Our hands execute thousands of intricate tasks daily – could artificial intelligence assist robots in mimicking these exceptional human appendages?
Sarah de Lagarde did not need to be informed of this. In August 2022, she felt on top of the world after conquering Mount Kilimanjaro with her husband. However, just a month later, she found herself in a hospital bed with severe injuries.
Following a lengthy recovery, she was provided with a prosthetic arm by the UK's National Health Service. Dissatisfied with its limited hand movement capabilities that prioritized aesthetics over functionality, she expressed, "It doesn't really look like a real arm," adding that her children found it "creepy."
Struggling with a basic prosthetic arm lacking in functionality, her life changed when she was offered a battery-powered bionic arm utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to anticipate her movements based on muscle signals.
De Lagarde explained, "Every time I make a movement it learns," and as it progresses, "it starts predicting what my next move is."
From door handling to piano playing, our routine hand-based tasks involve a delicate fusion of motor skills and sensory feedback, essential for human-robot interaction.
Eric Jing Du, a professor at the University of Florida, distinguishes embodied AI as the ability for robots to "see" and "feel" their surroundings, enabling human-like actions.
As robots increasingly integrate into various sectors, the challenge lies in replicating human-like motor and adaptive responses required in tasks like manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.
While current robots struggle to adapt to new situations due to task-specific training, advancements suggest they could eventually acquire versatile skills without prior training, expanding their applications.
The creation of fruit-picking robots stemmed from innovative ideas like Duncan Robertson's vision to utilize machine learning in automating tasks that mirror human instinct in assessing fruit ripeness.
These robots, equipped with cameras and intricate arm maneuverability similar to a human arm, revolutionize precise fruit picking with unprecedented delicacy and efficiency.
The potential for robots to surpass human abilities is epitomized in advanced prosthetics like the myoelectric arm, enhancing natural movements and instinctual responses through AI-driven pattern recognition.
Though artificial intelligence continues to enhance robotic capabilities, it still lags behind the intricate design and adaptability of the human body. Challenges in hardware and software development need to be addressed to achieve human-like dexterity.
Safety and ethical considerations are paramount as robotics advance, ensuring physical safety and system reliability to prevent malfunctions and unintended actions.
Looking ahead, de Lagarde envisions a future where robotic enhancements benefit not only those with disabilities but also support the aging population in maintaining their quality of life.
Embracing embedded AI, de Lagarde exemplifies the potential for technology to revolutionize human-machine interaction, paving the way for a future where artificial augmentation enhances human capabilities.