For many years now, I’ve been making an attempt to reassure folks that the approaching robotic revolution won’t end in job loss for us people. It’s a notion I firmly believed – or a minimum of did till this morning.
Earlier this week, Boston Dynamics launched a recent demonstration video of its new Atlas humanoid robotic (see beneath). Unveiled earlier this yr, this Atlas is a wholesale redesign and radical improve from its already spectacular and Parkour-performing authentic Atlas. This new robotic appears much more like us, although it will possibly transfer in ways in which none of us can.
The most recent video is in some methods unremarkable: One other humanoid robotic performing drudgery duties we’d moderately not carry out. On this case, Atlas is sorting plastic engine covers between a provider container with horizontal slots and one thing known as a “mobile sequencing dolly” with vertical slots. It does so within the drab environs of what seems to be some kind of manufacturing facility, although it’s in all probability only a warehouse in Boston Dynamic’s improvement campus.
What’s outstanding in regards to the practically three-minute video is that Altas is doing all of it autonomously. That’s proper, in contrast to the remote-controlled Optimus robots Elon Musk and Tesla tried to pawn off as self-directed at his “We, Robot” occasion, there may be, in line with Boston Dynamics, nobody guiding Atlas’ movement or selections.
Within the video, Atlas faces a cart filled with plastic engine cowl trays. The robotic first reaches for one, putting its two ‘fingers’ beneath the quilt, after which pulls it ahead. Atlas then releases its grip and rotates its hand in order that one ‘finger’ is on high and the opposite is on the underside, grabs the tray, and pulls it out.
Considered from a distance, you’d be forgiven for assuming you have been watching a slow-moving human employee. After all, the following bit would belie that notion. Atlas seems to stroll backward towards the vertical set of tray holders but additionally twists its physique round because it strikes. As I stated, it will possibly do some issues not attainable with a human physique.
Earlier than inserting the tray into its new holder, Atlas seems to look at it. Later, we see an inset video feed that exhibits us how Atlas’s imaginative and prescient system is assessing the scale and form of the tray.
Atlas continues its work, crouching and bending all the way down to seize engine covers on decrease cabinets. All of it goes easily, aside from one second when a tray will get caught on the material edge of 1 shelf. As an alternative of pulling it again slowly, Atltas yanks it again earlier than easily inserting the half.
Like I stated, not precisely compelling viewing besides when you think about what this implies. Robots are extensively utilized in manufacturing and warehouses however they’re usually not employed when superb motor controls are required and particularly not in locations that require on-the-fly selections.
It’s clear from this video, nonetheless, that we’re on the trail to the place robots that look and work like us will quickly stand alongside or substitute manufacturing unit employees. They’ll do the job in addition to us but additionally be capable to stroll backward whereas turning their head round 180 levels.
Plus, with the introduction of generative AI, robots like Boston Dynamics Atlas will be capable to report on their work, reply whenever you ask them questions on manufacturing ranges, and even be a part of you for some witty banter at lunchtime (they nonetheless received’t eat however might plug in for an hour).
So now I’ve to regulate what I inform folks about robots: They received’t take our jobs but, however in 10-20 years, chances are you’ll be in search of one other line of labor.
