Boston Dynamics teaches Spot robot to speak (yes, with ChatGPT and other AI models) - video
Boston Dynamics has created Spot, a tour guide robot that is integrated with Chat GPT and other AI models and can support conversations and mimic different communication styles.
What happened.
Boston Dynamics presented a video demonstrating the innovative capabilities of Spot robots that actively use advanced AI technologies. They not only act as guides, moving along predefined routes, but also interact with the environment based on understanding the context and answering questions. This was made possible by integrating modern AI models, including ChatGPT, which facilitate creative interaction between robots and people.
The scenarios developed for Spot robots include a variety of characters and roles, ranging from an archaeologist talking about the 1920s to an actor quoting Shakespeare. These roles highlight the robots' ability to adapt to context and change the way they interact. This interaction is taken to a new level through experiments with sarcasm and other human-specific forms of communication, opening the door to a deeper exploration of human language and behaviour.
The detailed study of Spot's capabilities also focuses on the use of robots in high-risk or complex situations where high precision manipulation is required. This could have a wide range of applications in various industries, from production automation to emergency relief.
In addition, the project demonstrates the "lateral thinking" of robots, which is reflected in the ability to make associative connections between words, ideas, and cultural concepts, according to which they form answers to indirect questions. This creates the basis for the further development of artificial intelligence towards a deeper understanding and interpretation of human experience and the socio-cultural context.
What else can it do?
The video also highlights the possibilities of personalising the robot's character by changing just a few lines in the script, allowing the robot to interact with people more naturally and with different "personalities". One of the examples presented includes a robot that behaves like a 1920s archaeologist or a Shakespearean actor. The video also demonstrates how the robot is able to perform complex tasks, such as guiding tours or performing industrial inspections, with high precision and finesse.
Why it matters.
The integration of advanced AI technologies into robots will not only allow robots to better perceive the world, but also to act effectively in it, using their own interpretations and conclusions, which will provide greater autonomy and adaptability in a wide range of tasks and scenarios.
About Boston Dynamics
Boston Dynamics is a pioneer in the development of advanced robots known for their mobility, flexibility and performance. Founded in 1992 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the company has produced several groundbreaking models, including BigDog, Atlas and Spot, which are capable of performing tasks in challenging environments and have been used in civil, industrial and military applications. Boston Dynamics' strategy is to combine innovative ideas and technical expertise to further advance the field of robotics, which aims to improve human life and work processes.
Boston Dynamics is owned by Hyundai Motor Group. The South Korean automotive giant acquired the company from SoftBank Group in December 2020. In turn, SoftBank Group acquired Boston Dynamics from Google, the parent company of Alphabet Inc. The deal was announced in June 2017. The reason for the sale was difficulties with the commercialisation of Boston Dynamics products within Alphabet, as well as Alphabet's strategic decision to focus on other areas of the business. SoftBank, which has invested in a wide range of technology companies, saw significant potential in the robotics developed by Boston Dynamics, but later decided to sell the company to Hyundai in 2020.
Source: YouTube
