The New Apprentice Wears Wires: Will Advanced Humanoids Join the Aussie Tradie Toolkit?

The Australian worksite is a dynamic place. For generations, skilled tradespeople have built our nation, adapting to new challenges, materials, and crucially, new technologies. From cordless drills to laser levels, efficiency and safety improvements are readily embraced. Now, on the horizon, looms a potentially transformative technology: advanced humanoid robots. Not the clunky automatons of sci-fi past, but sophisticated machines capable of complex tasks, designed to work alongside human tradespeople.

Skepticism is natural. But before dismissing the idea, let's look back. Australian tradies have a proven track record as pragmatic early adopters when technology offers tangible benefits.

Remember the 'Brick Phone' Revolution?

Cast your mind back to the early-to-mid 1990s. Mobile phones – those cumbersome, expensive 'bricks' – were emerging. For the average person, they were a luxury. Yet, on worksites across Australia, plumbers, electricians, builders, and chippies were among the first to see the practical value.

Imagine the cost: A high-end mobile phone in 1995 could easily set you back $4,000 AUD or more. Using the Reserve Bank of Australia's inflation calculator, $4,000 in 1995 equates to roughly $8,500 - $9,000 in 2025 dollars. That was a significant investment, comparable to buying a decent used ute at the time.

Why did they adopt them so quickly despite the prohibitive cost? Efficiency. Suddenly, a tradie could:

• Receive urgent job calls while on another site.

• Confirm material deliveries without leaving the job.

• Provide instant quotes or updates to clients.

• Coordinate with other trades seamlessly.

• Call for help in an emergency.

The return on investment wasn't just financial; it was measured in saved time, reduced downtime, improved scheduling, and better customer service. The mobile phone wasn't a gimmick; it was a powerful tool that fundamentally changed how trades operated.

Enter the Humanoid: A Cost Perspective

Fast forward to today, and we're contemplating advanced humanoids. Estimates for capable, trade-ready humanoids are still speculative, but figures ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 AUD in the near future (let's estimate $100,000 for discussion) are often floated.

Compared to the inflation-adjusted $9,000 phone, $100,000 seems astronomical. However, consider the functionality. The phone was a communication device. The humanoid is potentially a labour-assisting device. A more relevant comparison might be to other major capital investments – a new work vehicle, specialised diagnostic equipment, or heavy machinery. In that context, while still substantial, the cost becomes less outlandish, especially if amortised over several years.

The Apprentice Question: Cost, Capability, and Concern

Perhaps the most significant discussion point is the impact on apprenticeships. How does the cost of a humanoid stack up against employing an apprentice?

The cost of an Australian apprentice to an employer goes far beyond their wages. It includes superannuation, workers' compensation insurance, TAFE fees, tool allowances, potential government incentives (which vary), and crucially, the time investment by qualified tradespeople for training and supervision, which represents lost billable hours. Conservatively, the total annual cost can easily range from $30,000 to $60,000+, depending on the trade, year level, and location. Over a typical four-year apprenticeship, the total investment can surpass $150,000 - $200,000.

From a purely spreadsheet perspective, a $100,000 humanoid with predictable maintenance costs might seem economically competitive against the multi-year, variable cost of an apprentice.

Advantages and Disadvantages: Human vs. Humanoid

The potential advantages of humanoid 'co-workers' are compelling in specific scenarios:

• Hazardous Environments: Humanoids can operate in confined spaces with poor air quality, extreme temperatures, excessive noise, or at dangerous heights without risk to human life.

• Dangerous Tasks: Handling hazardous materials, performing highly repetitive tasks known to cause injury (like heavy lifting or sustained awkward postures), or working near volatile processes could be delegated.

• Unpleasant Work: Tasks that are physically demanding, dirty, or monotonous could be handled by humanoids, freeing up human tradespeople for more complex, diagnostic, or client-facing work.

• Consistency & Availability: Humanoids don't get sick, need holidays (beyond maintenance), or have variations in performance due to fatigue (within operational limits).

However, the advantages of apprentices remain profound:

• Adaptability & Problem Solving: Apprentices learn to think critically, troubleshoot unexpected issues, and adapt techniques – skills currently beyond pre-programmed humanoids.

• Skill Development & Nuance: Trades involve craftsmanship, intuition, and fine motor skills honed over years. Apprentices grow into the next generation of skilled problem-solvers.

• Teamwork & Communication: Learning to work effectively within a human team, understanding site dynamics, and communicating clearly are vital skills learned during apprenticeship.

• Future of the Trade: Apprentices become the future supervisors, business owners, and innovators.

Ethical Considerations and the Soul of the Trade

The idea of replacing apprentices with robots raises significant ethical questions. Are we automating away crucial entry-level opportunities for young Australians? Are we sacrificing the tradition of mentorship and skill transfer for productivity gains?

This is where the comparison to the 1990s mobile phone adoption becomes relevant again. Tradespeople adopted phones for efficiency, but they didn't stop talking to each other or training their apprentices. They integrated the technology.

Crucially, many experienced tradespeople hire apprentices not solely for cheap labour, but out of a sense of responsibility to their trade. They invest time and effort, often at a net cost initially, to ensure the skills, knowledge, and passion for the craft are passed down. It’s about legacy, community, and sustaining the industry for the future.

A Collaborative Future: Tradie, Apprentice, and Humanoid?

This inherent value placed on mentorship suggests that a complete replacement of apprentices by humanoids is unlikely, even if economically viable on paper. Instead, a more probable future involves a collaborative environment.

Imagine a scenario:

• The Experienced Tradesperson focuses on complex diagnostics, client interaction, project management, and overseeing the work.

• The Apprentice learns alongside the tradesperson, assists with varied tasks, develops critical thinking, and gains hands-on experience under supervision, potentially aided by the humanoid for grunt work.

• The Humanoid handles the physically taxing, repetitive, or dangerous tasks – fetching tools, holding heavy materials steady, accessing hazardous crawl spaces, performing preliminary site clean-up.

This model leverages the strengths of each: human experience and adaptability, apprentice learning and growth potential, and robotic strength and endurance for specific tasks. The humanoid becomes another tool in the toolkit, albeit a very advanced one, augmenting human capability rather than replacing human potential entirely.

Australian tradespeople have always been resourceful and adaptive. While the integration of advanced humanoids presents challenges and requires careful consideration of costs, ethics, and workforce impact, history suggests they will evaluate the technology pragmatically. If humanoids prove to be a valuable tool that enhances safety and efficiency, expect Aussie tradies to figure out the best way to integrate them, likely alongside, not instead of, the next generation of human apprentices. The future worksite might just be a team effort between seasoned hands, learning minds, and tireless machines.

Are you interested in discussing the concepts in this article further? Contact us (humans) at stephen@roboethics.com.au

*This article and image were created with the assistance of AI. This is an opinion piece only about a possible future and is not to be taken as legal advice.