The more a robot resembles a human, the more people trust it. This could be really bad.
That’s according to a new study that shows people trust human-like robots more, even when they are unreliable.
Researchers from the University of California, Merced, and Penn State tested 558 people through simulated decision-making tasks. The study used drone simulations where robots advised participants on whether to attack targets.
Fifty-eight percent of people changed their choices about who to attack when a robot suggested it, even if the robot was guessing. The participants said they trusted the robots more if they looked and acted like humans. Researchers suggest people may overtrust robots, posing risks in emergencies or military missions.
- Read the full stody: Overtrust in AI Recommendations About Whether or Not to Kill: Evidence from Two Human-Robot Interaction Studies
PNDBotics’ Adam
What’s so special about Adam’s pelvis? Its maker says it enables unprecedented human-like motion control capability.
China-based PNDBotics says the humanoid robot is built with cost-effective materials and modular components so its production can be scaled. It’s also easier to fix than older types of robots that use complex hydraulic systems.
The company says Adam is the first high-bionic robot, meaning it closely imitates the biological structure and movements of a real human. PNDBotics says the design enables Adam to walk, run, and perform complex movements with smooth, human-like agility.
Adam’s pelvis is designed to move like a person’s using joints and actuators that mimic natural motion. This includes heel-to-toe walking and running. Researchers detailed their findings developing Adam in a recent paper, “Whole Body Humanoid Robot Locomotion with Human Reference.”
The humanoid uses reinforcement learning to mimic human behavior, improving over time. In it, they call the special learning method adversarial motion priors. It combines two types of learning by copying human movement and trial and error.
By using data about how humans walk and move, Adam can learn to move more like a human. Tests showed that the 1.6-meter Adam can walk and run over difficult surfaces. It stays balanced even when pushed or bumped.
It has 25 quasi-direct drive actuators that provide force control and high sensitivity. The motor system combines the benefits of direct drive and geared motors. It’s equipped with a real-time communication network, a motion control computer with a 12th generation i7 processor, and a programmable switch with network management capabilities.
In an update from earlier this year, PNDBotics said the team spent 317 hours building the humanoid.
Crimefighting Robots in Atlanta
3:06 A new crime-detecting robot is now patrolling streets in Old Fourth Ward. It’s one of two Knightscope AI robots deployed at Wingate City Lights apartments to address high crime rates.
The Knightscope K5 patrols the area using cameras, thermal sensors, facial and plate recognition, and wireless signal detection to monitor surroundings. If it detects a threat, the K5 alerts authorities and warns people nearby. Its partner, the K1, is a stationary robot that monitors specific locations like entrances.
Knightscope plans to expand its technology further into Greater Atlanta and beyond. Earlier this year, New York City ended its trial with the K5 after just four months due to difficulties in crowded areas and privacy concerns.
During Knightscope’s latest stakeholder meeting, co-founder and CEO William Santana Li said the company is focused on improving its robots.
The company has struggled since going public and there is a potential for a $40 billion recurring revenue opportunity once everything’s in place. The CEO said he believes things are improving, but Wall Street is skeptical.
Robots for public safety and security applications are increasingly common.
In this new footage from Fox 11 Los Angeles, a robot dog that appears to be Boston Dynamics’ Spot assists during a SWAT standoff.
in Taylor, Michigan. RADDOG by Robotic Assistance Devices is used as a de-escalation and officer safety tool for situations requiring two-way communication with a subject. According to the Detroit News, the robot is leased for $355,000 per year.
California-based Cobalt Robotics makes robots that patrol offices, warehouses, and corporate campuses. The robots allow for real-time interaction between a human security guard and a person in need via a video screen.
SMP Robotics, also based in California, specializes in outdoor surveillance and security. The company’s robots can traverse rough terrains like sand, snow, and mud. They’re equipped with advanced sensors for detecting gas leaks and temperature anomalies.
In Singapore, OTSA security robots combine 360° camera systems with real-time data processing for enhanced situational awareness.
Living Robot Powered by Fungi
Researchers at Cornell created a biohybrid robot that uses signals from fungi to move and respond to its surroundings. They combine fungal mycelia, which are tiny thread-like parts of mushrooms, with mechanical hardware.
The living tissue sends electrical signals that control the robot like an animal brain controls movement. The system uses electronics to read fungi signals and convert them into robot commands.
Two robots, one soft and spider-like, another with wheels, move using fungal signals, blending life with machines.
These biohybrid robots could monitor soil health or detect pollution, sensing environmental cues where regular sensors might fail. Fungi survive harsh conditions and detect changes, making them ideal for robots in unpredictable environments.
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