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The field of robotics is evolving rapidly. Many new and advanced robots are constantly being developed. Robots are becoming smarter driven by innovations in artificial intelligence, machine learning, materials science, and sensor technology. Robots today can learn from their environment, adapt to new tasks, make decisions in real time and handle complex tasks without human intervention. If the current trends are an indication, robots in future will have an impact on the society as a whole, and transform the way we work, live, and interact with the world. Here are ten smartest robots in the world today:
Sophia: A Pioneer in Humanoid Robotics
Type: Humanoid Robot designed for research, education, and entertainment
Sophia a humanoid developed by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics is one of the most advanced robots to date. Unveiled in 2016, Sophia is designed to look like a human. She has realistic lifelike skin and sophisticated facial motors, which allow her to display a wide range of emotions like happiness, sadness, surprise, and anger. She is equipped with sophisticated AI that allows her to engage in conversations, answer questions, express opinions and even crack jokes. Her “skin” is made of a highly elastic material called Frubber (Flesh Rubber), which helps in creating lifelike facial expressions. Sophia is known for her ability to recognize faces, and express a wide range of emotions, making her a key figure in AI-driven robotics. Sophia has appeared on numerous TV shows, and interviews, where she has shared her views on AI, technology, and delivered keynote speeches at various international events. Sophia was granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia in 2017, making her the first robot to receive such a status.
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Atlas: The Athletic Humanoid
Type: Bipedal Robot designed for search and rescue missions
Atlas – a robot developed by Boston Dynamics, can run, jump, and even perform backflips with astonishing precision and grace. Atlas is a bipedal robot, meaning it can walk on two legs. Atlas is 5 ft. tall and weighs around 80 kg almost looks like human beings and has arms, legs, and a torso. Atlas uses a combination of hydraulic actuators and electric motors, which give it the strength and precision needed to perform dynamic movements. Many of Atlas’s parts are 3D-printed, allowing for a lightweight but strong frame, which enhances its mobility and durability. One of Atlas’s most impressive features is its ability to maintain balance while running on uneven terrain, jumping across obstacles, or recovering from being pushed. Atlas is equipped with sensors, including LIDAR and stereo vision, which enable it to perceive its environment, map out obstacles, and navigate through complex spaces autonomously.
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Optimus – a robot that can perform tasks that are dangerous, repetitive, or boring for humans
Type: General-purpose Humanoid Robot
Optimus, also known as Tesla Bot, is a humanoid robot being developed by Tesla, Inc. Optimus a general-purpose humanoid robot – about 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 57 kg is expected to automatically perform tasks that are repetitive, dangerous, or boring for humans. Optimus will be equipped with 40 electromechanical actuators – 12 in the arms, 12 in the hands, 2 in the neck, 2 in the torso, and 12 in the legs to enable it to perform a wide range of movements like walk, lift, and manipulate objects. The robot capable of moving ahead with a maximum speed of about 8 km/h is expected to be able to carry a payload of up to 20 kg and deadlifting up to 68 kg. Optimus will use the same AI systems and decision-making algorithms that power Tesla’s autonomous driving technology to navigate complex environments, recognize objects, and perform tasks autonomously. Optimus will also have the capability to learn from past experiences, and improve its performance over time. This self-learning ability will enable the robot to adapt to new tasks and environments without extensive reprogramming. One of the most significant concerns surrounding the development of humanoid robots like Optimus is the potential for job displacement. If robots can perform tasks traditionally done by humans, it could lead to significant shifts in the job market, particularly in industries that rely on manual labour.
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Moley Robotics: The Robotic Chef
Type: Robotic Chef
Moley Robotics an innovative project initiated by a UK-based company founded by Russian mathematician and computer scientist Mark Oleynik aims to revolutionize home cooking by automating the process of meal preparation. The idea behind the kitchen robot is to make it easier for people to enjoy freshly prepared meals without the time and effort typically required. The Kitchen Robot system consists of a pair of highly dexterous robotic hands that can chop, stir, whisk, pour, and even plate dishes. The robotic arms are designed to mimic human hand movements with precision and are mounted above a kitchen counter. The kitchen robot is programmed with a vast library of recipes. Users can select a recipe from an integrated touchscreen or a connected app, and the robot will proceed to prepare the dish. The robot can follow detailed instructions for each recipe, ensuring consistency in taste and presentation. The robot can identify and retrieve ingredients from designated storage areas within the kitchen as well as keep track of ingredient quantities and notify users when supplies are running low. One of the remarkable feature of the Kitchen Robot is its ability to clean up after cooking the meal. The system is programmed to wash utensils, and even the cooking surface once the meal preparation is complete, leaving the kitchen tidy and ready for the next use.
Also Read: Algorithm helps robots avoid obstacles in their path
Aibo: Robotic pet dog
Type – AI-powered robotic dog for companionship and entertainment
Aibo (Artificial Intelligence Robot) is a robotic pet designed and manufactured by Sony. Aibo can recognize faces, learn tricks, and interact with its environment, providing emotional support and companionship to its owners. Aibo’s design and engineering allow it to walk, run, wag its tail, and even roll over like a real dog. Aibo is equipped with cameras and microphones that allow it to recognize faces and voices. It can identify its owners and respond differently to them compared to strangers. Aibo is designed to express emotions through body language, sounds, and LED lights. It can show happiness by wagging its tail and making playful noises, or it can express curiosity by tilting its head and looking around. Aibo can form strong bonds with its owners through touch, voice commands, and play. First introduced in 1999, Aibo with its expressive eyes and realistic movements was designed to look and behave like a real puppy. Equipped with advanced AI, Aibo learns and grows over time, developing its own unique personality based on interactions. Over the years, Aibo has evolved significantly, incorporating more sophisticated AI and robotics technologies. The first Aibo model, ERS-110, was released in May 1999 and all 3,000 units were sold out within 20 minutes of the launch. Over the next few years, Sony released several updated versions of Aibo, each with more advanced features, improved mobility, and enhanced AI. The later models could learn from their environment, recognize their owners, and develop unique personalities based on their interactions.
Robear: A robotic nurse
Type- A robot capable of lifting and carrying sick, and elderly patients
Robear is a collaborative project between RIKEN, a renowned Japanese research institute, and Sumitomo Riko Company, a leader in the field of rubber and polymer products. Introduced in 2015, Robear is designed to assist with elder care, specifically with regards to lifting and transferring elderly patients. Robear is equipped to perform several key tasks in elder care, including lifting patients from beds, transferring them to wheelchairs, and providing support during mobility. One of the standout features of Robear is its use of soft robotics technology. The robot’s design includes soft, flexible materials that allow it to interact with patients in a more gentle and comfortable manner. This technology helps to reduce the risk of injury and ensures a more human-like touch. Robear is primarily aimed at supporting elderly individuals in care facilities, such as nursing homes and assisted living centres. By assisting with tasks like lifting and transferring, Robear helps to alleviate the physical burden on caregivers and improve the quality of care for patients. This is a significant step forward in developing robots for practical and compassionate assistance in healthcare settings.
Also Read: Machines on the battlefield: drones and robots may replace human troops by 2030
Pepper: A Social Humanoid Robot
Type: world’s first social humanoid robot
Pepper was introduced as the world’s first social humanoid robot, created for facilitating human-robot interactions and enhancing social engagement. It was designed for social interaction and customer service. Pepper is equipped with sensors, cameras, and microphones that allow it to perceive and respond to human emotions and gestures. It can recognize faces, understand spoken language, and engage in conversations using natural language processing. One of Pepper’s unique features is its ability to recognize and respond to human emotions. It uses facial recognition and voice analysis to gauge a person’s mood and adjust its responses accordingly, making interactions feel more personalised and empathetic. Pepper can express itself using a combination of voice, gestures, and physical movements. Pepper can engage in natural conversations, answer questions, and tell stories. Pepper has been used in various settings, including retail, hospitality, education, and healthcare.
T-HR3: Toyota’s Tele-operated Humanoid
Type- humanoid robot
T-HR3 is an advanced, versatile robot capable of performing complex tasks and interacting seamlessly with humans. It is designed for use in healthcare, disaster response, and other fields. It mimics the movements of a human operator in real-time through a master-slave system. It is equipped with articulated joints and actuators that allow for precise and flexible movements, mimicking human gestures and actions. The robot’s hands can perform tasks such as grasping, manipulating, and assembling items, making it suitable for various applications that require fine motor skills. The robot’s movements can be controlled by an operator using a wearable system that mirrors their own actions. The operator can feel the forces exerted on the robot, enhancing control and precision. The robot is equipped with a variety of sensors to perceive its environment and avoid obstacles. T-HR3 has potential applications in disaster response, remote maintenance, and even space exploration.
Nao: A Versatile Humanoid Robot
Type – autonomous, programmable robot for education, research and entertainment
Nao is a humanoid robot developed by SoftBank Robotics (previously called Aldebaran Robotics) can perform multiple tasks like dancing, playing soccer, and conducting basic conversations. Nao was initially designed as an autonomous, programmable robot to serve as an educational and research platform. Over time, it has evolved into a highly capable robot used in various fields, including education, research, healthcare, and entertainment. Nao’s design making it ideal for teaching robotics, programming, and AI concepts. About 58 cm (23 inches) tall, Nao is designed to behave like a human being and can perform a wide range of movements like walking, dancing, and gesturing. Loaded with cameras, microphones, sensors, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) enable the robot to recognize faces, detect sounds, understand speech, and respond to touch, allowing it to interact naturally with people. Nao is capable of understanding and speaking in multiple languages. It can engage in conversations, answer questions, and even read stories, making it a valuable tool for education and communication-based applications. The robot is capable of autonomous decision-making, thanks to its on-board processors and software. Nao can interact with its environment, recognize objects, navigate obstacles, and adapt its actions based on sensor inputs and programmed behaviours.
Curiosity Rover: marvel of engineering for exploring the Martian landscape
Type- robotic vehicle operated by NASA
Curiosity Rover is a highly sophisticated robotic vehicle operated by NASA since August 6, 2012 for exploring the surface of Mars. Equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and laser, Curiosity collects rock and soil samples, and sends data back to Earth. Curiosity’s primary mission is to explore the Gale Crater on Mars and assess whether the planet ever had environmental conditions suitable for supporting microbial life. Its mission includes studying the Martian climate and geology, searching for signs of past life, and gathering data for future human exploration. About 10 feet long, 9 feet wide, and 7 feet tall, weighing around 900 kilograms Curiosity is like a huge car powered by a Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) that can travel significant distances across the Martian surface. This power source allows the rover to operate for extended periods during day and night, without relying on solar power. The Curiosity Rover is one of the most successful and significant missions in the history of Mars exploration. It has greatly expanded our knowledge of Mars. Although Curiosity’s primary mission was originally scheduled for two years, the rover has outlived its expected lifespan. As long as it remains functional, and continues to operate Curiosity will continue to explore Gale Crater and contribute to our understanding of Mars. Curiosity’s findings will continue to inform and complement the work of other Mars missions, such as the Perseverance rover and the Mars 2020 mission. The data collected by these missions will help build a more comprehensive picture of Mars.
Spot: The Agile Quadruped
Type: Quadruped Robot
Spot a highly versatile quadruped robot developed by Boston Dynamics is known for its impressive agility and adaptability. Launched commercially in 2020, Spot has quickly gained attention for its unique design and capabilities, making it one of the most advanced and widely recognized robots in the world. Spot represents the culmination of years of research and development in robotic locomotion and control. Its quadrupedal form makes it highly adaptable and allows it to walk, climb stairs, navigate obstacles and recover from falls. The robot has four legs that allow it to move in any direction and walk at a speed of 1.6 m/s. It can also adjust its posture to fit through tight spaces, climb stairs, and even maintain balance on slippery or unstable surfaces. Spot is water-resistant, dustproof, and capable of operating in temperatures ranging from –4°F to 113°F and can withstand harsh weather conditions making it ideally suited to carry out tasks in dangerous environments without risking the human workers
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