Intel Unveils Largest Neuromorphic Computer
AI NEWS Intel has launched the world’s largest neuromorphic computer, designed to process and store data similarly to the human brain, potentially enhancing AI model capabilities. This cutting-edge device, named Hala Point, incorporates 1.15 billion artificial neurons across 1152 Loihi 2 chips, achieving up to 380 trillion synaptic operations per second, yet only occupies the space equivalent to a microwave oven.
Unlike traditional computers that separate processing and data storage, neuromorphic computers integrate these functions within artificial neurons, eliminating the data transfer bottleneck seen in conventional systems. This architecture could significantly increase energy efficiency—Intel claims Hala Point is 100 times more energy-efficient than traditional computers when solving optimization problems.
However, the development of neuromorphic computing faces significant software hurdles that need addressing to harness this technology fully. These include developing software layers capable of translating real-world problems into formats that neuromorphic computers can process.
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of neuromorphic computers are substantial. They could revolutionize the way AI models are trained and operated, moving towards a continuous learning model similar to human cognitive processes. However, experts like James Knight from the University of Sussex caution against expecting quick integration into mainstream technology, noting that significant advancements in software development are required to realize their full potential.
Intel’s Hala Point represents a monumental step in neuromorphic computing, promising to push the boundaries of what’s possible with AI and offering a glimpse at a future where computers more closely mimic the functionalities of the human brain. SOURCE
Amazon Enhances Just Walk Out Tech
AI NEWS Amazon is advancing its checkout-free shopping technology, Just Walk Out, along with Amazon Dash Cart and Amazon One palm recognition service. Originally developed for Amazon’s own physical stores like Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh, these technologies are now enhancing shopping experiences worldwide by eliminating checkout lines.
Just Walk Out technology is particularly favored in small-format stores for mission-driven, quick trips. Due to positive shopper feedback, Amazon plans to significantly increase the number of third-party small-format stores utilizing this technology in 2024. For larger grocery stores, customers prefer the Amazon Dash Cart, which offers a dynamic shopping aid that helps locate items and manage budgets in real time via an interactive on-cart screen.
Amazon One enhances the shopping experience with secure, palm-based checkout across over 500 Whole Foods Market stores and numerous third-party locations. The service, used over 8 million times, is popular for its convenience and security, with the majority of users opting to use it repeatedly.
AI NEWS The expansion of Just Walk Out technology includes various third-party venues like sports stadiums and hospitals, showcasing its broad appeal due to the increased sales and operational efficiencies it offers businesses. For example, Lumen Field reported significant increases in transactions and sales after implementing Just Walk Out technology.
As Amazon continues to develop these technologies, it also focuses on enhancing large-format store experiences and further integrating AI solutions to improve customer convenience and operational efficiencies.
Amazon is advancing its checkout-free shopping technology, Just Walk Out, along with Amazon Dash Cart and Amazon One palm recognition service. Originally developed for Amazon’s own physical stores like Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh, these technologies are now enhancing shopping experiences worldwide by eliminating checkout lines.
Just Walk Out technology is particularly favored in small-format stores for mission-driven, quick trips. Due to positive shopper feedback, Amazon plans to significantly increase the number of third-party small-format stores utilizing this technology in 2024. For larger grocery stores, customers prefer the Amazon Dash Cart, which offers a dynamic shopping aid that helps locate items and manage budgets in real time via an interactive on-cart screen.
Amazon One enhances the shopping experience with secure, palm-based checkout across over 500 Whole Foods Market stores and numerous third-party locations. The service, used over 8 million times, is popular for its convenience and security, with the majority of users opting to use it repeatedly.
The expansion of Just Walk Out technology includes various third-party venues like sports stadiums and hospitals, showcasing its broad appeal due to increased sales and operational efficiencies it offers businesses. For example, Lumen Field reported significant increases in transactions and sales after implementing Just Walk Out technology.
As Amazon continues to develop these technologies, it also focuses on enhancing large-format store experiences and further integrating AI solutions to improve customer convenience and operational efficiencies. SOURCE
Atlas Robot Goes Electric
AI NEWS Atlas lies motionless in a prone position atop interlocking gym mats. The only soundtrack is the whirring of an electric motor. It’s not quiet, exactly, but it’s nothing compared to the hydraulic jerks of its ancestors.
As the camera pans around the robot’s back, its legs bend at the knees. It’s a natural movement, at first, before crossing into an uncanny realm, like something out of a Sam Raimi movie. The robot, which appeared to be lying on its back, has effectively switched positions with this clever bit of leg rotation.
As Atlas fully stands, it does so with its back to the camera. Now the head spins around 180 degrees before the torso follows suit. It stands for a moment, offering the camera its first clear view of its head — a ring light forming the perimeter of a perfectly round screen. Once again, the torso follows the head’s 180, as Atlas walks away from the camera and out of frame.
A day after retiring the hydraulic version of its humanoid robot, Boston Dynamics just announced that — like Bob Dylan before it — Atlas just went electric.
The pace is fast, and the steps are still a bit jerky — though significantly more fluid than many of the new commercial humanoids to which we’ve been introduced over the past couple of years. If anything, the gait brings to mind the brash confidence of Spot, Atlas’ cousin whose branch on the evolutionary tree forked off from the humanoid a few generations ago.
Just a day after retiring its older hydraulic model, Boston Dynamics’ CEO Robert Playter opened up about the company’s plans to shift towards commercially viable humanoid robots. The newly unveiled version, named “All New Atlas,” sports a significant redesign, shedding the bulky appearance of its predecessors for a sleeker, more approachable look that aligns with competitors like Agility’s Digit and Apptronik’s Apollo.
Despite adopting a more cartoonish and friendly design, the robot retains its iconic name, Atlas, diverging from the company’s usual trend of renaming models for commercial release—SpotMini became Spot, and Handle became Stretch. Playter hinted that the name might change as the project progresses towards mass production.
Boston Dynamics is setting its sights on a future where Atlas robots are integrated into Hyundai’s operations, with pilot testing scheduled to start next year. The collaboration with Hyundai has been in the works for some time, featuring both companies exchanging technology and insights. Playter emphasized the importance of understanding specific use cases and ensuring the robots offer enough productivity to justify their investment. Full production of the electric Atlas is slated for a few years out, marking a cautious but focused approach to bringing humanoid robots to market.
Doing a 180
AI NEWS The new “All New Atlas” teaser from Boston Dynamics highlights the robot’s sophisticated movement, underscoring that humanoid robots need not mimic human limitations. As Playter explains, the Atlas is equipped with custom, high-powered actuators that grant it the agility and strength of an elite athlete, packed into a compact frame used throughout its design.
This flexibility is evident in the robot’s ability to start from a prone position, performing what could be seen as just a cool trick but is actually a practical feature. Unlike many industrial robots that require human help after a fall, Atlas can autonomously recover and continue working, significantly boosting productivity.
Moreover, Atlas’s ability to quickly turn and maneuver in tight spaces is crucial for its integration into existing workflows without needing spatial redesigns. Such enhanced maneuverability not only increases efficiency but also the robot’s utility in dense industrial environments. Boston Dynamics, known for its eye-catching robot videos, demonstrates that beyond entertainment, these capabilities have substantial industrial applications. Playter notes that Atlas can perform tasks beyond human capabilities, which opens up new possibilities for its practical deployment in various settings.
Head and hands
AI NEWS The latest iteration of Boston Dynamics’ robot features hands that are not entirely new, having been introduced on the hydraulic model. Yet, they represent a departure from strictly human-like designs, featuring three fingers rather than the typical four or five. Playter explains that this design choice prioritizes durability and simplicity in interactions, aiming for reliable, compliant grasping that can adapt to various shapes and has enhanced sensory feedback to detect contact.
A distinctive feature of the robot is its head, designed with a large, round display reminiscent of a cosmetic mirror, which diverged significantly from the typical humanoid appearance. Playter notes, “We really deliberated over this design element. While other models featured more humanoid heads, we opted for something that would appear friendlier and more approachable. It’s not just about aesthetics—the head’s shape serves practical functions, housing sensors and providing a display that could facilitate interaction with humans in future applications.”
General Intelligence
AI NEWS Elon Musk has often made ambitious claims, especially evident in the initial reveal of Tesla’s Optimus, which was promised to be a highly versatile robot capable of performing a range of daily tasks from factory work to cooking dinner. Yet, the reality of robotics is more gradual, focusing on perfecting specific tasks one at a time, such as transporting items from one location to another.
While the concept of general-purpose humanoids is a topic of discussion, effectively utilizing such robots involves developing broader intelligence capabilities. Unlike Boston Dynamics’ Spot, which has expanded its capabilities through developer contributions via an app store model, Boston Dynamics does not plan to adopt this approach for its Atlas robot.
Robert Playter of Boston Dynamics explains, “We are focused on developing targeted applications ourselves rather than creating a platform. We believe that directly tackling specific problems will accelerate our progress. AI will play a crucial role in enhancing the robot’s versatility for various tasks, supported by AI techniques.”
This strategy is evident in the company’s decision to provide developers access to Spot’s reinforcement learning algorithms, laying the groundwork for advancing Atlas’s capabilities. SOURCE
Conclusion
Boston Dynamics’ latest AI NEWS reveal of the electric version of Atlas marks a significant step toward the commercial viability of humanoid robots. By transitioning from hydraulic to electric and adopting a more user-friendly design, the “All New Atlas” represents a leap in both technology and approachability. As the company prepares for pilot testing at Hyundai facilities, the future of humanoid robots appears promising, with potential widespread applications that could revolutionize various industries. This evolution from a viral sensation to a practical solution underscores Boston Dynamics’ commitment to blending cutting-edge technology with real-world utility, setting a new standard for the future of robotic engineering.
Stay connected with Arcot Group for more AI News into how such collaborations are reshaping the tech landscape and paving the way for future innovations. For further reading on similar breakthroughs and the impact of AI and robotics, explore our blog.
