A New Dimension to Human Interaction

Imagine a world where convenience is at the touch of a button, where robots seamlessly integrate into daily life, enhancing productivity and redefining our reality. From healthcare to hospitality, and manufacturing to maintenance, robots are revolutionising every sector, offering unprecedented efficiency and precision.

Yet, as these mechanical marvels become increasingly ubiquitous, questions arise: Will the essence of human interaction be lost? Are jobs at risk of being overshadowed by their robotic counterparts? To address these concerns, Dr Hiroshi Ishiguro, Professor, Department of Systems, University of Osaka delves into Japan's robotic prowess. Professor Ishiguro explains Japan's visionary approach that aims to create avatars that serve as extensions of ourselves, allowing for remote presence and interaction in unprecedented ways. By examining the profound implications of this technology, Professor Ishiguro offers insights into how Japan’s advancements can harmonise with human values, ensuring that the rise of robots enhances rather than diminishes the human experience.

“Thanks to the large language model, we could overcome the bottleneck issue in robotics. While we have been working on interactive conversational robots for over 20 years, the major difficulty was always the conversations. However, the large language model could solve those challenges completely. Now, we can use robots and conversational agents in real life. Especially in Japan, our culture is quite positive towards integrating robots into daily life. So, I truly believe that within ten years, we will be using many human-like robotic agents in our society.”

The Second Boom

of Humanoid Robotics

In recent years, the robotics industry has witnessed a remarkable resurgence, often referred to as the "second boom of humanoid robots." According to Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro, this new wave of advancements is driven by the integration of large language models with humanoid robots, a leap that promises to revolutionise the field.

This surge follows the first boom over two decades ago, marked by the development of groundbreaking robots like Honda's Asimo and Sony's QRIO. Today, companies like Boston Dynamics, OpenAI, and Tesla are pushing the envelope, creating robots that are increasingly human-like in their interactions and capabilities.

Professor Ishiguro notes: "We are in the second boom of the humanoid. OpenAI is building a human robot. Some other AI companies, right? Tesla is also developing the human-like robot because large language models are pretty good for humans."

With this integration, the future of robotics looks promising. "If we tightly couple robots and large language models, the robot is going to be like a human. As this technology continues to evolve, we can expect humanoid robots to become an integral part of daily life, especially in cultures like Japan's, which are open to robotic integration," Professor Ishiguro explains.

Techno-Human Revolution

In the ever-evolving landscape of robotics, Professor Ishiguro highlights a pivotal distinction between humans and animals: technology.

"Technology is an evolution for humans. Without it, we cannot be humans," Ishiguro asserts. This profound synergy between humanity and technology is driving the second boom in humanoid robotics.

Professor Ishiguro elaborates: "We are living in different countries, but still, we can talk using smartphones. Vaccinations for Covid-19, and antibiotics – these are all technologies. We cannot separate humans and technologies."

This seamless integration extends to robotics, where AI and humanoids are becoming indispensable. "Definitely, we want to use more AIs, more robots. For example, the humanoid can guide people in amusement parks and stations, and we can consider so many applications," says Ishiguro. As Japan faces a declining population and immigration challenges, robots offer a solution. Ishiguro notes: "Our population is going down to half of the current population within 50 years. Therefore, we need to use robots more to have seamless interactions."

Professor Ishiguro envisions a future where robots enhance human life, increase productivity, and provide better job opportunities. "By using AI and robots, we can have a much better life," he concludes.

Dubai: The Future Hub of Robotic Innovation

Offering advice to students and researchers entering the field, Professor Ishiguro stresses the interdisciplinary nature of robotics. He believes that robotics will increasingly bridge the gap between engineering and social sciences, offering profound insights into cognitive functions and human behaviour.

• Business Technology Review