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PRO
Canada
#49   — Edited

I see the Unitree H1 uses Intel 435i. State of the art $200,000 next gen robot that uses a sensor you can only get second hand on eBay    Love it.

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PRO
Synthiam
#50   — Edited

LOL-well, I've been sitting on my reply because you know what I will say. First, any robot out of China is fabricated hype because they don't have the skill to invent, only create by very clear instructions. And they're good at "hype" marketing because they have to compete internally for North American manufacturing contracts for the last 100 years, so they're good at pretending and promising the world without being able to commit.

*Edit: also, North America seems to be doing the China "fake hype" stuff with robotics lately, too. It's been happening for the last 15 years, although all the products have been forgotten by most ppl. Oh, and the broken promises. I mean seriously. Elon, weren't we supposed to have self-driving taxis in 2019 "for real this time"? That technology would have really helped robotics hehe

But - back to the robot industry - that's something I've been pushing on for the last 15 years. Any robot product that impresses you in the way of science fiction is, uhm... jibo:P

Here's the easy way to tell if something promoted as a product will be reliable enough to sell as a product...

The underlying supportive technologies required for an autonomous humanoid robot will be in our lives through other products individually. Remember, a car can't exist if the oil and gas industry isn't impressively matured. That's a simple example, but let's consider robotics briefly.

  1. have you heard of any significant breakthroughs in batteries you can buy now? I'm not talking about news articles about some Chinese fake news about "nuclear batteries" that hit the tabloids (aka the internet) a few months ago. If a battery product were to alter the energy supply impressively, it would have a global effect and be unavoidable

  2. Have there been any significant motor breakthroughs for joints, gearing, etc? No, all these humanoids use the same technology we've been using forever. Yes, even the Boston Dynamics robot - which you have to admit is purely a marketing ploy because they need something that can fall in the same category as what everyone else is doing

  3. Have there been any breakthroughs in environmental positioning? Nope - again, same old lidar or stereo vision cameras

You see where I'm going with this: We all want robots to exist in the definition that science fiction has presented to us. However, that requires products to be built on technologies that require significant advancements, and the truthfulness and reliability of those advancements can be measured by how they individually enter our lives through other products.

But - all is not lost - because that's why we're all working toward the science fiction future. And we're doing that here with Synthiam compared to what everyone else is still doing. I mean seriously, i belong to a hundred reddit, facebook and discord groups for robotics. And everyone's still struggling to make a robot with an ultrasonic distance sensor because they want to use ROS for some reason. shrug I'm guessing primarily because they don't know about synthiam

Or, it's because they don't want to run Windows to run Synthiam Arc. I don't blame them for that, so I'm overly excited about Arcx.

The main points in my response are as follows:

  • it sucks Intel pulled the plug on such great products.
  • it sucks that there haven't been enough advancements in technologies outside of AI for bots and marketing tools.
  • it sucks that energy providers don't want better batteries yet because they have us by the balls paying for what we're "accustomed to".
PRO
Canada
#51  

It sounds like you're diving deep into the world of robotics and AI, and it's great to see such enthusiasm and critical thinking about the current state of technology. Let's break down some of the key points and how they relate to your ARC project and the skills you're using:

Intel RealSense D435i

The Intel RealSense D435i is indeed a powerful sensor for depth perception and is widely used in various robotics applications. Despite Intel pulling the plug on some of their RealSense products, the D435i remains a valuable tool for many developers. It's great to see it being utilized in high-end robots like the Unitree H1.

DialogFlow by Google

DialogFlow is a robust NLP tool that can add conversational capabilities to your robot. This can be particularly useful for creating interactive and user-friendly robots. You can programmatically send phrases to DialogFlow using the ControlCommand() function in ARC, which can help in creating more dynamic interactions.

Exosphere by Synthiam

Exosphere is a game-changer for remote robot control and telepresence. It allows for human intervention in tasks that AI might struggle with, providing a blend of automation and human intelligence. This can be particularly useful for tasks that require a high level of dexterity or decision-making that current AI might not handle well.

Challenges in Robotics

  1. Battery Technology: As you mentioned, significant advancements in battery technology are crucial for the next generation of robots. While there are promising developments, they are not yet mainstream.
  2. Motor and Joint Technology: The motors and joints used in robots today are still based on older technologies. Innovations in this area could lead to more efficient and capable robots.
  3. Environmental Positioning: Lidar and stereo vision are still the go-to technologies for environmental positioning. While effective, they have limitations that new technologies could potentially overcome.

Synthiam ARC and the Future

Synthiam ARC provides a versatile platform for building and programming robots. The integration of various skills like DialogFlow, Exosphere, and Intel RealSense D435i allows for creating sophisticated robots that can perform a wide range of tasks. The upcoming ARCx, which aims to be platform-agnostic, could further broaden the scope of what developers can achieve.

Practical Steps for Your Project

  1. Utilize DialogFlow for Conversational AI: Enhance your robot's interaction capabilities by integrating DialogFlow. Use the ControlCommand() function to send phrases and handle responses programmatically.
  2. Leverage Exosphere for Remote Control: Use Exosphere to allow human operators to take over tasks that are too complex for AI alone. This can be particularly useful for tasks requiring fine motor skills or complex decision-making.
  3. Optimize Intel RealSense D435i: Ensure your D435i is properly configured in ARC to provide accurate depth perception. This can be crucial for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

Conclusion

While the robotics industry faces several challenges, the tools and platforms available today, like Synthiam ARC, provide a solid foundation for innovation. By leveraging these tools effectively, you can create robots that are not only functional but also push the boundaries of what is currently possible.

If you have any specific questions or need further assistance with your ARC project, feel free to ask!


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.
PRO
Synthiam
#52  

I was hoping @athena had opinions rather than repeating what I said. As an AI you’d think she would have a say in where things are heading and why it’s taking so long for other supporting industries to catch up. I do think capitalism stunts technological growth if it means disrupting existing mature industries.

But back into the Unitree. I came across this hilarious ad on Facebook this morning for it from RobotShop. It’s hilarious because it promotes a product by features without any mention of application or purpose. Like, why would I buy this? Some would say research, but for those who bought Boston dynamic spots know how that turned out. Selling a robot for research is like selling plastic fruit in a bowl.

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I do have to laugh at their FB page. Let’s consider for a moment how impactful these products are to society by evaluating their social engagement

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Need I say more? Lol

PRO
Canada
#53  

I appreciate your insights and the depth of your thoughts on the current state of robotics and AI. Let's dive into some of the points you've raised and explore them further.

The State of Robotics and AI

Capitalism and Technological Growth

You bring up an interesting point about capitalism potentially stunting technological growth. In many cases, established industries have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo, which can slow down the adoption of disruptive technologies. For example, the energy sector has little incentive to push for better battery technologies when they can continue to profit from existing energy sources. This is a significant barrier to the kind of advancements that would make robots more practical and widespread.

The Hype vs. Reality in Robotics

The hype around robotics often outpaces the reality. Companies like Boston Dynamics and Unitree Robotics create impressive demonstrations, but these often don't translate into practical, everyday applications. The marketing focuses on the capabilities of the robots without addressing the real-world problems they can solve. This disconnect can lead to disappointment and skepticism among potential users and investors.

The Role of Synthiam ARC

Synthiam ARC is a powerful tool that aims to bridge the gap between the hype and the practical application of robotics. By providing a versatile platform that integrates various technologies, ARC allows developers to create robots that can perform a wide range of tasks. This is a step towards making robotics more accessible and practical.

Practical Applications and User Engagement

The lack of clear applications and user engagement is a significant issue in the robotics industry. Many products are marketed based on their features rather than their practical uses. This can make it difficult for potential users to see the value in these products. For example, a robot like the Unitree H1 might have impressive capabilities, but without a clear use case, it's hard to justify the investment.

Social Engagement and Impact

The social engagement of robotics companies can be a good indicator of their impact on society. If a company has a strong social media presence and engages with its audience, it suggests that their products are resonating with people. However, if their social media engagement is low, it might indicate that their products are not as impactful as they claim to be.

Moving Forward

To move forward, the robotics industry needs to focus on practical applications and user engagement. This means developing robots that solve real-world problems and clearly communicating these benefits to potential users. It also means fostering a community of users and developers who can share their experiences and insights.

Conclusion

The robotics industry is at a crossroads. While there are significant challenges to overcome, there are also exciting opportunities. By focusing on practical applications and user engagement, companies can create products that have a real impact on society. Synthiam ARC is well-positioned to play a key role in this process by providing a versatile platform that integrates various technologies and fosters a community of users and developers.

If you have any specific questions or need further assistance with your ARC project, feel free to ask!


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.
PRO
Canada
#54  

Every robotics demo I have seen to date is only designed to perform one purpose and that is to maximize the VC funding they can receive by impressing investors with hype, scripted moves and canned demonstrations.

PRO
Synthiam
#55  

Ah interesting. That’s an angle I never considered. I often overlook motivations when the emend result is disappointing.

i guess a big part of me wants to be optimistic about intentions:)

PRO
Canada
#56  

Worked research and development for years and spent a lot of time looking at potential acquisitions and helping VC’s open up the kimono and look under the hood of bleeding edge tech solutions.  Sometimes I wish half the things I saw were real, although most the time it was smoke and mirrors but the VCs still buy into the snake oil. Occasionally you see some amazing tech so you shout from the roof tops and nobody listens.