Humanoidi

Humanoidi (humanoids) are descriptive terms used for beings that resemble humans in form and stature. The word derives from Latin humanus combined with the suffix -oid, meaning form or likeness. In Italian usage, humanoidi refers to human-like beings, including both living organisms and artificial agents modeled on human anatomy.

In biology and anthropology, humanoid is not a formal taxonomic category. It is used to describe organisms or fossils that display a human-like body plan, typically an upright stance, a torso with two arms and two legs, and a head housing a brain capable of complex cognition. The term is especially common in paleoanthropology, xenobiology, and speculative discussions about extraterrestrial life. It does not imply that any non-human species is human.

In robotics and artificial intelligence, a humanoid robot is one designed to resemble the human body and, ideally, to imitate human motions and dexterity. This class includes robots with a head, trunk, two arms, and two legs, used in research, assistive tasks, and public-facing applications. Notable examples include Honda's ASIMO and other prototypes, each illustrating different approaches to bipedal locomotion, manipulation, and perception.

In culture and media, humanoids are common plot devices in science fiction to explore questions of consciousness, rights, and social interaction. The term is also used for fictional aliens and androids that share the human form, from benevolent helpers to formidable adversaries.

A related term is hominoid, a biological grouping that includes apes and humans, distinct from the broader, non-biological sense of humanoid.