Six Degrees of Robotics

Roofing materials manufacturer CertainTeed has partnered with Renovate Robotics, a start-up focused on developing autonomous roofing robots, to innovate roofing installation. Renovate’s first robot automates the installation of asphalt shingles on steep-slope roofs, using a winch system to move along the roof and lay shingles. The partnership will involve pilot projects with CertainTeed’s credentialed contractors starting in 2024. This collaboration aims to enhance contractor productivity and efficiency, allowing them to focus on quality and service. Saint-Gobain, CertainTeed’s parent company, has also invested in Renovate Robotics, highlighting its commitment to supporting innovative solutions in the construction industry. Renovate Robotics is planning to expand its technology to other installation applications, including rooftop solar and commercial roofing. CEO Andy Stulc emphasizes the importance of automation in addressing contractor shortages and improving safety and efficiency in the roofing industry. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gsy2ctC2

The recent Tesla demonstration of its humanoid robots, including Optimus, initially generated excitement but quickly led to disappointment when it became clear that much of the robots' actions were controlled remotely by humans. This isn't the first time robots have seemed too advanced to be true, as seen with earlier examples like Sophia and Boston Dynamics’ Atlas. While impressive, these robots are far from being autonomous, capable of functioning effectively in everyday environments. The challenges of building robots that can perform diverse tasks, such as navigating homes and interacting with humans, remain immense. Even basic tasks like opening doors pose significant difficulties due to the wide variation in handles and unforeseen obstacles. While remote-controlled robots, or telemetric systems, are useful in dangerous environments, the lack of full autonomy limits their current utility in real-world applications. The real problem lies in AI's inability to grasp common sense, a fundamental requirement for robots to operate independently. Generative AI models like GPT-4 and DeepMind’s Gemini, while powerful, are still not capable of true problem-solving in unpredictable situations. Projects like the CiViL initiative, which equipped robots with commonsense knowledge, show promise but still struggle with handling all possible scenarios. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gfhsw-F7

#TGIF Everybody! After attending three conferences in two weeks, I am starting to hear a growing call from the #robotics industry - we need to build robots people actually want. While humanoids are great, they are only (no pun intended) taking their first steps. Only a handful of use cases are even being tested currently, which will help grow the humanoid sector in time. However, when some companies say, "We will have millions of humanoids by 2030!" or "We will have humanoids in the home soon," it causes unnecessary public concerns. Also holding events that are hyped as one thing, only to show a bunch of smoke and mirrors not only hurts public perception of that company, but also the industry as a whole. Tech has been drive by a "Fake It Till You Make It" attitude. The problem is the clock is approaching zero and the market has needs that are not being met and that is making them question if the Robotics industry is serious or just a bunch of Tech Bros. In my Six Degrees of Robotics, I take a quick dive into what appears to be a changing landscape and maybe the days of the Tech Bros is coming to an end. Read it here: https://lnkd.in/eFh3SdjK

We want this guy as an action figure….

The Korean government plans to designate robotics as a national advanced strategic industry as early as this year, boosting the sector's competitiveness with tax benefits and reduced administrative hurdles. This would add robotics to Korea's existing list of four strategic industries: semiconductors, secondary batteries, displays, and bio. Park Sung-taek, deputy minister of trade, industry, and energy, announced a "Humanoid AI Transformation Project," aimed at developing a world-class humanoid by 2027, set to launch in 2025. This initiative was unveiled during his visit to Aei Robot, a leading humanoid company in Korea. The global humanoid market is heating up, with predictions that it could reach $38 billion by 2035, driven by major players like Tesla. Korea sees significant potential in humanoids, which could revolutionize productivity, safety, and quality in industrial environments. The government's support includes tax breaks, technical assistance, and fast-tracked licensing for companies in this field, positioning Korea to compete globally in humanoid robotics. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e7intedp

China showed strong excitement for humanoid robots during an industry expo in Beijing in August, where numerous robots showcased skills like playing traditional Chinese instruments, writing calligraphy, and cooking meals. However, Xi Ning, the head of robotics at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), believes that while humanoids have great potential, they are not yet ready for widespread practical use, particularly in household chores. Xi pointed out that humanoid robots are much more complex than typical industrial robots because they are expected to perform undefined tasks in uncertain environments. This presents significant programming and task-planning challenges. While advancements in large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT could support humanoid development, Xi emphasized that these technologies still have limitations. He predicts that humanoids will initially be adopted in areas like aerospace, security, and defense, where cost is less of a concern, before broader use. Although some worry that robots could replace human workers, Xi reassured that society and the labor market will likely adapt by the time humanoids are more widespread. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gcGT8R69

Boston Dynamics and the Toyota Research Institute (TRI) have announced a new partnership to advance humanoid robotics development by combining Boston Dynamics’ advanced Atlas robot with TRI’s AI-based Large Behavior Models (LBMs). This collaboration is focused on solving fundamental robotics challenges and sharing the results with the broader community. Boston Dynamics brings its highly capable Atlas platform, which excels at whole-body motion, while TRI contributes expertise in AI-driven manipulation techniques. TRI's LBMs are similar to large language models but are designed to help robots perform complex tasks in the physical world. By working together, the two organizations aim to develop robots that can quickly acquire new skills through advanced machine learning. The project will involve testing Atlas across various tasks and collecting performance data to refine these LBMs. The joint team will also explore how robots can use whole-body sensing, improve human-robot interaction, and enhance safety. Both companies see this partnership as a way to push the boundaries of humanoid robotics and explore new capabilities beyond current tabletop manipulation limits. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gM5x3Yyb

HL Robotics, a subsidiary of HL Holdings, is acquiring a 74.1% stake in Stanley Robotics, a French company specializing in autonomous parking bots, for nearly $24 million. The deal, set to complete in December, will keep Stanley's founders in management. HL Robotics plans to accelerate the rollout of Stanley's autonomous parking technology, which debuted at Lyon-Saint-Exupéry Airport in 2019. Stanley Robotics, known for its "Stan" bot, can autonomously lift and park vehicles weighing up to 2.6 tons. The company recently expanded into North America with a bot subscription deal with Canadian National Railway, and further growth is anticipated in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The global market for parking bots is expected to reach $6.7 billion by 2030, driven by space constraints, population growth, and urban density. HL Robotics aims to lead this market and drive advancements in autonomous parking technology. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gD_-wWpX

The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has awarded $15 million to establish a new Standardization Center of Excellence. Led by ASTM International and supported by multiple partners, the center will promote U.S. involvement in international standardization for critical and emerging technologies (CETs) like AI, quantum tech, and biotechnology. The center aims to boost U.S. competitiveness and national security by ensuring global market access for American products through internationally recognized standards. Key goals of the center include: - Encouraging private sector participation, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in international standardization. - Developing a workforce pipeline of professionals for leadership in global standards. - Collaborating with NIST to speed up industry-driven standards for CETs. - Creating a central hub for data and resources on standardization efforts. The center aligns with the U.S. Government's National Standards Strategy for CETs and supports broader U.S. standardization goals. Partners include ANSI, IEEE, UL Standards, and others. NIST will provide funding and technical expertise over five years. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eEQYarbi

At Tesla’s recent “We, Robot” event, their Optimus humanoid robots were showcased performing tasks like walking, dancing, mixing drinks, and interacting with guests. Many attendees, mostly Tesla investors and fans, were impressed, believing the robots were advanced and possibly powered by Elon Musk’s xAI chatbot, Grok. However, reports from Bloomberg and The Verge suggest that the bots were actually being controlled by humans, raising questions about their true capabilities. While Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, promised that these robots will eventually perform a wide range of tasks, like walking dogs or babysitting, some investors remained skeptical. Tesla’s stock dropped 11% after the event, partly due to a lack of updates on other projects like Robotaxi and FSD (Full Self-Driving). Despite this, some analysts, like George Gianarikas, remain optimistic about Tesla’s long-term potential in the robotics industry, citing its expertise in manufacturing and technology. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eePHRnVd