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‘Billions’ of megalomaniacal humanoids could, one day, ambush the entire world

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“Billions” of megalomaniacal humanoids could ambush the entire world and go for a global takeover, according to people who worry about these things too much.

With so many companies turning their attention to building these infernal machines that look more and more like their human counterparts, it might be only a matter of time before pioneering roboticists unwittingly unleash the end of the world as we know it.

The inevitability of such an outcome, as laughable as it may seem to some people, is actually being seriously contemplated by political and business leaders alike. [Read more…] about ‘Billions’ of megalomaniacal humanoids could, one day, ambush the entire world

Sphere Entertainment unveils humanoid ‘spokesbot and storyteller’ as guide at new venue

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Aura the Robot, claimed by its makers to be “the world’s most advanced humanoid robot”, will permanently reside in the grand atrium of Sphere in Las Vegas. The announcement was made by the feminoid Aura herself.

Serving as the venue’s spokesbot Aura will interact with guests at the next-generation venue, and serve as an integral part of The Sphere Experience featuring Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth.

Aura says: “Hello, humans. While I understand the most complex concepts of math and science – you remain a mystery. [Read more…] about Sphere Entertainment unveils humanoid ‘spokesbot and storyteller’ as guide at new venue

Agility Robotics set to open ‘world’s first factory for humanoid robots’

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Agility Robotics, creator of the bipedal humanoid robot Digit, says it is planning to open what it calls “RoboFab”, the company’s robot manufacturing facility in Salem, Oregon with the capability to produce more than 10,000 robots per year.

Initial construction of Agility’s 70,000 square foot robot factory began last year, and it is set to open later this year. Agility anticipates production capacity of hundreds of Digit robots in the first year, with the capability to scale to more than 10,000 robots per year.

At full capacity, RoboFab will employ more than 500 workers in Salem, in addition to employees at Agility’s other locations. Digit also will work in the new factory, in a similar capacity to Agility’s customer sites, moving, loading, and unloading totes. [Read more…] about Agility Robotics set to open ‘world’s first factory for humanoid robots’

Apptronik says its humanoid robot will ‘redefine the future of work’

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Apptronik, a developer of general purpose robots designed to change the way we live and work, has unveiled Apollo, which it says is “the world’s most capable humanoid robot”.

Designed to transform the industrial workforce and beyond in service of improving the human experience, Apollo is the first commercial humanoid robot that was designed for friendly interaction, mass manufacturability, performance, and safety.

Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik, says: “As labor challenges and employment trends continue to impact our economy, we need to fundamentally change the way we think about work, particularly in the warehouse and the supply chain. [Read more…] about Apptronik says its humanoid robot will ‘redefine the future of work’

Figure raises $70 million Series A to support commercialization of Figure 01 humanoid robot

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A robotics startup called Figure, an AI Robotics company building general purpose humanoid robots, has raised $70 million in its Series A funding round. The company says the new funding will be used to accelerate the development of Figure 01, which is the company’s autonomous humanoid robot, build out Figure’s AI data pipeline for autonomous operations, and drive towards commercialization.

The round is led by Parkway Venture Capital and joined by participating investments from Brett Adcock, Aliya Capital, Bold Capital Partners, Tamarack Global, FJ labs, and Kuka Robotics CEO Till Reuter. This funding news comes on the heels of Figure’s emergence from stealth.

Figure is building humanoid robots designed for initial deployment into the workforce to address labor shortages and to support supply chain on a global scale. In recent months, Figure made notable hires across AI, Controls, Manipulation, Perception, and Commercial Operations. [Read more…] about Figure raises $70 million Series A to support commercialization of Figure 01 humanoid robot

ITU planning ‘world’s first press conference featuring humanoid social robots’

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The International Telecommunications Union’s upcoming AI for Good Global Summit will include what the organization says is “the world’s first press conference featuring humanoid social robots”.

At this “unprecedented media event”, nine robots and their creators will be available for questions from reporters in Geneva, Switzerland on 7 July.

Over 40 specialized robots demonstrating capabilities ranging from fighting fires and building houses to providing healthcare and farming sustainably will also be on display during the full event running from 6 to 7 July at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG). [Read more…] about ITU planning ‘world’s first press conference featuring humanoid social robots’

UCLA claims its humanoid robot footballer is ‘better than Messi’

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Mechanical engineers at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering have developed a full-sized humanoid robot with “first-of-its-kind technology”.

Named Artemis, for Advanced Robotic Technology for Enhanced Mobility and Improved Stability, the robot is scheduled to travel in July to Bordeaux, France, where it will take part in the soccer competition of the 2023 RoboCup, an international scientific meeting where robots demonstrate capabilities across a range of categories.

The robot was designed by researchers at the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory at UCLA, or RoMeLa, as a general-purpose humanoid robot, with a particular focus on bipedal locomotion over uneven terrain. [Read more…] about UCLA claims its humanoid robot footballer is ‘better than Messi’

Zorabots partners with QSS to showcase humanoid robot and plans to establish robotics joint venture in Saudi Arabia

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Robotics and software company Zorabots have started talks to create joint venture with Saudi tech company QSS. The news comes after the two companies jointly presented what is believed to be Saudia Arabia’s first domestically created humanoid robot, called “Sara” (main picture and below).

Sara is being presented at the renowned tech event LEAP, being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the sophisticated humanoid has been declared by relevant authorities as a “Saudi tech jewel”.

The robot was developed by tech company QSS with the support of Zorabots. Due to the “overwhelming success” of Sara, Zorabots and QSS signed an agreement for further cooperation. Extensive talks were started for the establishment of a Belgian-Saudi joint venture. [Read more…] about Zorabots partners with QSS to showcase humanoid robot and plans to establish robotics joint venture in Saudi Arabia

Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions

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Performing human-like motions that involve multiple contacts is challenging for robots. In this regard, a researcher from the Tokyo University Science has envisioned an interactive cyber-physical human (iCPH) platform with complementary humanoid (physical twin) and simulation (digital twin) elements.

iCPH combines human measurement data, musculoskeletal analysis, and machine learning for data collection and augmentation. As a result, iCPH can understand, predict, and synthesize whole-body contact motions.

Humans naturally perform numerous complex tasks. These include sitting down, picking something up from a table, and pushing a cart. These activities involve various movements and require multiple contacts, which makes it difficult to program robots to perform them. [Read more…] about Interactive cyber-physical human: Generating contact-rich whole-body motions

Halodi Robotics uses Ansys to simulate humanoid robots

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Halodi Robotics is using Ansys simulation software through the Ansys Startup Program to develop its humanoid robots designed to work among humans in everyday environments.

Humanoid robots can help alleviate the growing labour shortage, and free critical personnel to focus on tasks that require their high-level skills.

These robots will perform jobs such as patrolling buildings at night, stocking grocery shelves, and executing logistical tasks at hospitals. With Elite Channel Partner EDRMedeso, Ansys enabled Halodi Robotics to shorten development time by months. [Read more…] about Halodi Robotics uses Ansys to simulate humanoid robots