Labor vs. social robots? Humanoids focusing on accessibility were featured at Silicon Valley summit
By Dustin Dorsey
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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (KGO) — Robots are getting more and more advanced with the ability to complete tasks, help out and make life easier on everyone – not just tech companies.
It’s no longer science fiction, it’s non-fiction and it’s on display here in the Bay Area during the second annual Humanoids Summit in Mountain View.
What started as an independent event last year, has grown to an international conference.
Founder Modar Alaoui says it’s bigger, better and with even more robots on display.
“The entire ecosystem is moving at a very fast and rapid rate – in the data space, in the tele-op space,” Alaoui said. “There’s new categories, also, in the home.”
It’s not just all robots for major tech companies – accessibility is key here.
One that fits that mold is the Psyonic Ability Hand, which offers functionality for robots and humans alike.
“The past five years have only been used in research labs,” Psyonic Sales Support Manager Noor Mostafa said. “And you couldn’t really get one for ourself or your loved one who might’ve lost their hand or was born without one. So, we’ve really turned that on its head by getting Medicare approval for an advanced, bionic hand like this.”
Making safe and regulated humanoids is a core mission of the summit and participants, including Seattle-based Mind Children.
This is highlighted by their humanoid, built to assist teachers, nurses and more.
“These applications in education, healthcare and hospitality where it’s not so utility-oriented, but rather the benefit is in the ability to converse with someone else,” Mind Children CEO Chris Kudla said.
We asked Cody, the Mind Children’s humanoid robot, what’s the difference between labor robots and social robots.
“Labor robots are built to do specific, physical tasks,” the robot responded. “Social robots, like me, focus on communicating, helping people learn and building relationships.”
With such success in its first two years, the Humanoids Summit aims to continue to grow to build a better Bay Area through robotics.
The Humanoid Summit here in Mountain View runs December 11 and 12.
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