In a concerted effort to keep the robotics community abreast of the latest developments, our newsletter Actuator embarked on an ambitious journey last month. Despite taking an extended break, we reached out to luminaries from institutions such as CMU, UC Berkeley, Meta, Nvidia, Boston Dynamics, and the Toyota Research Institute. The aim was to extract valuable insights on pivotal topics like generative AI, humanoid robotics, and the trajectory of home robots. The result is a trove of information, encapsulating the diverse perspectives of these industry giants.Matthew Johnson-Roberson from CMU highlights the transformative potential of generative AI, emphasizing its role in enhancing robot capabilities.

Meanwhile, Ken Goldberg of UC Berkeley sees 2023 as the year when generative AI reshapes robotics, enabling natural language communication between robots and humans. Deepu Talla from Nvidia underlines the productivity gains in various industries through generative AI, particularly in simulation, design, and multimodal AI.Ken Goldberg, echoing skepticism about humanoids, acknowledges the recent advancements in legged robots from companies like Boston Dynamics, Agility, and Unitree. Deepu Talla emphasizes the complexities of designing autonomous humanoids and the necessity for multimodal AI. The humanoid form, a challenge in engineering, presents potential versatility, but Matthew Johnson-Roberson predicts other platforms may succeed before it.

The spotlight shifts to the potential applications of robotics beyond manufacturing, with Max Bajracharya from TRI citing opportunities in agriculture. Matthew Johnson-Roberson sees agriculture, transportation, and last-mile delivery as ripe for robotic solutions, while Aaron Saunders from Boston Dynamics foresees adoption in construction and healthcare as the next wave in robotics.The experts offer a tempered view on the timeline for true general-purpose robots. Dhruv Batra from Meta remains skeptical of claims predicting AGI around the corner, echoing the sentiment shared by others. Matthew Johnson-Roberson underscores the need for breakthroughs across multiple fields, indicating a step-by-step evolution towards general-purpose robotics.

The prospect of home robots beyond vacuums takes center stage, with insights from industry leaders. Matthew Johnson-Roberson envisions a gradual evolution towards general-purpose home robots. Deepu Talla predicts useful personal assistants and outdoor-focused robots, highlighting the challenge of diverse home environments. Ken Goldberg predicts affordable home robots focused on decluttering within the next decade.The experts shed light on underreported trends, with Russ Tedrake discussing the significance of avoiding singularities in robot motions. Dhruv Batra emphasizes the progress in testing navigation robots in real homes, while Deepu Talla underscores the need for a platform approach in robotics startups. Matthew Johnson-Roberson urges recognition of incremental successes in sectors like agriculture and healthcare that often go unnoticed amid more futuristic narratives.