Robot brain builders are pushing out of their GPT-2 era
techcrunch ·
Physical AI is a hot investment sector, but a recent IPO slump for robot maker Unitree highlights a key problem: robots lack the software intelligence to perform valuable tasks. Developers at the Actuate conference are focused on overcoming a 'robotics data crisis' by improving training data, simulations, and reinforcement learning. One founder compares the field to OpenAI's 'GPT-2 era,' needing more data and compute to advance. Autonomous vehicle companies are leading in this space, and firms like Wayve and Uber are now applying their AI expertise to humanoid robots. There is debate over whether to pursue general-purpose robots or focus on specific verticals like solar farm construction or excavation. A 'ChatGPT moment' for physical AI is uncertain, with some expecting breakthrough consumer applications while others argue real-world distribution makes a sudden moment unlikely.
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