AI autonomous robots are playing an increasingly prominent role in the service sector and specialized fields.
In food service, robotic systems are used for tasks such as food preparation and autonomous delivery.
Moley Robotics, based in London, designs robotic systems for both commercial and residential kitchens.
In October 2024, the University of Minnesota, in partnership with Starship Technologies, launched 30 autonomous food delivery robots on campus.
These six-wheeled robots use artificial intelligence (AI) and global positioning system (GPS) technology to deliver food from on-campus restaurants to students who place and track orders via the Starship app.
Various autonomous AI robots, like Moley Robotics’ systems, automate cooking tasks such as ingredient preparation, cooking procedures, and even cleaning.
Miso Robotics is another company creating AI-powered robots for kitchens, known for Flippy, the world’s first AI kitchen assistant for fry stations.
Miso Robotics has partnered with NVIDIA’s Isaac platform to enhance Flippy’s motion and AI capabilities, improving efficiency and adaptability in busy kitchens.
Using NVIDIA’s Isaac robot operating system (ROS) and deep learning, Flippy can autonomously handle tasks like flipping burgers, running the deep fryer, and monitoring food quality.
In 2017, I wrote about Sophia, the humanoid robot from Hanson Robotics.
Sophia applies computer vision to interpret her surroundings, and employs AI technologies and neural networks to learn from acquired data to recognize patterns and making decisions.
She can recognize faces, process language, and engage in human-like interactions.
Sophia appeared on the “Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon April 25, 2017, where she demonstrated her conversational abilities and played rock-paper-scissors with Fallon. See bit.ly/3CnhVwR.
Sophia reappeared Nov. 21, 2018, showcasing new skills and performing an impressive duet of “Say Something” with Fallon. See bit.ly/40uaOdX.
Interest in AI-powered robots extends to industrial and high-tech applications.
Microsoft is supporting Figure AI, which is developing humanoid robots for industrial use.
Amazon is working with Agility Robotics to use Digit, a bipedal robot that walks on two legs, to stack totes and containers in its fulfillment centers. The robot can navigate independently.
NVIDIA is developing Jetson Thor, a powerful platform designed for AI and robotics.
Meanwhile, Tesla is creating Optimus, a humanoid robot with human-like dexterity and navigation.
In September 2023, Elon Musk shared a video of Optimus’ human-like walking abilities and highlighted its potential for factory tasks and even household chores.
Musk has suggested the robot could assist with elder care and serve as an emotional support companion.
Tesla plans to begin Optimus production by late 2025.
Police departments are increasingly using AI-capable robots, such as Peraton Remotec’s ANDROS (Automatic Non-Destructive Robotic System) and QinetiQ’s TALON, to assess threats and disarm explosives.
These robots are typically remotely controlled but are gaining AI-powered features for greater autonomy in dangerous situations, like dealing with unexploded ordnance (UXO) or improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Boston Dynamics, headquartered in Waltham, MA, manufactures “Spot,” a four-legged robot equipped with 360-degree visual perception and AI for reconnaissance and security monitoring.
Spot can navigate rough terrain, balance itself, and move quickly in challenging environments.
Boston Dynamics introduced Atlas, a five-foot, 175-pound humanoid robot with AI capabilities April 17, 2024.
Atlas is equipped with RGB (red, green, blue) cameras and depth sensors, enabling it to navigate complex environments and interact with objects.
The company plans to use Atlas in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and disaster response, though it is not yet commercially available.
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, launched an open-source AI model that has been described as a “Sputnik moment.”
Chinese AI company DeepSeek has developed powerful, large language models comparable to those from Google, OpenAI, and Meta, underscoring China’s rapid AI progress.
It has sparked a “Sputnik moment” concern, reminiscent of the historic 1957 Soviet satellite launch, suggesting a potential shift that challenges US leadership in AI.DeepSeek’s models, particularly its open-source DeepSeek Coder, are notable for their strong performance.
AI and robotics are being integrated into military operations for improved human-robot collaboration, autonomous decision-making, and enhanced target recognition.
Military robots are used for combat support, surveillance, reconnaissance, and logistics.
The US military has been experimenting with wearable exoskeletons embedded with sensors and AI to learn a soldier’s distinct patterns.
It continuously adapts to provide personalized support for performance, improving endurance, mobility, and lifting capacity for physically demanding tasks of soldiers.
Wearable exoskeletons help soldiers reduce fatigue and optimize their effectiveness in various situations.
Robotic devices, such as Remotec’s ANDROS EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) robot, help locate and disarm dangerous ordnance.
Samsung developed the SGR-A1 (Samsung Guard Robot), a semi-autonomous sentry robot used for security applications using AI for target detection and tracking; it requires human authorization to engage targets.
Similarly, defense companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing are working to integrate AI into military robots, enhancing situational awareness and real-time decision-making.
The United Nations (UN) Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is discussing regulations for autonomous weapons.
It is concerned about the growing use of robots in warfare and the potential for AI systems to make life-or-death decisions.
Which brings to mind the 1968 “Star Trek” episode “The Ultimate Computer,” in which an AI, M-5, takes control of the starship USS Enterprise. Initially praised for its autonomous abilities, M-5 eventually disregards built-in safeguards, leading to disastrous results.
Dr. McCoy’s comment, “Fantastic machine, the M-5. No off-switch,” raises an important question – could future AI and robotics present a threat to civilization?
AI of the future better have an off-switch.
