Unexplored humanoid challenged by Tesla. Will it surpass Honda?
The robot "Optimus" released by Tesla (Reprinted from the AI Day video released by Tesla on YouTube)
Bipedal humanoid (humanoid) robots, for which Japan once led research, are once again in the spotlight. The igniter is Tesla. A prototype was unveiled in September 2022, just one year after announcing the development, and it is expected that it will be put into practical use in three to five years. With the entry of Tesla, a game changer that completely changed the common sense of the automobile industry, the future in which humanoid robots become “workers” has become a reality.
"It's a very capable robot. (If it spreads) economic constraints will disappear, and a prosperous future without poverty will come." Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, unveiled the prototype of the humanoid robot "Optimus" at an event at the end of September.
Appearing in a flashy production with up-tempo music, the prototype slowly approached the audience and waved. The machine was still bare on the upper body, but the video released at the same time showed the image of future use.
Water the plants with a watering can in the office, carry the cardboard and place it on the desk. At the factory, the metal bars are removed from the box and transferred to another box. Tesla envisions Optimus replacing the work that humans have done. Underlying Mr. Musk's sense of crisis is that "the greatest risk to human civilization is the rapidly declining birth rate."
Leveraging robot development, automated driving, and EV technology accumulation
Mr. Fumio Kanehiro of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology commented on the speed with which the prototype was released one year after the announcement of development, saying, "It is commendable that it was developed to that level in a short period of time." It seems that technology accumulation such as automatic driving of electric vehicles (EV) is useful.
From the released video captured from the line of sight of the prototype, we can see that the type of object is being recognized with high accuracy. Tesla says he has "retrained" artificial intelligence (AI) for self-driving cars. With the advent of deep learning technology, the image recognition performance of AI has improved to the extent that it surpasses that of humans, and it is becoming possible to accurately grasp the surrounding environment.
The motors and storage batteries used for the actuators in the power section are technologies common to EVs. Commercially available products were also used for the prototype, but these technologies are also designed in-house. The energy density related to the capacity of lithium-ion batteries has increased several times over the past decade. Tesla says Optimus will be equipped with a battery with a capacity of 2.3 kilowatt-hours, allowing it to run for a day on a single charge.
Technologies closely related to EVs and smartphones, including sensors, are becoming more compact, have higher performance, and lower costs. With a view to future mass production, Musk said, "In the end, millions will be made, and the cost will be much lower than a car. Probably less than $20,000." He said he expects to start shipping in five years.
History of humanoid robots led by Japan
Tesla's speed development builds on the achievements of its predecessors. Since Waseda University developed "WABOT-1" in 1973, Japan has taken the lead in humanoid robot research. Honda, which gave birth to ASIMO, is a pioneer in the highly difficult bipedal walking technology, and it is believed that Tesla is also incorporating its knowledge in control technology.
Professor Shigeki Sugano of Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering pointed out that Tesla's technological level is currently far behind even that of Asimo. Mr. Musk has been successful with EVs and rockets, but it is unknown whether he can bring about innovation with humanoid robots.
In addition to Tesla, Boston Dynamics, a U.S. start-up company, is attracting attention for its development of humanoid robots. In 2017, he released “Atlas,” which moves like a gymnast and moves with agility. It is said that a hydraulic actuator was used to create a strong force, and the high level of technology is highly evaluated around the world.
In Japan, Kawasaki Heavy Industries pukes. In 2015, the company established a department specializing in humanoid robots in order to take advantage of its half-century of experience in industrial robots for new developments. Two types will be developed: "RHP Kaleido," which is responsible for work in dangerous environments, and "RHP Friends," which works closely with people at nursing care sites.
Mr. Masayuki Kabe, the person in charge of development, said, "Japan is the country that gave birth to humanoid robots. It will be a solution to the problems faced by a society with a declining population." Instead of being a simple “working machine,” we are exploring ways to utilize it in collaboration with people. “We want to build a system that can provide the most user-friendly humanoid robots that meet customer needs,” he says.
The aging population and declining working population are major motivators for Japan to take up the challenge of developing robots. AIST, which also collaborates with Kawasaki, has developed the "HRP-5P", which is intended for use at construction sites and disaster sites. Emphasis will be placed on practical skills, such as the ability to carry gypsum boards and screw them to walls.
There are still problems to be solved in the realization of humanoid robots. Bipedal walking is easy to climb over steps and easily adapts to human living environments, but on the other hand, it is difficult to control, and there is a risk of falling.
Professor Sugano of Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering is developing a humanoid robot that moves on wheels, envisioning use in barrier-free hospitals and nursing care settings. Responsible for assistance with changing wheelchairs, loading and unloading luggage, and cleaning tables. He says, "Advancement of AI has made it possible to perform complex tasks. It will be important to integrate digital technology and manufacturing."
