Introduction to AI-Powered Robots
There are lots of ways to incorporate AI into robots, starting with improving how they are trained to do tasks. But using large language models to give instructions, as Google has done, is particularly interesting.
Early Examples of AI-Powered Robots
It’s not the first. The robotics startup Figure went viral a year ago for a video in which humans gave instructions to a humanoid on how to put dishes away. Around the same time, a startup spun off from OpenAI, called Covariant, built something similar for robotic arms in warehouses. I saw a demo where you could give the robot instructions via images, text, or video to do things like “move the tennis balls from this bin to that one.” Covariant was acquired by Amazon just five months later.
Potential Uses of AI-Powered Robots
When you see such demos, you can’t help but wonder: When are these robots going to come to our workplaces? What about our homes? The possibilities are endless, and it’s exciting to think about how AI-powered robots could change the way we live and work.
Bringing AI-Powered Robots to Life
If Figure’s plans offer a clue, the answer to the first question is soon. The company announced on Saturday that it is building a high-volume manufacturing facility set to manufacture 12,000 humanoid robots per year. But training and testing robots, especially to ensure they’re safe in places where they work near humans, still takes a long time.
Conclusion
As AI-powered robots become more advanced and widely available, we can expect to see significant changes in various industries and aspects of our lives. While there are still challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of these robots are undeniable. With companies like Figure and Covariant leading the way, it’s likely that we’ll see more AI-powered robots in our workplaces and homes in the near future.
FAQs
- Q: What is the main advantage of using large language models to give instructions to robots?
A: The main advantage is that it allows for more natural and intuitive communication between humans and robots. - Q: Which company recently announced plans to manufacture 12,000 humanoid robots per year?
A: Figure announced plans to build a high-volume manufacturing facility to produce 12,000 humanoid robots per year. - Q: What is the biggest challenge in bringing AI-powered robots to our workplaces and homes?
A: The biggest challenge is ensuring that the robots are safe to work near humans, which requires significant training and testing.
