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Humanoid robots — actually useful ones, the kind you might encounter in day-to-day life — have long been the territory of science fiction, not reality. But their sci-fi ubiquity makes them an understandably tantalizing prospect, and “embodied AI” — AI given a physical system — is already making a difference in the world. Could this finally be their moment? In this month’s Highlight cover story, Adam Clark Estes explains what he learned watching a robot make lemonade, and what it tells us about the future of humanoid robots. Also in this issue: A jobless boom. The ethics of small pet ownership. And remembering the man who killed smallpox.

There’s a silver lining to our health care cost crisis

By Dylan Scott

We’re in an economic boom. Where are the jobs?

By Heather Long

Coming February 3

The forgotten hero who helped eradicate one of humanity’s oldest killers

By Bryan Walsh

Coming February 3

Who on Earth still doesn’t have electricity?

By Umair Irfan

Coming February 4

The robots we deserve

By Adam Clark Estes

Coming February 5

The case against owning small pets

By Kenny Torrella

Coming February 6

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