Gill Pratt and Marc Raibert, two esteemed figures in the field of robotics, have a long history of collaboration and innovation. Raibert founded the Leg Lab at Carnegie Mellon University in 1980, where he focused on robot locomotion research. Recognizing the limitations of existing legged robots, Raibert aimed to create machines that harnessed dynamics and energy, leading to the development of pogo stick robots.
Pratt, who was a student at MIT at the time, crossed paths with Raibert and joined the Leg Lab. Raibert eventually founded Boston Dynamics in 1992, and Pratt took over the Leg Lab in 1995. Pratt remained in academia for the next two decades, working at MIT and later Olin College. Meanwhile, Boston Dynamics designed the humanoid robot Atlas for DARPA, bringing Pratt and Raibert together once again.
Pratt transitioned to become the CEO of Toyota Research Institute (TRI) in 2016, while Raibert continued as CEO of Boston Dynamics until 2019. Both organizations were dedicated to pure research, with the support of major automakers Toyota and Hyundai. TRI, similar to the newly established Boston Dynamics AI Institute, focuses on exploring advancements in robotics beyond the automotive sector.
TRI’s research initiatives extend to supporting aging populations, seeking to develop technology that promotes independence among older people. The institute’s goal is to complement existing technology with high-level cognitive intelligence, providing robots with the ability to understand and execute diverse tasks, such as plugging in a USB device or picking up a tissue.
The Boston Dynamics AI Institute, although relatively new, is already prioritizing recruitment efforts. Recently, it announced that Kate Darling, from MIT, will lead research on the ethical and societal impact of robotics and AI. The institute aims to address immediate and long-term questions surrounding the integration of robots and AI into society.
Both TRI and the Boston Dynamics AI Institute exemplify the potential of sustained research efforts in advancing the field of robotics, free from the constraints of academia or corporate R&D.
Sources: TechCrunch
after navigation
2023-10-01 14:13:08
#Gill #Pratt #Marc #Raibert #Pioneers #Robot #Locomotion #Research
