Google DeepMind recently brought on Aaron Saunders, former CTO of Boston Dynamics, as their new VP of hardware engineering. This move signals DeepMind’s growing interest in robotics. Saunders is known for his work on impressive robotic feats, like back-flipping and dancing machines.
DeepMind’s CEO, Demis Hassabis, envisions Gemini as a versatile robot operating system, similar to Android for smartphones. “We want an AI system that works out-of-the-box across various robot designs,” he shared in a WIRED interview.
Boston Dynamics is famous for its legged robots, including agile humanoids and four-legged machines. Under Saunders, the company advanced its engineering capabilities, making tremendous strides toward practical applications.
As demand for advanced robots rises, DeepMind is focusing on AI models that can control these robotic systems. “I believe we’ll see a breakthrough in AI-powered robotics in the next couple of years,” Hassabis predicted.
The robotics landscape is becoming more competitive. Multiple U.S. startups, like Agility Robotics, Figure AI, and 1x, are also in the race to create humanoid robots. Even Tesla has ambitious plans to produce a million humanoid robots, called Optimus, over the next decade.
Interestingly, Chinese companies are making their mark too, with Unitree recently emerging as a leading supplier of affordable four-legged robots for sectors like construction. Hassabis acknowledges their advancements and emphasizes his focus on developing AI technology rather than hardware.
Recent polls show that public interest in robotics is growing, with many embracing the idea of robots in daily life. According to a recent study, about 60% of people believe robots could improve productivity in the workplace. This growing fascination with robotics shows just how significant these innovations are becoming in our lives.
For more insights, you can check reports from trusted sources like McKinsey on the impact of robotics in various industries.
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