The consensus view of robots is wrong
Today's AlleyCorp Robotics comic is a great example of (a) how LLMs simply reflect what people already "know", and (b) how the consensus view on robots is humanoids and arms - which is not the right answer for most automation. I kept asking GPT to draw robots building a house. Kept asking it to do so without humanoids, without arms or legs, etc. And it kept giving me results like these:
They're cute, but it just can't imagine a world of robots without humanoids. I pushed it harder - give me humans using automation to build houses with higher productivity. Kept imagining arms:
The consensus view when folks think robots is humanoids, androids, lots of 6DOF robot arms. All of these are expensive and overkill for most automation needs. A dishwasher in our house looks nothing like this - yet these are some of the most successful "robots" in history. Contrast GPTs expectations with what truly innovative builders do - such as our portfolio company Renovate Robotics :
Andy Stulc 's innovation here is an automation solution for roofing - doubling the productivity of human labor in one of the most dangerous jobs humans still do. No humanoids, no 6DOF arms. Simple and effective.
So -- robot founders --> are you mimicking GPT and building the "consensus view" of what robotic solutions should be? ?? ??
Or are you innovating a non-consensus solution to a problem you deeply understand by starting with the customer and their need? ?? ?? ??
Amazing! But are complex and super expensive humanoid arms and legs needed for 99% of use cases? :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr1q8plvLYg
Marketing Consultant | Independent Affiliate Marketer | Mommie | BITS Pilani Alumni
9 个月Innovation in robotics isn't about mimicking consensus but understanding real needs. Renovate Robotics exemplifies this, focusing on practical solutions, not humanoid stereotypes. The future of robotics seems promising, that’s why I have also enrolled my son in a robotics program, so that he can learn more and more about robotics and can grow in every aspect https://moonpreneur.com/robotics/
Student at North South University
1 年Excellent insight on the human bias against humanoid robots! True innovation is frequently impeded by this, as you correctly point out. Rokon Zaman's "Seesaw Play" article scrutinizes overhyped technological innovations as well, but your emphasis on overcoming the anthropomorphic prejudice adds an important dimension. I'm especially curious about your opinions on how non-humanoid alternatives, such as Renovate Robotics, might lessen resource consumption and ethical issues in comparison to sophisticated humanoid robots, in addition to addressing this bias. Could you go into further detail about this? [URL:?https://www.the-waves.org/2020/07/24/seesaw-play-of-humanoid-robots-will-it-keep-continuing/]
Co-Founder & CEO at KEWAZO | Automating construction with robotics and data analytics
1 年Amen
ex-SoftBank, Vision Fund Commercialization | Autonomous, Robotics, Automation | Founder | Advisor | Investor
1 年Abe Murray great post as always.... From a go-to-market perspective, this is probably one of the top issues that I see with the founders/teams I work with. There is a fundamental problem re: how teams (were taught/not taught) to describe/position their automation/robotic solutions. A surprising number of teams don't even realize that this challenge exists... and is adding unnecessary friction in the sales/market penetration process. Maybe I will have to re-share and make a dedicated post... pressure point... lol