The Robotics & AI Institute (RAI Institute) has embarked on a groundbreaking partnership with Boston Dynamics to enhance the learning capabilities of its Atlas humanoid robot. Founded in 2022 by Marc Raibert, a former MIT professor and CEO of Boston Dynamics, the RAI Institute seeks to develop technology that will empower future generations of intelligent machines. The collaboration aims to refine reinforcement learning techniques, a trial-and-error-based method, to improve how the Atlas robot navigates and interacts with its physical surroundings.
The RAI Institute operates independently from OpenAI but shares a parent company and founder, as well as aligned objectives. Under the leadership of Raibert, known for his pioneering work in robotics, the institute is tasked with pushing the boundaries of what robots can achieve. As Raibert himself states:
"Our aim at RAI is to develop technology that enables future generations of intelligent machines."
From: Marc Raibert
Boston Dynamics, renowned for its innovative robotic systems, brings decades of experience in developing software for its unique machines. The Atlas robot, in particular, represents a significant leap in humanoid robotics, offering both challenges and opportunities distinct from Boston Dynamics' quadrupedal robot, Spot. The current partnership focuses on transferring simulation-based learning to real-world applications, improving the robot's physical movements and interactions.
The collaboration between the RAI Institute and Boston Dynamics is poised to leverage large behavior models akin to those used by Toyota's TRI (Toyota Research Institute). These models are expected to enhance the robot's ability to learn and adapt to its environment more effectively. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the RAI Institute, which is funded by Hyundai following its acquisition of Boston Dynamics in 2021.
In addition to focusing on the Atlas robot, the RAI Institute and Boston Dynamics are jointly developing a reinforcement learning research kit for the Spot robot. This aligns with a series of collaborations between the two organizations aimed at advancing the field of robotics and artificial intelligence.
Marc Raibert's leadership at the RAI Institute allows for exploration into experimental and cutting-edge technologies. This freedom fosters an innovative environment where new ideas can flourish and contribute to significant advancements in robotic capabilities.
The partnership underscores Boston Dynamics' commitment to maintaining control over its AI development processes. Brett Adcock emphasizes this strategic approach by stating:
"We can’t outsource AI for the same reason we can’t outsource our hardware."
From: Brett Adcock
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