Phoenix - This general purpose robot is raising the eyebrows

Is Phoenix on the way to becoming the world’s first human-like intelligence in general-purpose robot?

Sanctuary AI, the Canada based company says - it is on a mission to create the world's first human-like intelligence in general-purpose robots. In a latest demonstration, it showed the 21 degrees of freedom dexterous robotic hand manipulating a die, picking up and releasing a plastic item, as well as setting a wrench with flexibility similar to a human hand.

Sanctuary AI, the Canada based company says – it is on a mission to create the world’s first human-like intelligence in general-purpose robots. In a latest demonstration, it showed the 21 degrees of freedom dexterous robotic hand manipulating a die, picking up and releasing a plastic item, as well as setting a wrench with flexibility similar to a human hand. Read more to know the specifics of this robot and it’s company who are on a mission to change the world.

Robot Name: Phoenix

Company / Institute: Sanctuary AI

Location: Vancouver, Canada

Inception: 2023

Sensors: Depth and Vision Cameras, Tactile Sensors

Skills: autonomous navigation, learning, inspection, stacking & assembly, grasping

Industry: Automotive industry, healthcare, education, artificial intelligence, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing

Programming Languages: Carbon™

Commercial availability: Yes, inquiries can be checked through company’s official website here

Phoenix, developed by Sanctuary AI, is a 5’7″ humanoid robot weighing 155 lbs, engineered to perform a diverse array of work tasks with human-like intelligence and dexterity. Its advanced sensor suite, including industry-leading robotic hands with 21 degrees of freedom, enables fine manipulation and a sense of touch akin to that of a human. With a maximum payload of 55 lbs and a top speed of 3 miles per hour, Phoenix is adept at integrating into various work environments to assist with tasks that are traditionally performed by humans.

Sanctuary AI’s mission with Phoenix is to address labor shortages by providing a general purpose robotic solution capable of performing numerous tasks across different industries. The robot’s design emphasizes safety, efficiency, and sustainability, making it a valuable asset for organizations looking to enhance their operational capabilities without the need for significant changes to existing workflows.

Phoenix’s learning story is inspirational starting from the task where it struggled to open the ziploc two years ago to removing items from a case 1 year ago and now being able to manipulate die or setting a wrench as comfortably as a human does. Sanctuary AI’s official youtube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@sanctuaryai) demonstrates 59 different tasks being conducted by Phoenix in a span of 1 year.

It included cleaning, serving food, labeling, scanning products, picking fruits & vegetables from trees, kitchen stuff, healthcare, logistics, soldering, stacking, sorting, lifting, grasping, inspecting lab samples, etc. thus proving it to be considered as a general purpose robot.

Featured image credits : Sanctuary AI (Official website)

“The information in this blog is sourced from the official website of Sanctuary AI and other publicly available resources online.”

Technology:

Phoenix operates using Carbon™, Sanctuary AI’s proprietary AI control system that combines symbolic and logical reasoning with modern large language models. This integration allows Phoenix to interpret natural language commands and execute tasks in real-world settings, exhibiting explainable and auditable reasoning, task planning, and motion control. Carbon™ utilizes deep learning and reinforcement learning, supported by photo-realistic and physics-realistic world simulations for comprehensive robot training.

Programming Languages:

While the specific programming languages used in Carbon™ are proprietary, the system leverages a combination of AI technologies to enable Phoenix’s cognitive functions. This includes the integration of large language models for general knowledge, domain-specific integrations, and extensions that facilitate Phoenix’s ability to understand and act upon complex instructions in dynamic environments.

Current use:

Phoenix has been deployed in various commercial settings, including retail environments where it has successfully completed tasks such as stocking shelves and assisting customers. Its versatility makes it suitable for deployment across multiple industries facing labor shortages.

Specifications :