First look: This weird wearable device turns human workers into robot data collectors (www.businessinsider.com)

Instawork has launched Instacore, a wearable camera system aimed at transforming gig workers into data collectors for training AI and robotics systems. The technology features five cameras mounted on the head, chest, and wrists, along with a compute backpack designed for an eight-hour shift. This new product enables Instawork's gig workers, known as Pros, to capture real-world tasks—from food preparation to stocking shelves—providing valuable footage for AI labs and robotics companies looking to develop machines that can operate in complex environments. The significance of Instacore lies in its potential to generate one of the largest and most diverse datasets for robotics, a critical resource as the industry shifts from virtual to physical applications of AI. With 10 million Pros on its platform, Instawork's initiative taps into a wide array of job environments, addressing a growing need for real-world data to refine robotic task execution. While the company aims to balance comfort and utility in its design—iterating based on user feedback—Instawork’s endeavors reflect a broader industry trend toward integrating gig work with AI training, predicting new roles in the workforce for managing and utilizing AI technologies effectively.