In a groundbreaking move, robotics pioneer Boston Dynamics and the esteemed Toyota Research Institute (TRI) have joined forces to develop general-purpose humanoid robots. This partnership promises to push the boundaries of robotics by combining Boston Dynamics’ renowned hardware expertise with TRI’s leading-edge software capabilities.
Boston Dynamics will contribute its latest electric Atlas robot to the endeavor. The electric Atlas, hailed as one of the most advanced humanoid robots ever built, boasts exceptional agility and dexterity, surpassing human capabilities in various tasks. The company has a rich history in robotics innovation, dating back to its origins as an MIT spin-off in 1992. From the iconic BigDog and LittleDog quadrupedal systems to the evolution of its bipedal Atlas platform, Boston Dynamics has consistently pushed the boundaries of robotic performance.
TRI, on the other hand, brings its expertise in Large Behavior Models (LBMs) to the table. LBMs are the robotic equivalent of LLMs (Large Language Models) that power chatbots. Just as LLMs learn from vast datasets of human language to generate human-like responses, LBMs are trained on massive datasets of human behaviors, allowing robots to move and act with human-like grace and adaptability. This technology empowers robots to acquire new skills and apply them across various tasks.
TRI’s vision for LBMs is ambitious: to create foundational models that integrate vision, language, and dexterous manipulation, enabling robots to navigate and interact with the world in increasingly sophisticated ways. As Gill Pratt, Chief Scientist for Toyota and CEO of TRI, emphasized, “Recent advances in AI and machine learning hold tremendous potential for advancing physical intelligence.” This partnership, he believes, is a game-changer for both organizations, ultimately aiming to enhance human capabilities and improve quality of life.
This news arrives amidst a burgeoning field of companies striving to integrate robots into the future workforce. Agility Robotics’ Digit and Figure’s 01 and 02 models are already being tested in industrial settings, including BMW’s Spartanburg plant and a Spanx production facility. While Tesla’s Optimus is also in the race, its current models still require remote operation for tasks beyond the most basic. The collaboration between Boston Dynamics and TRI signifies a significant leap forward in the development of general-purpose humanoid robots, potentially ushering in a new era of automation and human-robot collaboration.