AI-powered robots are popping up across Silicon Valley. If some industry experts are right, they could help solve a global labor shortage. Companies like Tesla, Amazon, Microsoft and Nvidia
have plowed billions of dollars into what are known as “humanoid” robots. These machines typically stand on two legs, and are designed to perform tasks meant for people. For now, they’re being deployed in warehouses. But proponents say the possibilities extend well beyond fulfillment centers. These bots could eventually work alongside people, in homes and offices. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been among the leading evangelists. The electric vehicle maker is betting on its Optimus robot, which Musk argues are “going to transform the world to a degree even greater than the cars.” During the company’s first-quarter earnings call, Musk said Optimus could propel it to a $25 trillion market cap and that it will amount to “a majority of Tesla’s long-term value.” Amazon has backed Agility Robotics, and is already deploying its Digit robots in fulfillment centers. The market for humanoids is set to balloon to $38 billion in the next 20 years, according to an analysis by Goldman Sachs. The firm predicts these robots will be the next “must-have” device, not unlike smartphones or EVs. Goldman also say humanoids may be “vital for manufacturing and dangerous work, but they would also help with elderly care and fill in for labor shortages in factories.”These human-like robots have been around for decades. But there’s a renewed optimism in the industry, thanks to recent leaps in artificial intelligence. The same technology behind OpenAI’s ChatGPT is enabling robots to interpret language and commands, and make decisions on how to act. The machines use computer vision and, similar to humans, train in real world scenarios.
Full report : Why Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, and Tesla are betting huge for artificial intelligence powered robots.
