correspondent Peter Armstrong on U.S.-Canada trade talks collapse

Scott Simon

NPR's Scott Simon talks to Peter Armstrong, senior business correspondent at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, about the collapse in US-Canada trade talks.
Colorado River crisis: Lower basin braces for massive federal water cuts

Scott Simon, Alex Hager

The Trump Administration has released a two-year operating plan for the Colorado River. Arizona, California and Nevada are expected to cut their water use from the river.
Bipartisan spending pushes U.S. national debt past the historic $40 trillion mark

Eric McDaniel, Scott Simon

The national debt reached $40 trillion this week. It's an eye-popping figure -- one that has grown as the influence of debt and deficit hawks has receded in Congress.
Flock Safety alternatives: new names, same surveillance

Jaclyn Diaz

Dozens of cities canceled contracts with Flock Safety, which makes license plate readers for police departments, amid strong backlash. Privacy experts say some alternatives are no better than Flock.