Researchers Give Kinematic Self-Awareness to Robots

Machines today do exactly what they’re programmed to do. Even AI relies on predictive algorithms based on vast training data. In theory, we need to mirror ourselves once again to reach the highs of actual artificial consciousness. Parents can follow a small child’s development of self-awareness by tracking how they react to a mirror. Children may experience initial confusion about what they see, but once they understand what a mirror does, they can use it to their advantage. Similarly, researchers at Columbia Engineering just developed a robot that attempts this kinematic self-awareness as it observes its movements to learn.

Baby steps

The latest news on kinematic self-awareness is just the pinnacle of two decades of research. As early as 2006, robots from the same team could already create stick figures of themselves. Today, robots can maintain a full kinematic recreation with only one camera, akin to looking at a mirror.

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Researchers imagine a future where robots can fix their problems instead of just stopping when something outside of what’s programmed happens. For instance, cleaner robots that bend their arms to avoid bumping into furniture or factory machinery can fix themselves back into position if they are out of alignment.

How it works

It all comes down to a single 2D camera and AI processing. While previous attempts focused on a vast number of cameras and sensors. A single video feed is passed down to neural networks that process the images into an internal 3D kinematic body. After that, the robot, or the union of these elements, knows exactly how it and its movements look and can adapt to problems. No preset code to be followed and no exorbitant number of contingency plans the programmers have to think about. The robots could “sense” the mistakes and avoid them.

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It’s still early to tell, but the potential impact could vastly affect every industry and help humanity. Kinematic self-awareness might not be consciousness, but it’s another step towards autonomy in working. Like children growing past their confused phase with mirrors, kinematic self-awareness can mark a new stage for robots that requires less maintenance and breakdowns while increasing their quality and, perhaps, intelligence.

YouTube: Columbia Engineering | Teaching Robots to Build Simulations of Themselves

Photo credit: The featured image is symbolic and has been taken by Pavel Danilyuk.
Source: Columbia Engineering news report