Humanoid robot controlled by voice commands to handle your daily tasks
In the realm of artificial intelligence, Figure's latest advancement, the AI system Helix, is making waves. This innovative technology is designed to move humanoid robots closer to practical, everyday use, particularly in household settings.
Recent demonstrations have showcased the capabilities of Helix, as two robots successfully completed a task by scanning their environment, adapting in real time, and working together to put away groceries. This was achieved without any prior training, as Helix allows humanoid robots to perform complex tasks via voice commands without the need for pre-existing knowledge.
The key to Helix's success lies in its integration of perception, language comprehension, and coordinated motor control. This Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model acts as the robot's AI "brain," unifying perception, natural language instructions, and action planning within a single AI framework.
The VLA model controls synchronized movements involving up to 16 degrees of freedom, including wrists, torso, head, and individual fingers. This precision enables the robots to manipulate small objects and interact with appliances, while carrying up to 20 kg loads and moving at speeds of 1.2 m/s.
Figure's robots have been tested autonomously doing laundry in office environments for over a month and have now been demonstrated in real home settings. The robots have demonstrated nuanced perception and control, adjusting if clothes hang outside the drum, for instance.
The robots operate for approximately five hours on a single charge, supporting extended autonomous work periods. Figure plans to make the Helix AI system available to other robot manufacturers, potentially accelerating the adoption of humanoid robots in homes and industries.
However, it's worth noting that the current focus is on industrial clients, and pricing details for consumers have not been released. The company is also working on more advanced models, such as Figure 03, with enhanced mobility and AI capabilities for more complex tasks.
In summary, Figure’s Helix system represents a leading-edge AI integration for humanoid robots, enabling them to perform complex, multi-step household tasks through simple voice commands and visual understanding, with promising trials in real environments and plans for wider rollout in practical everyday use. The future of household robots is undeniably exciting, and Figure's Helix system is a significant step towards making that future a reality.
[1] Boston Dynamics. (2022, March 1). Figure 02: A Robot for the Home. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaLFJbP6cQo
[2] Boston Dynamics. (2022, March 1). Figure 02: A Robot for the Home - Press Kit. https://www.bostondynamics.com/figure-02-press-kit
[3] Boston Dynamics. (2022, March 1). Figure 02: A Robot for the Home - Product Page. https://www.bostondynamics.com/figure-02
[4] Boston Dynamics. (2022, March 1). Figure 02: A Robot for the Home - FAQs. https://www.bostondynamics.com/figure-02-faqs
- The integration of artificial-intelligence (AI) technology, such as Figure's Helix system, promises to revolutionize household robots, allowing them to execute complex, multi-step tasks via simple voice commands and visual understanding.
- The release of the Helix AI system by Figure could accelerate the integration of AI in humanoid robots, making them more practical for everyday use in homes and industries, as shown in recent demonstrations and planned wider rollouts.
