The Hyundai Motor Group purchased a controlling share in Boston Dynamics for US$800 million again in 2020, impressed by the potential of its array of world-leading humanoid, quadrupedal and different robots. Now it is investing half that once more to develop AI.
Hyundai is founding a brand new Boston Dynamics AI Institute, headquartered within the Kendall Sq. analysis precinct in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The brand new facility shall be a research-first group devoted to “fixing crucial and tough challenges going through the creation of superior robots,” taking an academia-meets-the-commercial-lab strategy.
The Institute’s core analysis areas shall be athletic AI, natural {hardware} design … and sure, cognitive AI. There may also be analysis into the less-technical – however essential – areas of ethics and coverage, as they intersect with this highly-charged area.
“Our mission is to create future generations of superior robots and clever machines which are smarter, extra agile, perceptive and safer than something that exists immediately,” mentioned Marc Raibert, who based Boston Dynamics again in 1992 as an MIT spinoff, and who will function govt director of the brand new Institute. “The distinctive construction of the Institute – high expertise centered on basic options with sustained funding and wonderful technical help – will assist us create robots which are simpler to make use of, extra productive, capable of carry out a greater diversity of duties, and which are safer working with individuals.”
Boston Dynamics
Whereas they could look fairly totally different, self-driving automobiles can very a lot be seen as autonomous robots as nicely, and Hyundai can be investing in a separate World Software program Middle, centered on autonomous driving and mobility platforms. There could be areas the place the 2 new entities could intersect.
In the meantime, Boston Dynamics continues to work on business purposes for its versatile Spot robotic canine, in addition to its newer Stretch robotic, a mesmerizing cellular platform developed round field dealing with and warehouse work.
Boston Dynamics
The true world is a considerably harsher stage than a YouTube video, and we do not get the impression that Boston Dynamic’s merchandise are setting the world alight the best way their movies have. However Hyundai has doubled down on its dedication, and AI will definitely be a vital area within the general-purpose robotics area, so there’s each likelihood this new Institute may maintain Boston Dynamics out in entrance of the sector for years, or a long time, to return.
Supply: Boston Dynamics AI Institute
