a place to discuss robotics, how to build them, papers, tutorials, the consequences, hands on demos and more

Main

Robotics

They can also be used to carry out initial quality checks of parts. It’s not exactly the stuff of sci-fi movies, but it’s a glimpse of what the future of factory work might look like.

They can also be used to carry out initial quality checks of parts. It’s not exactly the stuff of sci-fi movies, but it’s a glimpse of what the future of factory work might look like.
https://www.carscoops.com/2025/03/mercedes-humanoid-robots/

Atlas is demonstrating reinforcement learning policies developed using a motion capture suit. This demonstration was developed in partnership with Boston Dynamics and @rai_inst. https://t.co/bEk6wEDbIn

This is so smooth…
https://x.com/bostondynamics/status/1902359785678500355?s=46&t=2dJQ6SxgmI5U0lUBnPo5mw

just started a new pcb for the tumbller cryptobot in RPi Hat form factor

wut? humanoid half marathon in beijing

https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/news/202503/t20250307_4028142.html

https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/gemini-robotics-brings-ai-into-the-physical-world/

Prediction:
- In 100 years: there are going to be more humanoid robots working in sub 1G (standard gravity) than there are in 1G.

If they were looking for volunteers to test this at home, would you sign up?

If they were looking for volunteers to test this at home, would you sign up? 
https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/27/figure-will-start-alpha-testing-its-humanoid-robot-in-the-home-in-2025/

I've seen a lot of people argue that humanoid robots are a form of skeuomorphism because there are much better form factors, even for homes (e.g. wheel base with arms, robot dog with an arm as the head).

I watched an interview where the roboticist Eric Jang shared his take on this. He believes that the humanoid form factor for an environment like a home is not just sufficient but actually necessary. And he went into concrete reasons why he thinks so, which was super interesting.

If anyone wants to watch it, the discussion about this starts at 21:55 in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHsWJ_XNEz0&t=1395s

I'd add some quotes from the interview here but I'll cast hem in the comments. Reaching the character limit.

Humanoids might just be the most versatile form factor, not skeuomorphism.

Humanoids might just be the most versatile form factor, not skeuomorphism.

https://warpcast.com/s5eeo/0xbdbb4033

Finally feeling a bit more human after getting out of hospital a week ago.

Going to spend the weekend playing with this new toy. Have a pretty big idea that I'll be working towards, and eventually develop on a larger more capable arm at the lab. 

But, pretty insane these things have become commoditised to such a degree that I can play at home - absolutely no idea how it works so should be fun.

Been testing this MyCobot robot arm. It has 6 degrees of freedom(!), a Python API, and runs on two ESP32s, so plenty of interfacing options.

But the calibration software doesn’t work (Mac issue?), and the docs are a mess.

Most importantly, it’s highly suicidal. It doesn't come with anything to secure it, so it just flings itself around. For now, I’m holding it down.

Next step: Design and 3D print a way to secure this thing before it takes me out.

What seems impossible today could soon become common. 
https://www.youtube.com/embed/uVcBa6NXAbk?si=Oc2i01i2PzSEHHpJ"

Japanese researchers have developed a bio-hybrid drone that uses silkworm moth antennae to navigate by smell. https://t.co/qNf7ZC1VM7

https://x.com/microchipmakes/status/1892227344506466383

In the beginning of automobiles era (1885-1920s) low key it’s easy to forget how cars had no dedicated infrastructure. Early on, drivers would take many spare tires with them because you would get many flats. The roads weren't developed, they were all dirt roads, shared with horses and carriages. No gasoline stations, no safety rules, nothing really. Just a weird fun vehicle - now look at today, and where we are.

In this context -- I am actually excited about Humanoids as a product category. It's early, and most of what is out there today is shit (and the future that it extrapolates)

We can do better

BREAKING: Meta’s next big thing is humanoid robots. The company starting a new division to build an AI hardware and software platform to become “the Android” of the humanoid industry. https://t.co/NckQGe2B8H

https://x.com/markgurman/status/1890432010188914777?s=46