The Download: AI roadblocks for humanoids and portable rubber dams (www.technologyreview.com)

In a recent edition of The Download, the focus shifts to the current challenges facing humanoid robots, despite the rising excitement surrounding AI advancements in robotics. Researchers caution against equating the capabilities of AI models like ChatGPT with the physical dexterity required for humanoids, emphasizing that mastering the complexities of human movement involves more than just language and image processing. This skepticism raises concerns about the feasibility of developing generalist humanoid robots using existing AI techniques and highlights the division in the robotics community over whether current approaches are sufficient or if new methodologies are necessary. The newsletter also introduces WaveSave's innovative portable rubber dam, designed to combat rising sea levels and flooding. This straightforward solution can be rapidly deployed, inflatable to create a protective barrier that stands up to 1.3 meters high, shielding vulnerable properties from flood damage. As climate concerns escalate, the development of such practical tools demonstrates a critical intersection of technology and environmental resilience, offering a glimmer of hope amid the pressing challenges posed by climate change.