Nvidia Adds Generative AI to Power Humanoid Robots


Story: Humanoid Robots on the Rise The story is about humanoid robots that are becoming increasingly popular, but it’s not like a Terminator-like scenario. More prototypes are coming out, and most tech companies want a piece of the pie. The latest one to join the race is NVIDIA, the chipmaker.

On Tuesday, it announced something called Project Groot, an obvious reference to Marvel’s speaking tree. But the project has nothing to do with sentient plants. Groot stands for Generalist Robot 00 Technology. It’s a general-purpose foundation model. Robots built on this platform can understand language, mimic motions, and learn coordination and dexterity. In simpler words, they will behave like humans. Our next report tells you why humanoid robots are the new frontier. Humanoid robots can climb stairs, open doors, use tools, lift boxes, and even make dinner. They are coming of age, and they won’t try to kill you. Instead, they want to make your lives easier.

Humanoid robots are fully functioning AI-driven robots. In a decade, they could be staffing warehouses, manning retail stores, tending to the elderly, and even performing household chores. Basically, we could all be rich with our own personal irony. But building them isn’t an easy task. They’re not only difficult to build but also very expensive to engineer. However, robot fever is everywhere, and tech companies are pouring millions into investments to make them a reality.

Tesla has one called the Optimus Humanoid Robot, and OpenAI has collaborated with a start-up called Figur to build one. Agility Robotics has one called Digit, and Mercedes has Aptronix’s Apollo. What’s powering these human-like robots is AI models, and NVIDIA has joined that race. It has unveiled Project Groot, a general-purpose foundation model for humanoid robots that can learn languages, mimic movements, learn coordination and dexterity, and even interact in the real world. NVIDIA is already working with most humanoid robot companies, including Vigility Robotics, Aptronic, Boston Dynamics, and Figure AI.

However, one notable exception is Tesla. NVIDIA will collaborate with these companies to build a comprehensive AI platform to power human-like robots. Humanoid robots are the new frontier of technology, but it’s a highly contentious topic. Venture capitalists are pouring millions into investments, but many remain skeptical of their scope. Of course, we’re still far from a perfect model like the C-3PO from Star Wars. Humanoid robots are decades away from replicating what humans are capable of, but the industry is only growing. In the next 10 years, it could be a $6 billion industry, and tech companies all want a piece of that pie.

About Anushka Agrawal

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