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| The Valkyrie robot during a NASA test. (Source: NASA) |
Humanoid robots are a familiar sight in many science fiction films. However, with the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) today, humanoid robots are becoming increasingly common in modern life.
Jonathan Hurst, co-founder of Agility Robotics, a Silicon Valley company that introduced its humanoid robot named "Digit" to investors last week, said: "This is truly a turning point in history."
Mr. Hurst is a commercial engineer, and he has focused on building humanoid robots since his college days. "You just talk to these robots and can ask them for help with anything," he shared about his long-held dream.
Simple labor
Currently, the Digit robot only performs tasks such as loading and unloading boxes, arranging items, and completing simple jobs. However, in front of an audience, Digit demonstrated autonomous operation and problem-solving capabilities thanks to OpenAI's ChatGPT 4.0 software integrated into its application.
Due to Agility Robotics' safety regulations, viewers must stand about two meters away from Digit. Hurst stated, "We need thousands of hours of robot operation to further refine and prove its safety for humans." He anticipates it may take several more years before the robots can operate smoothly alongside humans.
At first glance, Digit might remind you of the combat robots in the science fiction movie "Star Wars." However, the existence of highly intelligent robots alongside humans is no longer science fiction. Amazon (an investor in Agility Robotics) says it will test Digit in a warehouse in Seattle. Digit is just one of 750,000 robots Amazon is testing to work alongside its employees. To begin, these robots will have specific tasks to complete. "We use robots to replace humans in repetitive tasks, for example, picking up and moving empty boxes," an Amazon representative said.
Opposing viewpoints
However, for many workers seeking long-term employment, the idea of a robot colleague is not a welcome innovation.
In Hollywood, the Writers Guild of America ended a months-long strike after studio executives agreed to limit the use of AI, which writers and screenwriters feared threatened their jobs and salaries. However, actors continued their strike, as the use of AI to create lifelike images of actors was one of the key concerns they had.
Mr. Hurst refuted the notion that robots would replace many jobs.
"If you hired a million robots at once to do something, it could be complicated, but that won't happen. Robots are machines, so it takes time to train them and expand their presence."
Hurst did not disclose the number of Digit robots that Amazon is testing. He hopes that by 2027, their robot manufacturing plant in Oregon will be producing 10,000 of these robots annually.
Melonee Wise, Chief Technology Officer of Agility, expressed her pride in Digit's potential. “People need to know that Digit is more than just a block of steel. As a software company, we are training this type of robot and designing an application for users.”
Humanoid robots are expected to replace humans in many jobs in the future.
According to forecasts by market research firm MarketsandMarkets, the humanoid robotics industry will boom in the next five years, reaching a value of $13.8 billion.
More and more AI-powered humanoid robots are entering human society. In August 2023, the American technology company Apptronik launched its developed humanoid robot, named Apollo. This robot is 1.7 meters tall and weighs 72.5 kg, using a battery that allows it to operate continuously for 22 hours.
Apollo is capable of lifting objects weighing up to 25kg. This robot is currently working in warehouses, supply chains, etc., to address labor shortages. However, Apptronik has even bigger expectations, hoping Apollo will serve humanity's space exploration missions.
The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is also developing a humanoid robot called Valkyrie, which is 1.9 meters tall and weighs 125 kilograms, with multiple joints allowing for flexible movements. This robot moves on two legs and is capable of overcoming obstacles in various terrains.
Valkyrie is being tested by NASA scientists in challenging environmental conditions. If successful, it is highly likely that NASA will use this robot for missions to explore other planets.
Just a few decades ago, what smartphones can do today was considered science fiction. With the rapid development of technology, especially AI today, humanoid robots are expected to soon become as common as smartphones, replacing humans in hazardous and dangerous environments, and assisting humans in many fields and jobs in the not-too-distant future.
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