Nvidia announces platform with generative AI features to power humanoid robots.

Nvidia on Monday announced a hardware and software platform for building humanoid robots that includes Creative artificial intelligence characteristics.

The new platform will consist of a computer system that will power the robot. A.IIn addition, a software package including genAI and other tools to create robots that are human-like, the company said at its annual developer conference.

The addition of genAI will allow humanoid robots to perform actions based on inputs from a combination of language, video, “human expressions” and past experiences. Called Project GR00T, the genAI components will add to the company’s existing hardware and software platform for robotics.

“These smarter, faster, better robots will be deployed in the world’s heavy industries,” said Rio Labardin, vice president, Omniverse and Simulation Technology, in a briefing with reporters. “We’re working with the entire robot and simulation ecosystem around the world to accelerate development and adoption.”

The powerful computer behind the genAI software is called the “Jetson Thor” and is based around one of the company’s AI chips and other hardware. The company said the computer would provide a robot with enough computing horsepower to perform complex tasks and interact with people and machines.

The suite of software tools is called the “Isaac” platform, and the GR00T genAI’s new features are designed to work for “any robot sculpture in any environment.” The tools include the ability to train software to make better decisions over time, a process known as reinforcement learning.

Nvidia also said it will release pre-trained robotics models and other software that will improve the robotic arm’s functions and multi-camera sensing capabilities.

© Thomson Reuters 2024

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