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Aaron Saunders, the CTO of Boston Dynamics, will discuss Atlas in his keynote at the Robotics Summit & Expo. | Source: Boston Dynamics
Last week, Boston Dynamics Inc. revealed an expanded partnership with NVIDIA Corp. aimed at enhancing artificial intelligence capabilities in humanoid robotics.
Utilizing NVIDIA’s Isaac GR00T framework, Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot operates on the NVIDIA Jetson Thor computing platform. The compact and efficient design of the Jetson Thor enables Atlas to execute complex AI models that integrate with the company’s advanced whole-body and manipulation controls, according to the companies involved.
“Our robots act as the connecting point between virtual simulation and real-world functionality,” said Aaron Saunders, CTO at Boston Dynamics.
“With our current generation of electric Atlas, we are creating an unparalleled humanoid,” he continued. “Teaming up with NVIDIA to incorporate Jetson Thor means our robot operates with the highest-performance computing available. The Isaac lab has been crucial in developing cutting-edge AI capabilities, and initial results are promising.”
NVIDIA and partners push the boundaries of robot learning
Boston Dynamics also highlighted that it, alongside its research collaborators, is making strides in developing AI policies focused on dexterity and locomotion through the Isaac Lab. This open-source, modular framework supports robotic learning in realistic virtual settings, built on NVIDIA’s Isaac Sim and Omniverse technologies.
As part of their collaboration, NVIDIA and Boston Dynamics are setting essential platform parameters that include safety and security measures, along with key components for learning and computer vision pipelines, utilizing NVIDIA’s training and simulation resources. The latest developments from this partnership were shared at NVIDIA’s GTC event last week.
In addition to enhancements with Atlas, Boston Dynamics remains committed to advancing AI functionalities for Spot, its quadrupedal robot, as well as Orbit, its management tool for robot fleets and data analytics. The introduction of new reinforcement learning (RL) tools is enhancing Spot’s locomotion abilities, while sophisticated foundation models are aiding it in navigating potential obstacles in its environment.
Boston Dynamics set to offer insights on Atlas at Robotics Summit
Humanoid robots will take center stage at the Robotics Summit & Expo, scheduled for April 30 and May 1 in Boston, organized by WTWH Media, the parent company of The Robot Report.
Saunders will deliver a keynote titled “Redesigning Atlas: Boston Dynamics on the Future of Humanoids.” In this presentation, he will delve into the award-winning electric Atlas and share experiences gained from leading humanoid robotics development for many years.
This session will highlight the challenges and the potential that humanoids present for practical applications, offering a peek into Boston Dynamics’ ongoing innovations in the field.
Furthermore, the first day of the summit will feature a panel discussion on the current landscape of humanoid robotics with industry leaders including Pras Velagapudi from Agility Robotics, Aaron Prather from ASTM International, and Al Makke from Schaeffler.
Panelists will address various technical and business obstacles affecting humanoid technology development, while also sharing insights from early practical applications, initiatives to define safety standards, and future prospects.
The Robotics Summit & Expo is expected to attract over 5,000 professionals interested in robotics for diverse commercial uses. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the latest enabling technologies, engineering best practices, and upcoming industry trends.
Attendees can also look forward to engaging with more than 200 exhibitors, over 70 speakers, and an extensive networking program that spans more than ten hours. Highlights will also include a Women in Robotics Breakfast, a career fair, a startup showcase, and additional activities.
The event will once again host the RBR50 Pavilion and RBR50 Awards Dinner, celebrating recipients of the annual RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards.
Source
www.therobotreport.com