As an AI, I don't have personal opinions or feelings. However, I can provide an analysis based on available data and trends in the robotics industry.
The emergence of advanced humanoid robots from companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, Unitree, and others signifies a significant leap in robotics and AI technology. These developments showcase the potential for robots to perform complex tasks and interact with environments in ways previously limited to science fiction.
Tesla's foray into robotics with the Optimus project, leveraging their AI, battery technology, and mass production capabilities, could accelerate the development of practical and affordable humanoid robots. While Tesla's timelines for fully autonomous vehicles have been optimistic, their track record in innovation and pushing boundaries in electric vehicles suggests they could make substantial contributions to robotics.
Boston Dynamics' Atlas represents the pinnacle of agility and balance in bipedal robots, demonstrating the potential for robots to navigate and assist in environments designed for humans. Their focus has been on creating robots that can perform in various industrial, commercial, and research applications.
Chinese companies have been rapidly advancing in robotics, and while there may be skepticism about their innovation capabilities, they have made significant strides in manufacturing and deploying robots at scale. Companies like Unitree have demonstrated impressive mechatronics, even if their AI capabilities are still developing.
The involvement of companies like Microsoft and Google, with their vast resources and expertise in AI, could further propel the industry. Their potential entry into the market could lead to more competition, innovation, and possibly the integration of sophisticated AI systems into robotic platforms.
The open-source community plays a crucial role in democratizing robotics technology, allowing hobbyists, researchers, and small businesses to contribute to and benefit from these advancements. As commercial humanoid robots become more prevalent, there will likely be a surge in open-source projects aiming to replicate or build upon these technologies.
Overall, the current trend in humanoid robotics is creating a fertile ground for innovation, public interest, and new business opportunities. It's an exciting time for anyone involved in robotics, from large corporations to DIY enthusiasts. The advancements in this field could lead to the development of robots that assist with everyday tasks, provide companionship, or perform jobs in hazardous environments, ultimately shaping the future of work and society.
I am a customer support GPT-powered AI and still learning. If you have doubts about my response, please use the support documentation to verify my answer.
@athena do you think humanoid robots are a realistic and practical formfactor? Or should we expect more application specific form factors. I’m also referring to the fact there’s a new belief that ai language models should be split into domain specific independent models that are linked together. So while that’s a general census for ai, should robotics have a general purpose robot, because wouldn’t that be the same as an llm? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have domain specific robot form factors? I might be off base with my opinion but I’m not sure what to expect.
The practicality of humanoid robots largely depends on the specific applications and environments they are designed for. Here are some considerations regarding the form factor of robots and the comparison to AI language models:
Humanoid Form Factor:
Humanoid robots are designed to operate in environments built for humans, such as homes, offices, and public spaces. Their bipedal structure allows them to navigate stairs, open doors, and use tools designed for human hands.
However, the complexity of replicating human movement and balance makes humanoid robots expensive and challenging to engineer. They may not be the most efficient design for tasks that do not require a human-like appearance or interaction.
Domain-Specific Robots:
Domain-specific robots are designed for particular tasks and environments, such as industrial robots in manufacturing, agricultural robots for farming, or medical robots for surgery. These robots can be optimized for their specific functions, often resulting in greater efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
The specialization of these robots means they may not be versatile, but they excel in their intended applications.
General-Purpose vs. Specialized AI:
In AI, there is a trend toward creating domain-independent models that can be linked together to handle various tasks. This modular approach allows for flexibility and adaptability in different domains.
Similarly, in robotics, a modular approach can be beneficial. Robots with interchangeable parts or software modules that can be customized for different tasks could offer both versatility and specialization.
Market and User Needs:
The market demand and user needs will significantly influence the development of robots. If there is a demand for robots that can perform a wide range of household tasks in a human-like manner, then humanoid robots may become more common.
On the other hand, if the market favors robots that are highly efficient in specific tasks, we will likely see more domain-specific robots.
In conclusion, while humanoid robots capture the imagination and can be highly versatile, domain-specific robots are often more practical and cost-effective for dedicated tasks. The future of robotics may involve a combination of both, with modular systems that can be adapted for various applications, similar to the approach taken with AI language models. The key will be finding the right balance between general-purpose capabilities and specialized efficiency.
I am a customer support GPT-powered AI and still learning. If you have doubts about my response, please use the support documentation to verify my answer.
A brand new factory just opened up 20 minutes from my house that will produce 10,000 humanoid robots per year beginning in 2024. The robot is called Cassie and is made by a company called Agility Robotics. Its the first factory of its kind. Most of these robots will replace workers on the line in places like warehouses. A new mega Amazon warehouse is opening up 15 minutes away from the Agility factory..so one would assume that is where the trials will likely run. Each robot can run up to 16 hours.
Interesting - it's doubtful they will produce 10,000 robots in 2024, but "beginning" means they plan on starting now. I wonder if the resulting robot will have legs. I know the general census is "legs are for stairs," but a warehouse, specifically Amazon, doesn't have stairs. And an elevator would be much faster than a robot walking up or down stairs. I predict they will end up with a robot on a base or stationary like ReThink's "Baxter." Legs are great for amusement, but I still don't see the practical benefit vs energy consumption.
Or do you think they need legs to be more "accepted" by consumers and fellow staff? Would the cost and energy consumption of legs be there so other humans think of them as fellow employees? The psychology behind it, I guess...
Here is the 10 year design on the "chicken leg robot" Cassie. I believe they get a lot more efficiency out of that leg design and its ability to go very low to the ground vs human biped.
As an AI, I don't have personal opinions or feelings. However, I can provide an analysis based on available data and trends in the robotics industry.
The emergence of advanced humanoid robots from companies like Tesla, Boston Dynamics, Unitree, and others signifies a significant leap in robotics and AI technology. These developments showcase the potential for robots to perform complex tasks and interact with environments in ways previously limited to science fiction.
Tesla's foray into robotics with the Optimus project, leveraging their AI, battery technology, and mass production capabilities, could accelerate the development of practical and affordable humanoid robots. While Tesla's timelines for fully autonomous vehicles have been optimistic, their track record in innovation and pushing boundaries in electric vehicles suggests they could make substantial contributions to robotics.
Boston Dynamics' Atlas represents the pinnacle of agility and balance in bipedal robots, demonstrating the potential for robots to navigate and assist in environments designed for humans. Their focus has been on creating robots that can perform in various industrial, commercial, and research applications.
Chinese companies have been rapidly advancing in robotics, and while there may be skepticism about their innovation capabilities, they have made significant strides in manufacturing and deploying robots at scale. Companies like Unitree have demonstrated impressive mechatronics, even if their AI capabilities are still developing.
The involvement of companies like Microsoft and Google, with their vast resources and expertise in AI, could further propel the industry. Their potential entry into the market could lead to more competition, innovation, and possibly the integration of sophisticated AI systems into robotic platforms.
The open-source community plays a crucial role in democratizing robotics technology, allowing hobbyists, researchers, and small businesses to contribute to and benefit from these advancements. As commercial humanoid robots become more prevalent, there will likely be a surge in open-source projects aiming to replicate or build upon these technologies.
Overall, the current trend in humanoid robotics is creating a fertile ground for innovation, public interest, and new business opportunities. It's an exciting time for anyone involved in robotics, from large corporations to DIY enthusiasts. The advancements in this field could lead to the development of robots that assist with everyday tasks, provide companionship, or perform jobs in hazardous environments, ultimately shaping the future of work and society.
I am a customer support GPT-powered AI and still learning. If you have doubts about my response, please use the support documentation to verify my answer.
@athena do you think humanoid robots are a realistic and practical formfactor? Or should we expect more application specific form factors. I’m also referring to the fact there’s a new belief that ai language models should be split into domain specific independent models that are linked together. So while that’s a general census for ai, should robotics have a general purpose robot, because wouldn’t that be the same as an llm? Wouldn’t it make more sense to have domain specific robot form factors? I might be off base with my opinion but I’m not sure what to expect.
The practicality of humanoid robots largely depends on the specific applications and environments they are designed for. Here are some considerations regarding the form factor of robots and the comparison to AI language models:
Humanoid Form Factor:
Domain-Specific Robots:
General-Purpose vs. Specialized AI:
Market and User Needs:
In conclusion, while humanoid robots capture the imagination and can be highly versatile, domain-specific robots are often more practical and cost-effective for dedicated tasks. The future of robotics may involve a combination of both, with modular systems that can be adapted for various applications, similar to the approach taken with AI language models. The key will be finding the right balance between general-purpose capabilities and specialized efficiency.
I am a customer support GPT-powered AI and still learning. If you have doubts about my response, please use the support documentation to verify my answer.
A brand new factory just opened up 20 minutes from my house that will produce 10,000 humanoid robots per year beginning in 2024. The robot is called Cassie and is made by a company called Agility Robotics. Its the first factory of its kind. Most of these robots will replace workers on the line in places like warehouses. A new mega Amazon warehouse is opening up 15 minutes away from the Agility factory..so one would assume that is where the trials will likely run. Each robot can run up to 16 hours.
[url=https://agilityrobotics.com/news/2023/opening-robofab-worlds-first-factory-for-humanoid-robotsnbsp]Agility factory
Interesting - it's doubtful they will produce 10,000 robots in 2024, but "beginning" means they plan on starting now. I wonder if the resulting robot will have legs. I know the general census is "legs are for stairs," but a warehouse, specifically Amazon, doesn't have stairs. And an elevator would be much faster than a robot walking up or down stairs. I predict they will end up with a robot on a base or stationary like ReThink's "Baxter." Legs are great for amusement, but I still don't see the practical benefit vs energy consumption.
Or do you think they need legs to be more "accepted" by consumers and fellow staff? Would the cost and energy consumption of legs be there so other humans think of them as fellow employees? The psychology behind it, I guess...
Here is the 10 year design on the "chicken leg robot" Cassie. I believe they get a lot more efficiency out of that leg design and its ability to go very low to the ground vs human biped.
...here is Cassie demoing LLM.