CES 2024: A Roundup of the Most Memorable Robots
This article details some of the most engaging robots showcased at CES 2024. Here’s a summary of each:
* Atlas (Boston Dynamics): The production-ready version of the humanoid robot Atlas was a major announcement.
* Ping Pong Player (Sharpa): A full-bodied robot from Chinese firm Sharpa demonstrated dexterity by playing ping pong, though it was losing 5-9 to a human opponent. Sharpa’s main product is a robotic hand.
* Boxer (EngineAI): Humanoid robots from EngineAI, nicknamed “T800,” engaged in a mock boxing match. While they didn’t actually hit each othre,their unpredictable movements (including falling over) provided entertainment.
* Dancer (Unitree): Unitree, a Chinese robotics manufacturer, showcased dancing robots. The company has faced scrutiny regarding potential ties to the Chinese military and recently announced a humanoid bot capable of running up to 11 mph.
* Convenience Store Clerk (Galbot): Galbot’s robot simulated working in a convenience store, fulfilling orders from a menu app (retrieving Sour Patch Kids for the author).The robot is already deployed in some Chinese pharmacies.
* Housekeeper (Dyna Robotics): Dyna Robotics demonstrated a robotic arm system capable of efficiently folding laundry. They’ve partnered with businesses like Monster Laundry in Sacramento, California, and recently secured $120 million in Series A funding from investors including Nvidia, Amazon, LG, Salesforce, and Samsung.
* Butler (LG cloid): LG’s home robot,CLOid,was showcased,though the author’s full review (linked in the article) suggests it’s not notably fast.
the article highlights that while some robots are still in the exhibition phase, others are already being deployed in real-world settings, offering a glimpse into the future of robotics. Manny of the showcased robots originate from Chinese companies.