An inside look at how Nvidia and AI power the next generation of humanoid robots

Yahoo Finance
12 Aug 202413:42

TLDREngineers at Apptronics Austin lab are advancing humanoid robots powered by AI and Nvidia's chips, aiming for versatile robots capable of thousands of tasks. Yahoo Finance explores this technology, highlighting breakthroughs in teleoperation and zero-shot learning, enabling robots to learn from human demonstration. The market, projected to hit $38 billion, could revolutionize labor with companies like Tesla entering the fray. Nvidia's ecosystem, including the Omniverse for digital training, is accelerating development, with generative AI allowing robots to watch and learn, potentially transforming the economy and labor force.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 The future of robotics is being shaped by AI, with engineers at Apptroniks Austin lab working on the next generation of humanoid robots.
  • 🧠 Generative AI is making the concept of a general-purpose humanoid robot a reality, using vast amounts of data and powerful chips from Nvidia.
  • 🏭 Robots are evolving from performing a single task to being able to perform thousands of different tasks, which could revolutionize the labor force.
  • 🤝 Nvidia is at the center of this technological advancement, providing the chips and AI technology that empower these robots.
  • 💡 The concept of 'zero shot learning' is highlighted, where robots can perform tasks after observing humans, without the need for extensive programming.
  • 📈 The humanoid robot market is growing, with companies like Tesla competing in a market projected to reach $38 billion, according to Goldman Sachs.
  • 👷‍♂️ Robots like Apollo are designed to work alongside humans, with physical capabilities similar to an average human, including lifting heavy payloads.
  • 🔧 The development of robots has been accelerated by AI, allowing them to learn from observation rather than needing to be explicitly programmed for each task.
  • 🤲 Dextrous manipulation, such as Apollo's hand movements, is a significant focus, as it is a complex task for robots to master.
  • 💰 Investments in AI and robotics are increasing, with big tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft setting new funding records this year.
  • 🔑 Nvidia's ecosystem for humanoids includes high-powered chips and the Omniverse, a digital platform for training robots in simulated environments.
  • 🔮 The potential for humanoid robots is vast, with predictions of thousands of robots working in various industries and even in homes in the near future.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video script about robotics and AI?

    -The script focuses on the development of the next generation of humanoid robots powered by AI, particularly highlighting the work of Nvidia and the advancements in generative AI that enable these robots to perform a wide range of tasks.

  • What is the significance of Nvidia's role in the development of humanoid robots?

    -Nvidia is central to the development of these robots due to its high-powered chips and the Omniverse platform, which allows for training robots in a digital environment before applying those skills in the real world.

  • How does the concept of 'teleoperation' work in training robots like Apollo?

    -Teleoperation involves a human operator controlling the robot through a VR headset and controllers, teaching the robot how to perform tasks by moving its hands and interacting with objects, which is processed as data to create a mental model for the robot.

  • What is the 'zero shot learning' that the script mentions?

    -'Zero shot learning' refers to the ability of a robot to perform a task after being shown how to do it just once, without the need for extensive training or programming.

  • What is the estimated market size for humanoid robots according to Goldman Sachs?

    -Goldman Sachs projects the humanoid robot market to reach $38 billion.

  • What are the physical capabilities of the Apollo robot developed by Apptroniks?

    -The Apollo robot is 5'8, weighs 160 pounds, and can lift 55 pounds with its two arms and two legs, designed to work alongside humans in industrial settings.

  • How does generative AI enhance the development of humanoid robots?

    -Generative AI allows robots to process more data more quickly, enabling them to watch and learn from human movements without the need for detailed programming for each action.

  • What is the 'dextrous manipulation' mentioned in the context of Apollo's hands?

    -Dextrous manipulation refers to the advanced ability of Apollo's hands to grab and sense objects, which is a complex task for robots to learn, involving a network of sensors built into the hand.

  • What is the current state of investment in the humanoid robot industry?

    -Investments are flowing into the industry, with big tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft backing it, and funding reaching new records this year according to CB Insights.

  • What are the potential implications of widespread humanoid robot adoption for the labor force?

    -The adoption of humanoid robots could have significant implications for the labor force, as these robots are capable of performing a wide range of tasks, potentially reducing the demand for human labor in certain sectors.

  • What are the safety and security concerns associated with humanoid robots working alongside humans?

    -There are concerns about physical safety, ensuring robots can work safely alongside humans without causing harm, as well as cybersecurity to prevent hacking and ensure the robots can be safely shut down if necessary.

  • What is the vision for the future of humanoid robots in everyday life?

    -The vision is that in the future, every house will have a robot, possibly of a humanoid form, that can perform a wide range of tasks, making them an integral part of daily life.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Next-Gen Humanoid Robots

This paragraph introduces the advancements in robotics at Austin's lab, where engineers are developing multifunctional humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence. The script describes the potential of these robots to perform a wide range of tasks, unlike their predecessors that were limited to single functions. The role of Nvidia in this technological leap is highlighted, with its chips and generative AI enabling robots to learn from vast datasets. The market potential for such robots is underscored, with Goldman Sachs projecting it to reach $38 billion, indicating a significant shift in the labor force. The script also touches on the process of teleoperation, where a human operator can train a robot like Apollo through VR, contributing to its machine learning process.

05:01

🚀 Investments and Breakthroughs in Humanoid Robotics

The second paragraph delves into the financial backing and technological progress in the humanoid robotics sector. Investments from tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft are setting new funding records, and companies like Tesla and EP Tronics are leading the charge with their respective humanoid robots. The script discusses the concept of zero-shot learning, where robots can perform tasks after observing humans just once. Nvidia's contribution is again emphasized, with its ecosystem allowing for the training of robots in a digital environment before real-world application. The paragraph also mentions the potential for these robots to transform various industries, especially in the face of a labor shortage, and the importance of cost reduction for wider adoption.

10:01

🛠 The Versatility and Future of Humanoid Robots

The final paragraph discusses the versatility of humanoid robots and their potential to fill labor gaps across various industries. It highlights the importance of safety, both physical and cybersecurity, as these robots work alongside humans. The script also contemplates the future of humanoid robots, suggesting that every household might have one, similar to personal computers or smartphones. The potential applications range from industrial work to elder care, emphasizing the need for robots that can perform multiple tasks. The paragraph concludes with a vision of a future where robots are an integral part of daily life, offering assistance in various forms.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Humanoid Robots

Humanoid robots are robotic systems designed to mimic the physical appearance and movements of humans. They are central to the video's theme, which explores the development of next-generation robots powered by AI. In the script, we see how engineers at Apptronics are creating robots like Apollo, which are built to work alongside humans and perform a variety of tasks, showcasing the potential of humanoid robots to revolutionize industries and daily life.

💡Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. AI is the driving force behind the next generation of robots featured in the video. It enables these robots to learn from data, perform complex tasks, and adapt to new situations, as illustrated by the way Apollo is trained to pack a box and clear a table through teleoperation.

💡Generative AI

Generative AI is a subset of AI that focuses on creating new content based on learned patterns. In the context of the video, generative AI is making the concept of a general-purpose humanoid robot a reality by allowing them to learn from vast amounts of data and perform a wide range of tasks. The script mentions how this technology is backed by Nvidia, leading to new possibilities in robotics.

💡Nvidia

Nvidia is a leading company in the field of computer hardware, known for its high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) and AI technologies. The video highlights Nvidia's role in advancing humanoid robots by providing the computational power and technology needed for AI to function effectively. Nvidia's chips and Omniverse platform are central to the development and training of robots like Apollo.

💡Teleoperation

Teleoperation is a process where a human operator controls a robot remotely, often in real-time. In the script, teleoperation is used to train Apollo, the robot, to perform tasks by mimicking the operator's movements. This method allows for the robot to learn complex actions and tasks without the need for traditional programming.

💡Zero Shot Learning

Zero shot learning is a concept in AI where a model can perform a task without any specific training for that task, relying on its general knowledge. The video script mentions this as the 'holy grail' for the developers, where the robot can perform tasks after being shown how to do them once, just like a human.

💡Dextrous Manipulation

Dextrous manipulation refers to the ability of a robot to perform complex movements and handle objects with precision, similar to human hands. The script discusses the advancements in this area, where Apollo's hands are equipped with sensors that allow it to grab and sense objects, a significant challenge in robotics.

💡Omniverse

The Omniverse is a platform developed by Nvidia that serves as a metaverse for creating and training virtual representations of real-world objects and environments. In the video, it is mentioned as a tool for training robots in the digital world, allowing them to acquire skills that can be applied in the real world, making the development and testing process faster, safer, and more cost-effective.

💡Digital Twin

A digital twin is a virtual model of a physical object or system. In the context of the video, creating a digital twin of a robot allows developers to simulate its actions and behaviors in a digital environment before implementing them in the real world. This approach is crucial for testing and refining the robot's capabilities.

💡Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is mentioned in the script as a key figure in the development of humanoid robots, specifically with Tesla's own robot, Optimus. Musk's ambitious predictions for the future of humanoid robots, such as having billions of them working in the future, highlight the significance of this technology and its potential impact on the labor market.

💡Adoption Curve

The adoption curve refers to the process by which a new product or technology is adopted by users over time. In the video, the adoption curve is discussed in relation to the cost and capability of humanoid robots. As the cost of these robots decreases and their capabilities increase, it is expected that their adoption will become more widespread.

💡Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. The script raises concerns about the safety of robots working alongside humans, not only in terms of physical safety but also in terms of cybersecurity. Ensuring that robots are secure from hacking and other cyber threats is crucial as they become more integrated into various aspects of life and work.

Highlights

Engineers at Apptroniics Austin lab are developing the next generation of humanoid robots powered by AI.

Nvidia's technology is central to the advancement of these new humanoid robots.

The future of robotics may see one robot capable of performing a multitude of tasks.

Generative AI and high-powered chips are making the concept of a general-purpose humanoid robot a reality.

Yahoo Finance was given an exclusive look into the development of these advanced robots.

The market for humanoid robots is projected to reach $38 billion, according to Goldman Sachs.

Teleoperation allows anyone to train robots by controlling them in real-time.

Apollo, the robot, can perform tasks autonomously after just 10 hours of training.

The goal of zero-shot learning is to enable robots to perform tasks after a single demonstration.

EP Tronics spent a decade perfecting Apollo, designed to work alongside humans with a human-like build.

Investments in robotics are at an all-time high, with big tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft leading the way.

Nvidia's ecosystem for humanoids combines high-powered chips with the Omniverse for digital training.

Generative AI allows robots to learn from vast amounts of data, enabling them to perform a wide range of tasks.

Elon Musk predicts there will be 1 billion humanoids working two decades from now.

The US labor market is facing a significant shortage, especially in manufacturing.

The cost of humanoid robots needs to decrease to around $10,000 to become ubiquitous, according to Nvidia.

Safety and cybersecurity are key concerns as robots work alongside humans.

The versatility of humanoid robots is crucial to filling the gap in the labor market.

The future envisions every house having a humanoid robot, similar to personal computers or smartphones today.

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