Humanoid Robots Learn to Work Like Humans

Boston Dynamics is increasingly using artificial intelligence to train its humanoid robot, Atlas, to perform real-world work tasks previously done by humans. In a recent 60 Minutes segment, the company showed how Atlas is being tested at Hyundai’s new Georgia factory, practicing duties like sorting roof racks on an assembly line. The modern Atlas blends machine learning with advanced hardware, using techniques like motion capture, simulation training, and direct human demonstration to learn movement and tasks that were once difficult to program manually. 

 

Boston Dynamics’ CEO and researchers acknowledge that while humanoids aren’t yet replacing large numbers of workers, they are poised to change the nature of labor by taking on repetitive or hazardous jobs, potentially relieving humans from backbreaking work and enabling operations in environments unsafe for people. They stress that robots will still require human oversight, maintenance, and training, and dismiss dystopian fears of autonomous machines running amok, even as the robotics industry races competitors globally and eyes a multi billion-dollar future market.

More information:

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/boston-dynamics-training-ai-humanoids-to-perform-human-jobs-60-minutes/

E-Nose

Researchers built an e-nose that can not only detect odors at the same speed as a mouse’s olfactory system, but also distinguish between odors by the specific patterns they produce over time when interacting with the e-nose’s sensor.

The e-nose uses metal oxide gas sensors with a sensing surface heated and cooled to between 150 °C and 400 °C at up to 20 times per second. Redox reactions take place on the sensing surface when it comes into direct contact with an odorant.

More information:

https://spectrum.ieee.org/electronic-nose

ERCIM News XR5.0 Article 2024

XR applications for manufacturing are built based on a one-size-fits-all philosophy that does not consider the characteristics of individual workers. Hence, they fall short when it comes to supporting the emerging wave of Industry 5.0 (I5.0) applications that are destined to be human-centric and emphasise trustworthy human-machine collaboration. I5.0 requires XR visualisations that consider the characteristics, skills, and context of the manufacturing worker, along with the peculiarities of their interactions with machinery, automation devices, and cyber physical production systems.

In this context, the newly started XR5.0 Horizon Europe Project will build, demonstrate, and validate a novel person-centric and AI-based XR paradigm that will be tailored to the requirements and nature of I5.0 applications. The project will specify blueprints for using XR in I5.0 applications with emphasis on the development of innovative XR-made-in-Europe technology that blends with human-centric manufacturing technologies and adheres to European values (e.g. trustworthiness, security/privacy-by-design, transparency) as reflected in relevant EU regulations and policies.

More information:

https://ercim-news.ercim.eu/en137/special/xr5-0-human-centric-ai-enabled-extended-reality-applications-for-the-industry-5-0-era