Lifeboat Foundation

Last week, Microsoft researchers announced an experimental framework to control robots and drones using the language abilities of ChatGPT, a popular AI language model created by OpenAI. Using natural language commands, ChatGPT can write special code that controls robot movements. A human then views the results and adjusts as necessary until the task gets completed successfully.

In a demonstration video, Microsoft shows robots—apparently controlled by code written by ChatGPT while following human instructions—using a robot arm to arrange blocks into a Microsoft logo, flying a drone to inspect the contents of a shelf, or finding objects using a robot with vision capabilities.

Find a counter-intuitive way to strike the enemy while increasing the chance of survival for the crew.

Researchers at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics turned to artificial intelligence (AI) to simulate aerial dogfights using hypersonic aircraft. In the simulation, the aircraft flew at speeds between Mach 5 to Mach 11 or up to 11 times the speed of sound, the South China Morning Post.

The advent of drones or autonomous vehicles has already changed the nature of warfare today. During the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russia has successfully deployed cheaply assembled drone swarms to attack critical infrastructure.

Continue reading “Researchers in China turn to AI for help in hypersonic dog fight simulation” »

The drones are to be tasked with expeditionary roles, including special operations, to “open the opportunity for real-time autonomous response by the robot.”

The United States Air Force has reportedly developed AI-powered facial recognition techechnolgy (FTR) for autonomous drones.

The drones will be used by special operations personnel for missions overseas and for gathering intelligence and other operations, according to a contract between the Department of Defense (DoD) and Seattle-based company RealNetworks.

The language model could command robot arms, drones, and home assistant robots.

Imagine a scenario in which you can directly communicate with robots, enabling them to complete various tasks for you. To achieve this, Microsoft has outlined its plans to partner with OpenAI to develop ChatGPT’s capabilities to control robots. The software giant used the chatbot and “controlled multiple platforms such as robot arms, drones, and home assistant robots intuitively with language,” the company wrote in a blog post.

Continue reading “Microsoft trains ChatGPT to control robots” »

Russia and Ukraine have deployed an army of drones in their conflict. Mechanized warfare is about to dramatically change in the 21st century.

The Russia-Ukraine war is using military drones not just to gather intelligence, but also to kill. Are autonomous robot armies to follow?

ChatGPT is best known as an AI program capable of writing essays and answering questions, but now Microsoft is using the chatbot to control robots.

On Monday, the company’s researchers published (Opens in a new window) a paper on how ChatGPT can streamline the process of programming software commands to control various robots, such as mechanical arms and drones.

Continue reading “Microsoft Researchers Are Using ChatGPT to Control Robots, Drones” »

A remarkable group of drone prototypes from a team at the University of Tokyo takes multirotor complexity to the next level. These hypnotic flying robots are able to change their structural shape mid-air, creating some unprecedented capabilities.

Autonomous aircraft have long been thought of as having the most potential, though not in the realm of glitzy people-carrying drones so much as the more sedate world of cargo. It’s here where the economic savings could be most significant. Large, long-range drones built specifically for cargo have the potential to be faster, cheaper and produce fewer CO₂ emissions than conventional aircraft, enabling same-day shipping over very long distances. In fact, the “flying delivering van” is considered the holy grail by many cargo operators.

In this space there are a number of companies operating, and these include: ElroyAir (California, raised $56 million), hybrid electric, VTOL, so so therefore short range; Natilus (California, funding undisclosed) uses a blended wing body, and is a large, longer-term project entailing probably quite high costs in certification and production; and Beta (Vermont, $886 million raised), which is an electric VTOL.

Into this space, out of Bulgaria (but HQ’d in London), comes Dronamics. The startup has already attained a license to operate in Europe, and plans to run a “cargo drone airline” using drones built specifically for the purpose. Dronamics claims its flagship “Black Swan” model will be able to carry 350 kg (770 lb) at a distance of up to 2,500 km (1,550 miles) faster, cheaper and with less emissions than currently available options.

Resist the temptation to take credit for patchwork combinations of other people’s work. If you’re great, prove it by articulating unique ideas in unique ways. Never before has there been a better opportunity for ambitious thinkers to achieve greatness. When others are creating and consuming synthetically generated content like flying drones in a perpetual hover state, there’s an opportunity for non-drones to fly higher, farther and faster.

For example, students manipulating the system by having ChatGPT write essays miss an opportunity to learn, demonstrate a dangerously poor understanding of ethics and prove they’re no better than everyone else. Students who learn on their own, articulate original ideas and share a passion for a subject will outperform the machines by an increasingly wide margin.

The future of humans is a fusion of what machines and people do best. What can be predicted or regurgitated should be left to machines, but what requires judgment or rational thinking should be left to us. Generative AI isn’t a crutch, it’s not a panacea, and it’s not a threat to humans. We’re the only species capable of synthesizing ideas, forming opinions and making decisions based on ethical principles. Let’s use this moment in history to embrace the future while investing in our humanity.