Humanoid robots have long been a staple of science fiction, but now real progress is being made. Various recent models developed by corporations resembling Boston Dynamics, Tesla And OpenAI can walk and move like humans and have excellent skills and dexterity.
But it’s the flexibility to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into these humanoid robots that would allow them to make the leap into on a regular basis life. AI-powered “brains” could help dramatically improve the best way humanoid robots interact with humans and the skin world. This would give humanoid robots their “iPhone moment,” meaning they might experience a significant breakthrough available in the market.
Large language modelsthe technology behind AI chatbots like ChatGPT from OpenAI have shown that they’re good at learning from the massive amounts of knowledge they’re fed and are good at choosing the suitable information and using it to think. They are the important thing to something that “embodied intelligence”.
Embodied intelligence is the mixing of cognitive processes into physical actions, much like how our brain controls our limbs. The goal of embodied intelligence is to enable robots to interact with the world in the same technique to humans. This concept relies on large language models and visual AI systems that help computers understand objects in videos and pictures.
It creates machine logic in regards to the relationships between the observer and the objects and helps the robot understand how interactions between them might occur. LLMs alone wouldn’t necessarily act because the robot's “brain,” however the technology could help improve their overall interaction with the world.
An excellent example is an AI system developed by Google called PaLM-EThe engineers who developed PaLM-E trained it to directly ingest raw data streams from robot sensors. The resulting AI system enabled the robot to learn very effectively.
This field is evolving so quickly that by the point I finish writing this text, a brand new, progressive AI model or paradigm may already be published. Advances like PaLM-E are giving humanoids visual-spatial intelligence, allowing them to grasp our world without the necessity for extensive programming.
From the factory to your personal home
The potential applications of humanoid robots are extensive and varied. Early modern research in humanoid robotics focused on developing robots to be used in extreme environments which might be dangerous and difficult to access for human operators. These include NASA's Valkyrie robotdesigned for space exploration. However, we are going to probably first see business humanoid robots utilized in controlled environments resembling manufacturing.
Robots like Tesla's Optimus could revolutionize manufacturing and logistics by taking over tasks that require precision and endurance. They could work side-by-side with human employees, increasing productivity and safety.
In a factory, for instance, Optimus could handle hazardous materials, perform quality control, and assist with assembly processes. The recent Boston Dynamics Atlas2, announced a couple of months ago, already shows some use cases to be used in factories, resembling lifting and storing heavy components.
Beyond industrial applications, humanoid robots could also find their place in the house. Imagine a future where Optimus helps with on a regular basis tasks like cleansing, cooking, and even caring for the elderly.
Beginning of the 12 months Aloha robot from Stanford University went viral on the web for demonstrating its ability to independently prepare Chinese food, put dishes in a dishwasher, make beds, and put laundry within the closet. Eventually, we might even see humanoids in additional skilled fields, resembling in hospitals for nursing tasks or in public safety, where skilled expertise and high levels of acceptance by the population are required.
Marketability
The technological potential of humanoid robots is undeniable, however the market viability of such products stays uncertain. Their acceptance and success shall be influenced by several aspects, including cost, reliability and public perception.
Historically, the introduction of recent technologies has often faced hurdles related to consumer confidence and affordability. For Tesla's Optimus to be commercially successful, it is going to have to not only prove its technical capabilities but additionally exhibit concrete advantages that outweigh the prices.
There are also ethical considerations. For example, who has access to all the info the robot collects because it interacts with humans, sometimes in highly private moments? There can be the chance that humanoid robots could displace jobs, resembling in elderly care, where they may play a key role.
These ethical aspects will play an important role in shaping public opinion and the regulatory framework. Science fiction creator Isaac Asimov developed three laws of robotics for effective interaction between humans and robots. In short, they state that a robot may not harm a human, that a robot must obey the orders of humans, and that a robot must protect its own existence so long as doing so doesn’t conflict with the primary or second law.
These laws should still be relevant as current debates should not limited to humanoid robots but additionally include all high-level autonomous systems that would pose societal risks and cybersecurity issues.
But it is vital to keep in mind that current AI continues to be removed from the actual intelligence we all know. The scenarios depicted in movies resembling AI: Artificial IntelligenceDirected by Steven Spielberg, or I, the robotwith Will Smith within the leading role, it shouldn’t be expected that this may occur within the near future.
We need experts from a wide range of fields, including robotics, ethics and economics, to take part in the event of humanoid robots. Their insights shall be crucial to addressing the challenges and opportunities this technology brings.
As we stand on the brink of this recent technological frontier, it is vital to think not only about what is feasible, but additionally what’s desirable for our collective future. As I watch the grass in my garden grow steadily, all I can take into consideration is a humanoid robot mowing it – after making me a calming cup of tea.
