Robots on the Rise: From Chef to Factory Worker

At the Toyota Research Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, robots are currently being trained to demonstrate their versatility not only in kitchens but also in factories and nursing homes. While robotic cooks are not an entirely new invention, the models developed here are distinguished by their exceptional abilities. They master the art of flipping pancakes, chopping vegetables, and preparing pizzas without having been extensively programmed. Instead, they acquire their skills through artificial intelligence, allowing them to rapidly enhance their dexterity. Dr. Gill Pratt, the Chief Scientist at Toyota, explains that the skills these robots develop in the kitchen can also be applied in other environments, such as factories or residential homes. Cooking involves a variety of complex tasks such as lifting and placing items or mixing ingredients, which makes the kitchen an ideal training ground. The underlying technology is called "diffusion methodology" and was developed by experts at Columbia University and MIT. Unlike traditional programming, where robots are equipped with extensive code, diffusion methodology allows machines to generate and apply new movements independently. Robots in Cambridge receive visual and tactile feedback to efficiently learn tasks such as loading a dishwasher. By mimicking human learning based on variations of known actions, training time can be significantly reduced. Another interesting aspect is the "fleet learning" approach, which enables learned skills to be wirelessly transferred from one robot to another. In combination with the development of a comprehensive behavioral model, this could revolutionize training efficiency. As part of these advancements, Toyota has partnered with Boston Dynamics, known for the humanoid robot Atlas. The focus is initially on deploying humanoid robots in the manufacturing industry, with later applications in homes being considered. With planned applications in vehicle factories, humanoid robots could soon reach mass production, which could make them attractive for the care sector in the long run. Elon Musk is also pursuing a similar approach with Tesla, further developing the humanoid robot Optimus. Despite advancements in automation, Dr. Pratt makes it clear that human labor remains irreplaceable in flexible manufacturing.