Google’s DeepMind team recently introduced Open X-Embodiment, a groundbreaking database of robotics functionality developed in partnership with 33 research institutes. The creators compare this system to the renowned ImageNet database, which has revolutionized computer vision research. The aim of Open X-Embodiment is to train a generalist model capable of controlling diverse robots, following various instructions, reasoning about complex tasks, and generalizing effectively. Though the database currently contains over 500 skills and 150,000 tasks, DeepMind is just getting started.
To harness the power of Open X-Embodiment, DeepMind trained its RT-1-X model using the data and successfully employed it to train other robots in different labs. The results were impressive, boasting a 50% success rate, surpassing the in-house methods used by these teams. This achievement unveils an exciting era in robotic learning. Multiple teams are tackling the problem from different angles, continuously improving their efficacy.
While the reign of bespoke robots continues, a future filled with general-purpose robots is on the horizon. Simulation, along with generative AI, will play crucial roles in achieving this vision. However, some companies may be prioritizing hardware development for general tasks too early. With time, the convergence of hardware and advanced AI may yield the desired results.
Vincent Vanhoucke, the head of robotics at Google DeepMind, provides further insights into Google’s robotic ambitions. Though new to his role, Vanhoucke’s association with the company spans over 16 years, during which he served as a distinguished scientist for Google AI Robotics. He emphasizes that the robotics research at Google DeepMind originated from their belief in the rapid progress of perception technology and the potential consequences it holds for robotics. The team at Google DeepMind focuses on refining intelligence, perception, understanding, and control within the context of general AI.
The collaboration between Everyday Robots and DeepMind has been ongoing for seven years, with a shared understanding that general AI is central to robotics. The teams joined forces on a skunkworks project, exploring machine learning and perception to solve the problem of generalized grasping. This pivotal moment ushered in a new era of using AI and machine learning to control robotic tasks.
In conclusion, Open X-Embodiment and DeepMind’s commitment to advancing general AI and perception represent significant steps forward in the field of robotics. The fusion of diverse skills, continuous experimentation, and collaboration across research institutes and robotics teams will lead us to a future where intelligent robots seamlessly navigate our everyday lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Open X-Embodiment?
Open X-Embodiment is a database of robotics functionality created by Google’s DeepMind team in collaboration with 33 research institutes. It aims to train a generalist model that can control various types of robots, follow diverse instructions, perform complex reasoning, and generalize effectively.
What is the significance of Open X-Embodiment?
Open X-Embodiment has the potential to revolutionize robotics, similar to how ImageNet transformed computer vision research. By providing a vast dataset of robot demonstrations, it paves the way for the development of general-purpose robots.
What are the current capabilities of Open X-Embodiment?
At the time of its announcement, Open X-Embodiment already contained over 500 skills and 150,000 tasks gathered from 22 robot embodiments. These numbers are a promising start for further advancements in the field.
How successful has the implementation of Open X-Embodiment been?
DeepMind trained its RT-1-X model using Open X-Embodiment and achieved a remarkable 50% success rate when training robots in other labs. This surpassed the performance of in-house methods used by those teams.
What is the future of robotics according to Google’s DeepMind team?
DeepMind believes that the future lies in the convergence of general AI and robotics. They envision a world where general-purpose robots become a reality, and intelligence, perception, understanding, and control are seamlessly integrated.