Report: OpenAI has thought of growing a humanoid robotic

OpenAI staffers have lately floated the potential for growing a humanoid robotic, The Data reported at the moment.

The publication discovered of the discussions from two individuals with “direct data” of the matter. Particulars in regards to the potential challenge are scant. It’s unclear when OpenAI is perhaps hoping to introduce the robotic or what use instances it could goal.

At the moment, the handful of startups growing humanoid robots are specializing in two important use instances. The primary is making warehouses extra environment friendly by automating duties resembling shifting merchandise from one a part of a facility to a different. The opposite goal use case, in flip, helps customers carry out family chores.

OpenAI is an investor in a number of of the businesses constructing robots for these use instances. 

In February, the ChatGPT developer backed a $625 million funding spherical for Determine AI Inc. at a $2.6 billion valuation. The startup’s latest humanoid robotic, the Determine 02, makes use of synthetic intelligence fashions developed  with OpenAI to course of voice instructions from warehouse staff. Earlier this yr, BMW examined the Determine 02 at one in all its automotive vegetation by utilizing the machine to maneuver steel elements. 

OpenAI can be an investor in 1X, a Norway-based Determine rival. It has developed a humanoid robotic referred to as EVE that travels on a pair of wheels at as much as 9.8 miles per hour. The corporate is presently engaged on a second, consumer-focused machine that’s slower however can carry out a broader vary of duties.

For OpenAI, teaming up with a startup resembling 1X or Determine to construct its humanoid robotic could possibly be quicker than creating every part from scratch. The ChatGPT developer’s investments within the humanoid robotic phase would doubtless ease the duty of discovering a design accomplice. Alternatively, OpenAI might use a portion of its newly raised $6.6 billion funding spherical to purchase an current market participant.

The corporate isn’t any stranger to robotics. Till 2021, it operated a unit devoted to growing AI fashions for autonomous machines. 

The unit achieved a number of analysis milestones earlier than shutting down. In a single challenge, OpenAI researchers educated a robotic arm (image) to unravel a Rubik’s dice. The corporate additionally open-sourced Roboschool, a set of simulation instruments that can be utilized to coach robots’ onboard AI software program. A few of these simulations are geared towards growing humanoid robots.

If it materializes, OpenAI’s foray into robotics may benefit from its rumored efforts to develop customized AI chips.

Reuters lately reported that the corporate is working with Broadcom Inc. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to develop an inference processor. In idea, OpenAI might leverage these partnerships to fee one other customized chip optimized to energy its humanoid robotic’s onboard AI software program. Normally, customized processors present higher efficiency than off-the-shelf silicon as a result of they’re extra intently aligned with the host gadget’s necessities.

Picture: OpenAI