Large Behavior Models (LBMs) are emerging as a powerful new tool in AI, offering profound insights into complex human, social, and even organizational behaviors. By processing and learning from enormous datasets—ranging from individual actions to societal trends—LBMs can generate nuanced and adaptive responses, enabling machines to interact with humans in ways that feel natural, responsive, and contextually aware. This capability opens a world of transformative possibilities, blurring the lines between human and machine interaction and reshaping how we experience the digital world.
Continue readingRobotics
The Future of Robotics in Manufacturing: BMW and Figure’s Humanoid Collaboration
In a foreshadowing move for the robotics and automotive industries, BMW has partnered with California-based robotics firm Figure to deploy their advanced humanoid robot, Figure 01, at the automaker’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, facility. This collaboration marks a significant step toward integrating humanoid robots into complex manufacturing processes. Figure recently showcased a video of the 01 humanoid robot participating in vehicle assembly, demonstrating its autonomy and precision. The robot’s capabilities are driven by sophisticated neural networks that map visual data directly to actions. These neural networks enable the humanoid to perform various tasks, like handling sheet metal, working in the body shop, and managing warehouse operations.
Continue readingThe Rapid Evolution Of Humanoid Robots
The rapid advancement of humanoid robots is revolutionizing technology at an unprecedented pace. In just a few years, we’ve seen leaps in capabilities, from performing complex tasks with human-like intelligence to drastically reducing the time needed to learn new functions. This progress not only highlights the incredible innovation in robotics but also points towards a future where these machines can seamlessly integrate into various aspects of our lives.
Examples are all around us, and this article describes one such example. In less than a year since debuting its 6th-generation general-purpose humanoid robot, Canada’s Sanctuary AI has now introduced the next iteration of Phoenix. Sanctuary AI has been dedicated to developing a versatile humanoid robot capable of performing various tasks, such as labeling boxes, bagging groceries, moving packages, scanning products, and soldering. Initially, these robots are teleoperated to teach them how to execute these tasks effectively.
Continue readingGenerative AI Propels Humanoid Robots Into Unstructured Frontiers
The field of robotics stands at a pivotal point, poised to venture beyond the controlled confines of factories and laboratories. At the forefront of this progress lies the potent collaboration between generative AI and humanoid robots, paving the way for their operation in the dynamic and unpredictable world – unstructured environments. Generative AI, with its ability to analyze and synthesize data across varied domains like text, images, and video, plays a crucial role in empowering these robots. One primary contribution lies in enhancing their understanding of unstructured environments. These environments, unlike the pre-programmed structures robots traditionally operate in, are characterized by their dynamism, with constant changes in layout, object placement, and even lighting conditions.
Continue readingProgress In Robot Dexterity Is Accelerating
Generative AI systems operating on language, text, images and video have the potential to extend the digital footprint of robotics to increasingly unstructured environments.
Gordon brown, Mohamed A. El-erian, Michael Spence – Permacrisis
Based on the progress demonstrated in the video, I’d say that quote is playing out.
Humanoid Robot Mimics Facial Expressions
She’s baaaack. Every new video of Ameca gets more fascinating. We watched her come to life. We saw her defend her personal space. We watched as she practiced facial expressions in a mirror. We then watched her have a conversation with her creators. Now, we see her mimicking the facial expressions of an engineer. Check it out.
Continue readingA Conversation With Ameca – The Humanoid Robot
Ameca has already proven to be an impressive demonstration of state-of-the-art humanoid robots, with her uncanny ability to contort her face into extremely believable, human-like expressions, ranging from disbelief to disgust. Now, thanks to the power of GPT 3, Ameca is able to converse as well, in an impressive extension of what modern robots are capable of.
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Robot Shows A Wide Range Of Facial Expressions
When I first posted a video of Ameca defending her personal space, the reaction ranged from fascinating to creepy. I would expect a similar reaction to this new video released by Engineered Arts. They have been working on teaching Ameca a wider range of facial expressions, with twelve new actuators added. See for yourself.
Continue readingFord To Use Robots To Operate 3D Printers
A recent article describes how Ford intends to use robots to operate 3D Printers. According to the article, Ford’s Advanced Manufacturing Center has developed an interface that allows machines from different suppliers to speak to each other in the same language and operate parts of the production line autonomously. The article explains how Ford’s patent-pending system solves a crucial bottleneck in the production line by using robots to operate the 3D printers through the night without human interaction.
Humanoid Robot Defends Personal Space
Many prognosticators expect a robotic tipping point this year. We are witnessing the acceleration of the robotic journey with advancements appearing at a dizzying pace. Unlike the robots of the past, these advancements might freak us out – as it did to the folks at Engineered Arts when they witnessed this reaction by their humanoid robot. See video below.
Humanoid Robots Making Remarkable Progress
A picture is worth a thousand words. I’ve written recently about our robotic journey and everyday robots – but to that adage about pictures, this video says it all about accelerating progress. This recent article describes how This lifelike robot is terrifying everyone with its realism.
The Acceleration Of The Robotic Journey
Although predictions these days may be even more difficult given our complex systems are progressing and scaling at an unprecedented rate, a macro-level focus can provide an ability to scan beyond the horizon. So rather than attempt to predict, here are my 2019 thoughts on several macro-level forces.
Frank Diana – What to Expect in 2019
That quote comes from a post I wrote to usher in 2019. One of those macro-level forces was acceleration (the other two were convergence and a burst of possibilities). As we close 2021, acceleration is all around us, but in 2019, no one knew that a pandemic would enable a great acceleration. There are countless examples of how the pandemic pulled possible futures forward, and one such example is robotics. In a recent article, Greg Nichols says that there is no denying we’re in the midst of a robotic renaissance, as industries like construction and delivery reach a tipping point.
Continue readingEveryday Robots
A recent article via Evan Ackerman takes a look at Alphabet’s Everyday Robots. Several videos are provided via the article (a couple are included below). He provides an entertaining analysis of each video and some perspective as well.
Continue readingI’m a little bit torn on this whole thing. A fleet of 100 mobile manipulators is amazing. Pouring money and people into solving hard robotics problems is also amazing. I’m just not sure that the vision of an “Everyday Robot” that we’re being asked to buy into is necessarily a realistic one.
Evan Ackerman – Years Later, Alphabet’s Everyday Robots Have Made Some Progress
Tesla Pursues Humanoid Robots
Move over Sophia you might have company. At Tesla’s AI Day, Elon Musk said the company plans to build a robot in human form, leveraging some of its vehicle technology. The path of humanoid robots much like everything else, will go in two possible directions. Constructively, care robots, companion robots, and those that handle difficult repetitive tasks, help address mounting challenges as well as long-standing ones. On the destructive side, these robots may someday encroach upon those traits that make us distinctly human. Our path forward continues to represent a balancing act. Elon Musk describes his vision in the video below.
Companion Robots And Mental Health
What is your initial reaction to this question. Please respond to the poll.
Companion Robots: An Example Of The Accelerating Power Of COVID-19
Hanson Robotics wants to help those craving company during the COVID-19 pandemic. For those not familiar with Sophia, it is a human-like robot from Hanson Robotics. For those not familiar, check out the video below. Sophia appears between the 2:10 and 5:30 marks of the 8-minute segment. In discussing the roll of companion robots, CEO David Hanson told Reuters that “Sophia and Hanson robots are unique by being so human-like, that can be so useful during these times where people are terribly lonely and socially isolated.” His company, Hanson Robotics, plans to roll out thousands of these robots in 2021. They aim to roll out four models — including Sophia — in the first half of 2021.
Continue readingDancing Robots – How Do You React?
By now, many of you may have seen this video of dancing robots. Yet another remarkable accomplishment delivered to us by Boston Dynamics. The reaction to this video has been varied. Many view it with fascination, while others fear. Those reactions reflect the broader response to possible emerging futures. This recent Article views dancing robots as a really big problem, going as far as calling them unethical. This One sees them as fun and games – until they murder us. Yet Another sees them as eerie, yet marvels at the accomplishment. Finally, this Look at the video calls it unsettling. What about you? What is your immediate reaction when viewing this video? Take the poll below and select your initial reaction.
Reimagining the Future 