If we look back at some of the most important tech highlights of 2024, we must say AI humanoid robotics witnessed remarkable advancements, with industry leaders like Tesla and NVIDIA spearheading innovations that are set to redefine human-robot interaction.
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Tech refinements finally propelled humanoid robots from conceptual prototypes to functional entities that are ready to integrate into various sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, and domestic environments. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights…
Throughout 2024, Tesla’s second generation of Optimus humanoid robot, Optimus Gen 2, continued to make waves – demonstrating its improved dexterity and mobility. This generation of the robot can perform a variety of tasks, including walking at a pace 30% faster than the original prototype, doing squats, dancing, and even boiling eggs. All of this is possible because Optimus Gen 2 features improved dexterity with new hands that have 11 degrees of freedom and tactile sensors, enabling it to handle delicate tasks.
Elon Musk has ambitious plans for the Optimus Gen 2 line, stating that Tesla aims to begin low production of the humanoid robot for internal use in 2025, with hopes of scaling up for external sales by 2026. Musk envisions these humanoid robots taking on repetitive and mundane tasks in both industrial and domestic settings, thereby impacting labour-intensive work across various sectors.
Not wanting Tesla to have all the fun, Figure AI unveiled its second-generation humanoid robot, Figure 02, in August 2024. Standing 5-feet 6-inch tall and weighing 70 kg, the Figure 02 is designed to perform a variety of tasks, including navigating complex environments and interacting with humans through its enhanced speech capabilities.
Equipped with six RGB cameras and a powerful onboard AI system developed in collaboration with OpenAI, Figure 02 can engage in conversations and execute tasks autonomously, showcasing significant improvements over its predecessor. The company aims to deploy these robots across various industries, such as manufacturing and logistics, to address labour shortages and enhance productivity.
After previously shutting down its robotics division in 2021, rumour mills are abyss with OpenAI reportedly planning to re-enter the humanoid robot sector. According to several reports, the AI company is in talks with semiconductor companies like TSMC and Broadcom to create specialised chips for these humanoid robots. This only seemed the next logical step for OpenAI, which has been making investments in several robotic startups, hinting at their long-term and highly ambitious plans for the future of humanoid robotics.
Unveiled at GTC 2024, NVIDIA’s Project GROOT stands for Generalist Robot 00 Technology and aims to significantly improve humanoid robot learning through advanced AI capabilities. According to NVIDIA, the project enables robots to understand natural language and emulate human movements by observing actions, allowing them to quickly acquire skills such as limb coordination and dexterity.
To support this initiative, NVIDIA introduced Jetson Thor, a powerful system-on-a-chip designed specifically for humanoid robots, capable of delivering 800 teraflops of AI performance. According to NVIDIA, the ultimate goal of Project GROOT is to create intelligent, adaptable robots that can seamlessly interact with their environments, enhancing their applicability across various industries while collaborating with leading robotics companies like Boston Dynamics and Agility Robotics to push the boundaries of what humanoid robots can achieve.
Let’s see how this incredibly dynamic field of humanoid robots keeps pace with rest of the AI industry’s advancements throughout 2025 and beyond.
Also read: India’s first humanoid robot to debut in 2025 by Mukesh Ambani-backed Addverb