First Impressions of a Humanoid Robot
This article details an initial encounter with a humanoid robot, specifically the G1 model from a robotics company. The experience included close interaction and even controlling the robot, which provided surprising insights into the current state of humanoid robot development. The focus is on observing human robot products from a personal perspective.
The G1 Robot: Size, Cost, and Aesthetics
Size and Comparison to H1
The J1 robot stands at 1.3 meters, approximately the height of Sun Wukong, making it smaller than the author (1.82 meters). This smaller size contributes to a lower cost of 99,000, compared to its larger counterpart, the H1. While the J1 appears almost like a toy due to its stature, this compact form factor is a key element in making it more affordable.
Dynamics and Aesthetics
The G1 is quieter and more dynamic than the H1. The H1, being larger and painted black, might appear intimidating, resembling a security guard. In contrast, the J1 offers a more approachable and harmonious feel, potentially increasing its appeal in the consumer market.
Key Focus Points
The article focuses on three key aspects of the J1 robot: its purchase availability, current capabilities, and training methods.
Purchase Availability
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Can ordinary users purchase the J1? The answer is yes, as the J1 is in mass production with stable delivery.
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Who are the current customers? Most current customers are research institutions and enterprise procurement projects. Pure personal consumer purchases are currently rare, though individual sales are possible.
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What about the price? The price of 99,000 is not a joke.
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Upgradeable? The J1 supports over-the-air (OTA) upgrades, allowing users to update and add new skills as they are developed, ensuring the robot continues to evolve.
Why Aren't More Individuals Buying It?
Despite the relatively affordable price point (compared to other robotic devices), the J1 requires programming knowledge and development skills to fully utilize its potential. The company offers API access for customization. This high technical threshold deters many ordinary consumers. Custom pre-installed capabilities may require project-based development and customization services.
Current Capabilities
The J1 demonstrates impressive dexterity and is capable of performing a range of basic movements, including squatting, lying down and standing up. According to the official demo, its depth is already very flexible. These abilities are suitable for basic tasks and demonstrations, such as those in a bar or exhibition setting. The design is the same for both exhibition and laboratory robots. This indicates the hardware design is relatively mature. The next step is to train the robot to master more complex skills for consumer-level applications.
Training Methods
Yushu uses an end-to-end method for training its humanoid robots.
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Real-world capture: Utilizes real-world data.
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Simulation training environment: Employs simulations to train the robot.
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Specific scene tasks: The robot can potentially complete specific scene tasks after training, such as opening doors or delivering packages.
The current challenge is that these tasks require user training and do not offer immediate utility. The extensive computing power and data required for training prevent the robot from being immediately useful to the average consumer. This contrasts with a car, which can be driven immediately upon purchase, generating data through user interaction. Robots require developers to create the initial functionality.
Conclusion: AI is the Key
The primary bottleneck in humanoid robot development is now AI, not hardware. The hardware is becoming increasingly mature, but the robot's "brain" (software) needs significant improvement. The author expresses anticipation for a "1.0 version" of the robot, which would receive regular OTA updates, similar to the iterative improvements seen in self-driving cars. This 1.0 version may be several years away. The author urges that we do not underestimate AI development, which could take anywhere from three to ten years, or possibly faster.
Battery Considerations
The J1's battery compartment is accessible for charging, offering a battery life of 2-3 hours. The larger H1 utilizes two batteries. While current lithium-ion batteries can power humanoid robots, improvements are needed. The size and weight of Li batteries limit robot size reduction and integration of internal tools. The energy density limits the action of the robot. Improving battery technology, specifically addressing size and weight, is crucial for advancing humanoid robots. Battery life itself can be improved with multiple swappable batteries.
Focus on Humanoid Robots
While the company also develops machine dogs and cows, the author's primary interest lies in the progress of humanoid robots. A future video will provide a more detailed analysis of this technology.
Final Thoughts
The author finds the experience of interacting with the J1 "weird" and "alien," yet also notes its potential as a remote-controlled "toy." The author successfully turned the robot around using the controller, noting the fun capability, and also expressed caution for the robot.
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