This Humanoid Robot Is a Terrifyingly Competent Office Intern

Humanoid robots might be able to run, dance and occasionally kick people, but to become truly human, they are going to need to learn how to do all sorts of menial chores at work.

Flexion Robotics, a Swiss startup founded by ex-Nvidia robotics researchers, thinks it has the solution. The company has developed a way to train robots to perform complex tasks that involve simple skills like opening doors, climbing stairs and carrying boxes. The key is to teach the robots individual skills in simulation, then have a master AI algorithm determine how to use them.

Most demo videos show humanoids that have been trained to do a specific task, like folding shirts or loading shelves. Typically, this is done through teleoperation—a person behind the scenes who controls the robot’s movements. But this approach doesn't work reliably when the robot is put into unfamiliar settings. Flexion says its system is different—and more efficient—because it trains its robots in simulation and with limited human instruction.

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