Posted By: W. Steve Wilson
Posted: April 12, 2021
I want to start a series of short commentaries on Robotics, particularly human form robots continuing through self-aware robots, the AI and Robot convergence, human-like robots, and maybe artificial life. Now that Jean-Luc Picard is a synthetic lifeform, it seems only fitting.
From recent discussions with friends, it seems we might consider three reasons to create human form robots: Servants/Tools/Workers, Companionship, or the challenge of scientific advancement (to see if we can). The first of these has had extensive treatment in fiction—but there are always more stories to tell, so we’ll explore some of the history and where current technology might be going. The latter two—I’ll see where that takes us.
But this week, let’s consider a fourth purpose—a dance partner. Boston Dynamics has produced a fantastic video where they taught human-form robots to dance to the tune Do You Love Me. You need to see these Robots Dancing.
If you’d like to know how they did it, check out this article where Boston Dynamics discusses the choreography, the machine learning, etc., that it took.
How Boston Dynamics Taught Its Robots to Dance
One section I found particularly interesting was how the professional dancers’ abilities exceeded remarkably the robots’ abilities. The choreography needed to be adjusted to conform to the movement and strength capabilities of the robots. Maybe that is the fundamental question—what can and should robots do and what can and should humans do. Not an easy question—at the risk of an understatement.
We’ll take up that question and others over the next several weeks. I hope you come back and see where it takes us. In the meantime, consider—would you accept a robot as a caregiver? How about a household servant? When does the robot get to decide what it wants to do?
Thanks for stopping by. Feel free to leave a comment.
I wonder if a cocktail or two would loosen up those bots, they seem a little stiff. That generally works for me. Or at least I think it does.
Now there’s a question to explore – just what would you put in a bot cocktail? One part WD-40, two parts silicone, and a small jolt from my electrode. (apologies to Boris)
Definitely cool and definitely sharing with J and J and the girls. I’d have a robot helper…already do in fact….Jaws does the vacuuming but can’t dance….
Thanks, Georgi. Yeah, our guy Sharky can vacuum but can’t dance. But then again, that would apply to me as well. Can’t fault the little guy for a specific skill set.
OMG, what a hoot! Not always willing to do the “deep dive” to find the amazing things tech is doing but appreciate that you’re willing to pass on the best of the best. A must see for everyone, LOL. Loved the retrospective on why our children will “hate us”, too! Who knows what the future holds but an interesting conversation starter, INDEED. Look forward to your next share, keep the good times coming. Kris