Two new papers in Science Robotics, published on August 27 by UC Berkeley roboticist Ken Goldberg, argue that truly capable humanoid robots remain far further off than the most optimistic timelines suggest. While large language models (LLMs) surged into everyday use by training on vast internet text, Goldberg says robots can’t ride the same data…
The crowd holds its breath: a small metallic man crouches, gathers momentum, and tries to execute a somersault. He spins in the air… and crashes onto his back. The stands erupt in laughter. Meanwhile, in the ring, two more skillful humanoids trade kicks and punches; one loses rhythm, stumbles, and his rival takes advantage of…
A robotics entrepreneur says his company is nearing completion of a “pregnancy robot,” with a prototype to be ready for sale as early as next year. “Some people don’t want to get married but still want a ‘wife’; some don’t want to be pregnant but still want a child. So one function of our ‘robot…
P6-4 is suspended in the air, hanging from a small crane by ropes, with its limbs stiff and limp. Its feet do not touch the ground. It seems inactive, but when running a hand over the cold, metallic frame of its chest, an inner vibration can be felt, like that of computers in standby mode….