#08 Robots on the Rise: From Pancake-Flipping to Underwater Rescues!

Another week, another wave of news from the world of humanoid robots!

And let’s be honest—this is just the beginning. The next few years are going to be jam-packed with groundbreaking advancements, so buckle up and get ready for the ride. It’s going to be wild!

TL;DR (because we all need a quick laugh and recap):

• Boston Dynamics + Toyota: Robots flipping pancakes like pros. AI-powered Atlas is leveling up faster than you can say "breakfast in bed!"

• Tesla’s Optimus: It's alive! Fully autonomous, serving snacks, and even walking itself to the charger when it’s tired. Adorable, right?

• Unitree G1: Leaping over pallets like a parkour champ! But hey, Unitree, we’re still waiting on those juicy details...

• Polish “Honey Badger”: Submerged, waterproof, and rescuing people from floods. This robodog badger means business!

Robots That Flip Pancakes? Boston Dynamics Teams Up with Toyota to Revolutionize AI-Powered Robotics

Boston Dynamics and Toyota Research Institute (TRI) are joining forces to integrate cutting-edge AI into the humanoid robot Atlas, bringing us closer to robots that can handle complex tasks autonomously. TRI’s expertise in large behavior models (LBM)—AI systems similar to ChatGPT’s large language models—will allow Atlas to learn tasks with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

Last year, TRI showcased robots achieving a 90% success rate in household tasks, such as flipping pancakes, after just one night of training. Thanks to TRI’s advanced AI, robots no longer need millions of examples to learn new skills—just a few dozen are enough. This means faster learning times and less wear on machines.

Boston Dynamics, famous for its Spot robot, has developed impressive hardware, and now, the collaboration with TRI could accelerate the development of general-purpose humanoid robots. Robert Playter, CEO of Boston Dynamics, is excited about the partnership’s potential to overcome the current challenges in automating complex tasks.

The latest version of Atlas, introduced in April, is an electric-powered model that showcases incredible strength and agility—think doing push-ups! While there’s still more to achieve, the combined expertise of these two robotics powerhouses brings us closer to a future where robots can assist in everything from household chores to industrial operations.

Tesla’s Optimus Can Actually Walk on Its Own!

The buzz around We, Robot still hasn’t cooled down—the event I’ve covered in the last two newsletters.

But here’s the kicker: Just a few days after the world saw what Optimus can do while being teleoperated (dancing on stage and serving drinks), Tesla dropped a new video. This time, they’re showing off its real skills.

Optimus is now roaming Tesla’s factory fully autonomously. That’s right—no human needed! It’s completing tasks like transporting parts and even responding to human commands to serve snacks.

Could this be a PR move to bounce back after We, Robot? Who knows… but I have a hunch.

Regardless, the progress in humanoid robotics is seriously impressive. Optimus scans its surroundings with 2D cameras and sends data to other robots so they don’t have to repeat the same tasks. Basically, they’re working together—like a robotic hive mind.

Oh, and here’s a fun fact: when Optimus gets tired, it walks itself to the charger. Talk about independence! No need for anyone to tuck it into bed.

Just a friendly reminder—keep your excitement in moderation!

At the next Olympics, will China field a new competitor?

It looks like we’re getting closer to that reality! Unitree, one of the leading suppliers of humanoid robots, has just dropped a video showcasing their latest model, the Unitree G1. This impressive bot is seen leaping between stacks of pallets with 1.4 meters of air between them! That jump? It’s officially set the world record for the longest jump by a robot.

But beyond the jaw-dropping record, this highlights the massive race between tech companies to create robots that not only break records but also come closer to being truly human-like in their movements and capabilities.

That said... let’s keep a bit of healthy skepticism. While it's exciting, I’m still waiting on some solid details. So, Unitree team, if you're reading this—come on, we need more specifics!

Underwater Honey Badger: Polish Robotics Shaping the Future of Flood Rescue!

Let’s celebrate some amazing work from the Polish scene!

Mab Robotics has unveiled a new use for their robodog—or rather, robobadger —the quadruped robot, Honey Badger, which can now operate fully submerged underwater.

In the attached video, it performs like a pro, joyfully frolicking on the bottom of a pool. But in real-world situations, this impressive robot tackles the tough terrain of flooded cities, apartments, rivers, and lakes. It’s designed for rescue missions, search operations, and helping people affected by floods and natural disasters—a critical issue as climate challenges increase globally.

Jakub Bartoszek, co-founder of Mab Robotics, shared his thoughts on LinkedIn:

"Exploring the challenging environments beneath the surface with robotics has been a significant technical milestone for MAB Robotics. Developing locomotion systems capable of navigating the challenges of underwater terrain is a fascinating journey, and I’m excited about the potential impact this work could have on inspection and maintenance services in flooded areas."

Nothing to add, except to say I totally agree!

Bravo, Mab Robotics!

That’s it for this week’s summary!

If you’re interested, feel free to check out the previous episodes for more updates and insights.

Have an amazing week ahead!

Best,

Jacek