New Nvidia AI Tools Speed Up Humanoid Robot Development And 4 More Stories
Read the latest humanoid robot news. NVIDIA has new AI tools, Ghost Robotics is acquired, new MIT research, and more.
Good morning!
This week's update covers a lot of ground. We have 5 different stories covering software and robot upgrades, an acquisition, and an enchanted robot!
Let's dive in!
NVIDIA Launches New AI Tools to Speed Up Humanoid Robot Development
NVIDIA announced a suite of new services and platforms to support and speed up the development of humanoid robots.
One of the key features is NVIDIA NIM microservices, which help developers reduce deployment times from weeks to minutes. Complementing this is NVIDIA OSMO, an orchestration service that simplifies robot training and simulation workflows, cutting cycle times from months to under a week.
NVIDIA’s Isaac Sim and MimicGen tools generate synthetic motion data and simulation-ready environments for training robots. Additionally, the new teleoperated data capture workflow allows developers to generate large amounts of data from minimal human demonstrations.
Project GR00T, a foundation model for humanoid robots, is trained with real and synthetic data to save time and reduce costs.
NVIDIA has launched a Humanoid Robot Developer Program to further support developers and offer early access to these new tools and services.
Prominent companies like Boston Dynamics and Fourier are among the first to join the early-access program. NVIDIA also provides supercomputers, simulation platforms, and robot computers to support all stages of humanoid robot development.
These comprehensive tools and services are expected to accelerate the development of humanoid robots across multiple industries and set new market standards.
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Ghost Robotics Acquired by LIG Nex1 for $240 Million
Korean defense company LIG Nex1 has acquired a controlling stake in Ghost Robotics for $240 million, with joint investment from Korea Investment Private Equity.
Based in Philadelphia and founded in 2015, Ghost Robotics is known for its advanced quadruped walking robots. Their flagship product, VISION 60, is versatile and durable and can operate in urban, natural, and aquatic environments.
VISION 60 has a battery life of up to 10 hours and features modular parts, making it adaptable for various applications. This acquisition highlights the increasing interest and investment in advanced robotics technology, signaling strong growth potential in the humanoid and quadruped robot markets.
The deal with LIG Nex1 is expected to drive innovation and expand the applications of humanoid robots in the defense and public safety sectors.
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MIT Robot Peels Fruits and Vegetables Like A Human
MIT researchers have made a breakthrough with a new robot that peels vegetables with human-like dexterity. The robot can rotate fruits and vegetables using one hand and peel with the other, showcasing impressive capabilities.
These real-world tests were performed on on pumpkin, radish, and papaya. The system's training was conducted in a simulated environment with algorithmic rewards and punishments, leading to a robot with a firm grip and notable speed.
This development shows significant progress in robotic dexterity and handling delicate objects.
However, the robot struggles with smaller, awkwardly shaped vegetables like ginger. So, the researchers are working on improving its capabilities.
Despite these advancements, the robot is unlikely to replace existing industrial vegetable peeling methods.
Instead, it shows potential for applications in factories where objects need proper orientation, highlighting its possible impact on manufacturing and industrial automation.
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Enchanted Tools Delivers First Mirokaï Robot to ISIR
Enchanted Tools has delivered its first Mirokaï robot to the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISIR). Mirokaï is a social robot featuring a humanoid torso and an animated face. It is the first commercially available ball-bot robot, operating autonomously with multiple AI systems.
Enchanted Tools was founded in 2021 and developed Mirokaï in just 12 months. The robot aims to be cute and engaging, reflecting the company's mission to make robots more approachable.
ISIR will use Mirokaï to research interactive mobile manipulators, focusing on interactive programming, low-level control, and human-robot interaction. This partnership is expected to advance both robotics and human-robot interaction.
The delivery of Mirokaï to ISIR demonstrates the practical application and commercial viability of advanced social robots. Enchanted Tools plans to deliver more robots by the end of 2024.
This partnership is a crucial step in developing interactive mobile robots, showcasing how collaborations between startups and research institutions can push the boundaries of technology.
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The Unitree Go2 Gets Upgraded, And It’s Impressive
Unitree's newest innovation, the Go2-W, could make waves for security, surveillance, and inspection services. This wheeled robodog is designed to be highly efficient for navigation tasks.
The Go2-W features 7-inch pneumatic tires and an agile quadruped design, allowing it to adapt to diverse terrains. It can climb obstacles up to 70cm, tackle slopes up to 40 degrees, and navigate stairs effortlessly. This versatile robot can also exit vehicles independently and balance on two feet.
Equipped with a super wide-angle 3D LiDAR and an HD wide-angle camera, the Go2-W excels in surveillance. Its connectivity options include WiFi 6, 4G, and Bluetooth, ensuring reliable communication.
With a maximum payload capacity of 6.6 lbs and a top speed of 2.5m/s, the Go2-W is built for efficiency. The Go2-W's battery lasts up to 4 hours, making it a dependable partner for extended operations.
Unitree's commitment to innovation is evident in their impressive range of quadruped and humanoid robots, and the Go2-W stands out as a testament to their cutting-edge technology.
