Google Gemini Is Taking Control of Humanoid Robots on Auto Factory Floors
For several decades, Boston Dynamics has been a pioneer in the development of advanced robots, including humanoids and four-legged systems tested by the military to transport supplies over rugged terrain. The company was sold to Google in 2013 and purchased by SoftBank in 2017. In 2021, Hyundai acquired a majority stake.
In recent years, advances in motors, batteries, sensors and other components have made it easier for startups and other companies to compete in robotics. More than a dozen companies in the United States, including Agility Robotics, Figure AI, Apptronik, 1X and Tesla, are working on humanoid systems. Overseas, competition is even fiercer, with about 200 Chinese companies developing humanoid systems, according to CMRA, a Chinese industry association.
Many AI companies are turning to robotics, believing that AI models need a deeper understanding of the physical world to achieve human-like intelligence. OpenAI would develop humanoids. Tesla introduced a humanoid called Optimus. Several startups are also working on models designed to allow robots to quickly master various physical tasks. Some hope to deploy human-like robots as home helpers, despite their current limitations.
Google DeepMind hired the former Boston Dynamics CTO in November. Rather than building its own robots, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, said he envisions Gemini being used by many different robot makers, similar to how Android works on a wide range of smartphones.
Although no one knows the best way to endow machines with the kind of physical intelligence that humans take for granted, adding artificial intelligence to industrial systems could significantly increase their usefulness.
Likewise, data collected by Boston Dynamics’ machines will help improve Gemini’s ability to operate in the physical world, according to Playter.
Carolina Parada, senior director of robotics at Google DeepMind, notes that Gemini was designed to be multimodal, making it well suited to understanding and learning about the physical world. “Google DeepMind’s goal in robotics is to create advanced AI that can power general-purpose robots,” Parada said in an interview with WIRED. “Automotive is a great place to start, but our intention is certainly to continue to expand into more and more applications. »
If AI takes control of physical systems, this could also introduce new risks. Parada says that in addition to the security controls already built into Boston Dynamics’ systems, Gemini will perform artificial reasoning to anticipate and prevent potentially dangerous behavior.
Playter says being able to guarantee human safety will be crucial if humanoid robots are to take off. “Even the smallest ones can be dangerous,” he admits.
