The progress of generative AI technology is remarkable!
We have now entered an era where AI is furthering AI, and AI is no longer just a tool; it is also beginning to act on its own as pseudo-humans.
I once directly shared my thoughts (concerns about the progress of AI technology) with Sam Altman, a resident of San Francisco, California, via Facebook Messenger.
My concerns about the progress of AI technology are similar to those felt during the development of the atomic bomb.
I worry about how AI technology might be used in a way that weakens human capabilities and leads to the destruction of humanity.
However, beyond these concerns, it is also true that AI technology is advancing at an incredible pace every day and is proving to be extremely useful.
Just recently, Unitree announced the sale of the Humanoid Robot G1 (from Unitree) at the astonishingly low price of US$5,900, or less than 1 million yen in Japanese yen!
Whatever its functionality, it is a very exciting price.
Humanoid robots have only just begun mass production and been released to the public, and while they are growing every day, their uses are still far from being fully realized, leaving aside factory applications and the wide variety of everyday life in human society.
Therefore, here I'll first focus on four-legged dog-type robots, considering and comparing dog robots that are supportive and helpful to humans, and introduce the dog robots I recommend. (Note: The meaning of "supportive" here does not mean an overly clingy, obsequious approach; rather, it means a dignified approach.)
Four-legged dog-type robots are not restricted by the Road Vehicle Traffic Act, can move on sidewalks,
and, since their contact surface area is prone to have a large frictional area due to their quadrupedal walking, they are also advantageous for pulling and moving relatively heavy loads.
Next, I'll focus on humanoid robots,
considering and comparing them from the perspective of everyday life, as they are important for an aging society and can support and assist people.
The ideas of Wu Changzheng, CEO of MagicLab (also known as Magic Atom Robotics Technology),
reflect his belief that robotics should enhance human capabilities, not replace them, which is similar to my own.
I'll conclude by presenting my own ideas.
Long before we entered the current era of AI, more than 30 years ago, when I visited one Europe Research Institute ( in British), I publicly presented my vision of a "world of collaboration between PCs and humans."
I'd like to show you a diagram of this idea, drawn at least six years ago.
The diagram depicts human capabilities being enhanced through collaboration with PCs, as a tool for creativity. The image is that good ideas are born when the rhythm of human imagination and PC interaction is in perfect harmony.
We are already in an age where interfaces can exist inside the human body (for example, detecting brain waves).
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0. Robots have appeared that can communicate with and help people