Voracious demand for robotics training data is transforming gig work (www.businessinsider.com)

Instawork has announced the launch of its Instawork Robotics Lab and a new robotics certification program aimed at addressing the escalating demand for real-world robotics training data. This pivot from a gig-worker platform, traditionally focused on supplying hourly labor to various industries, signals a transformative shift in how human labor intersects with robotic technology. By employing gig workers, referred to as "Pros," to generate detailed data through tasks ranging from moving robots to operating them remotely, Instawork aims to fill the significant gap in robotic training data—a challenge likened to the "100,000-year problem" in robotics. The company has devised the Instacore system, a wearable camera suite that tracks human movement and interactions in complex environments. This data-gathering initiative can accelerate the training of robotic models, crucial for their effective deployment in various real-world settings. With projections of the humanoid robot market possibly reaching $38 billion by 2035, Instawork’s approach not only serves the robotics industry but also redefines gig work by offering new roles that leverage human expertise in supporting and training robots. CEO Sumir Meghani envisions a future where humans and machines work in tandem, with skilled labor playing an essential role in the evolving landscape of robotics.