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Artificial Intelligence and Robotics: A Revolution in Industry and Daily Life

هوش مصنوعی و رباتیک: انقلاب در صنعت و زندگی روزمره

Introduction

In recent decades, artificial intelligence and robotics, as two main pillars of the fourth industrial revolution, have been redefining the boundaries of what's possible in various industries and daily life. The global market value for industrial robot installations has reached a historic record of $16.5 billion, while the AI robotics market is expanding from $23.12 billion to $64.74 billion with an annual growth rate of 29.4%.
The combination of advanced machine learning with robotic systems has created machines that are not only capable of performing complex tasks with high precision but can also learn, adapt, and make autonomous decisions. From humanoid robots working in BMW factories to smart home assistants being deployed in residences, these technologies are becoming an inseparable part of the modern life ecosystem.

1. Convergence of AI and Robotics

1.1. Artificial Intelligence: The Thinking Brain of Robots

Artificial intelligence plays the role of the central nervous system in modern robots. Using deep learning and advanced algorithms, robots can understand their surrounding environment, learn from experiences, and make intelligent decisions.
More than 69,000 experts are currently active in the AI-robotics field, and about 8,000 new expert personnel were added to this sector last year. This rapid growth in human resources demonstrates the increasing importance of this technology.

1.2. Machine Vision and Environmental Perception

Machine vision is one of the most important capabilities of modern intelligent robots. Using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Transformer models in computer vision, robots can:
  • Identify objects, people, and obstacles with high accuracy
  • Map three-dimensional environments and navigate through them
  • Recognize facial expressions and human emotions
  • Perform precise manipulation tasks
Google DeepMind recently introduced two new AI models: Gemini Robotics and Gemini Robotics-ER, which provide advanced spatial understanding capabilities for robots.

1.3. Reinforcement Learning and Environmental Adaptation

Reinforcement learning enables robots to acquire new skills through trial and error and receiving feedback from the environment. Boston Dynamics and the Robotics and AI Institute announced a collaboration to advance humanoid robots through reinforcement learning, creating a shared training pipeline for the Atlas robot.

2. Industrial Robots and Manufacturing Transformation

2.1. Intelligent Automation of Production Lines

Industrial robots equipped with artificial intelligence play a pivotal role in Industry 4.0. These robots not only perform repetitive tasks but are also capable of real-time decision-making and process optimization.
Leading automotive companies using humanoid robots:
  • Tesla: Plan to produce 5,000 Optimus robots with the potential to increase to 12,000 units
  • BYD: Target to deploy 1,500 humanoid robots with plans to increase to 20,000 units by 2026
  • BMW: Collaboration with Figure AI to use Figure 02 in assembly lines
  • Mercedes-Benz: Partnership with Apptronik to develop industrial robots

2.2. Collaborative Robots (Cobots): Human-Machine Coexistence

Collaborative robots are designed to work alongside humans and offer greater safety compared to traditional industrial robots. These robots, using advanced sensors, can:
  • Detect human presence and adjust their speed
  • Prevent dangerous collisions
  • Change tasks based on conditions and maintain high flexibility
With technological advancement, Cobots will be able to perform more complex tasks and adapt to environmental changes in real-time.

2.3. Digital Twins and Robotic Simulation

Digital twins enable real-time simulation and optimization, reducing development and maintenance risks and costs. This technology allows engineers to:
  • Test robot performance before physical deployment
  • Simulate various scenarios in a virtual environment
  • Perform predictive maintenance based on real data

3. Humanoid Robots: The Future of the Workforce

3.1. Remarkable Advances in Hardware and Software

Humanoid robots are one of the hottest topics in robotics. Predictions show that by 2030, approximately 20 million humanoid robots will be deployed in industrial environments.
Some leading models:
  • Tesla Optimus Gen 2: Designed for industrial and domestic tasks
  • Boston Dynamics Atlas: Acrobatic capabilities and high mobility
  • Figure 03: The first humanoid robot suitable for household tasks
  • Unitree G1: Combination of agility, affordability, and efficiency
  • Agility Robotics Digit: Specialist in logistics and package delivery

3.2. Industrial and Commercial Applications

Humanoid robots are currently being tested and deployed in several industries:
Automotive Industry: Performing assembly, inspection, and parts handling tasks. Figure 02 is working a 10-hour daily shift at BMW's factory lifting parts.
Logistics and Warehousing: Digit has been deployed in pilot programs with major logistics companies including Amazon. DHL has plans to deploy more than 1,000 Stretch robots from Boston Dynamics by 2030.
Manufacturing: UBTECH Walker S is assisting human workers in NIO electric vehicle production lines with repetitive and potentially dangerous tasks.
Retail: Assisting customers, managing inventory, and organizing products.

3.3. Technical and Economic Challenges

Despite remarkable progress, humanoid robots still face challenges:
  • Battery limitation: Battery capacity for a complete work shift is still limiting
  • Precise manipulation: Skilled manual dexterity hasn't yet reached human level
  • High cost: Humanoid robot prices vary from $30,000 to over $1 million
  • Autonomy gap: Most humanoid robots are still in testing phases and depend on human input for navigation, manipulation, or task switching

4. Home Robots: The Future of Smart Homes

4.1. Smart Vacuum Cleaners and Cleaning Robots

Artificial intelligence in smart homes has become reality with advanced home robots like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Pro, which uses 10,000Pa suction power and AI-based obstacle detection to identify more than 150 common household objects.
Advanced features of modern cleaning robots:
  • Vision-based navigation using 4 cameras and AI
  • Shredding technology for healthier lawn growth
  • Adaptive weather response and schedule adjustment
  • Multi-zone management with different cutting heights
  • GPS anti-theft tracking
The robotic vacuum cleaner hardware market is predicted to reach $2.6 billion and robotic lawn mowers to reach $1 billion.

4.2. Domestic Humanoid Robots: A New Era of Assistance

Figure 03: Built by Figure AI, the first robot suitable for performing household tasks like folding laundry and loading the dishwasher. The company's CEO has stated that every home will have a humanoid robot that performs household chores from emptying the dishwasher to making the bed.
NEO Gamma from 1X Technologies: This humanoid robot is designed to live in real homes and help people with daily tasks. The company is seeking people interested in sharing their homes with this humanoid robot.
Tesla Bot: Expected to be available for home use soon, performing a wide range of tasks from making coffee to managing daily schedules and ensuring home security.

4.3. Social and Care Robots

Social robots are designed for human interaction and providing care services:
  • Emotion recognition: Ability to identify facial expressions and voice tone
  • Natural conversations: Using natural language processing for smooth communication
  • Elderly care: Assistance with daily activities and health monitoring
  • Education and entertainment: Providing educational content and engaging interaction
Ameca from Engineered Arts, with incredible facial expressions and natural interaction capabilities, has set new standards for human-robot social interaction.

5. Key Technological Innovations

5.1. Specialized Chips for Robotics

Custom AI chips play a critical role in humanoid robot advancement. These robots need high-efficiency chips for motion control, perception, and decision-making, driving unprecedented growth in the semiconductor industry.
NVIDIA Jetson Thor: The computing platform used by Boston Dynamics' Atlas robot as an early adopter of the Isaac GR00T framework.

5.2. Federated Learning and Privacy Preservation

Federated learning allows robots to learn from collective experiences without sharing sensitive user data. This approach:
  • Preserves user privacy
  • Increases learning efficiency
  • Facilitates knowledge sharing between different robots

5.3. Foundation Models and Embodied AI

NVIDIA's Cosmos framework for developing universal foundation models is considered a significant step in AI and physical AI development. These models help robots:
  • Have a deeper understanding of the physical environment
  • Learn complex tasks with less training
  • Perform better in different conditions

5.4. Open-Source Operating Systems for Robots

OM1 from OpenMind AGI: The first open-source operating system for intelligent robots, claimed to be a universal platform that allows any robot to perceive, reason, and act in the real world. This innovation can:
  • Democratize robotic development
  • Reduce development costs
  • Facilitate collaboration between developers

6. Advanced Applications in Various Industries

6.1. Healthcare and Medicine

Artificial intelligence in diagnosis and treatment with medical robots has reached a new stage:
  • Surgical robots: Performing complex operations with greater precision and shorter recovery time
  • AI exoskeletons: Assisting people with mobility disorders
  • Rehabilitation robots: Assisting in physiotherapy and motor recovery
  • Robotic telemedicine: Providing healthcare services in remote areas

6.2. Smart Agriculture

Smart agriculture based on AI uses various robots to optimize production:
  • Spraying drones: Precise targeting and reduced pesticide consumption
  • Crop harvesting robots: Identifying ripe fruits and automatic harvesting
  • Monitoring systems: Monitoring crop and soil health
  • Weeding robots: Removing weeds without chemical herbicides

6.3. Smart Cities and Urban Infrastructure

  • Urban cleaning robots: Automatic cleaning of streets and parks
  • Inspection robots: Monitoring infrastructure and detecting defects
  • Autonomous vehicles: Reducing traffic and pollution
  • Security robots: Patrolling and monitoring public places

6.4. Space Exploration and Hazardous Environments

Robots play a critical role in dangerous and inaccessible environments for humans:
  • Mars rovers: Planetary exploration and data collection
  • Underwater robots: Exploring ocean depths
  • Search and rescue robots: Finding survivors in earthquakes and disasters
  • Bomb disposal robots: Performing dangerous operations

7. Challenges and Ethical Considerations

7.1. Ethical and Social Issues

Ethics in artificial intelligence is of high importance in robotics:
  • Job displacement: One study estimated that more than 100,000 human jobs in the United States could be eliminated by 2030 due to the growth of service robots
  • Access inequality: Digital divide between developed and developing countries
  • Privacy: Concerns about collection and use of personal data
  • Liability: Determining responsibility in case of errors or accidents

7.2. Cybersecurity and Data Protection

  • Security vulnerabilities: Connected robots can be exposed to hacking and intrusion
  • Data protection: Need for strong encryption and security protocols
  • Cyber threats: Risk of misusing robots for malicious purposes

7.3. Standards and Regulations

ISO 10218 standard, which specifies safety guidelines for industrial robots, was revised in 2023 after eight years of work. This standard:
  • Defines safety requirements for industrial robots
  • Provides guidelines for safe human-robot collaboration
  • Specifies testing and certification protocols

8. Market and Economic Forecasts

8.1. Remarkable Market Growth

Morgan Stanley predicts that the humanoid robot market could reach more than $5 trillion by 2050 with over 1 billion units sold. This figure could be twice the size of the automotive industry in the coming decades.
Bank of America Global Research predicts that the humanoid robot market will reach more than $8 billion by 2030.

8.2. Investment and Innovation

  • Venture capital: Billions of dollars have been invested in robotics startups
  • Government programs: Various countries are supporting the robotics industry to maintain competitive advantage
  • Industrial collaboration: Partnership between technology companies and automakers is expanding

8.3. New Job Opportunities

While some jobs are being eliminated, new jobs will also be created:
  • Robot designer and developer: Specialists in programming and machine learning
  • Robot maintenance engineer: Repair and maintenance of robotic systems
  • Robot trainer: Training and programming robots for new tasks
  • AI ethics specialist: Reviewing and monitoring ethical application of technology

9. The Future of AI and Robotics

9.1. Multi-Agent Systems and Collective Intelligence

Multi-agent systems and swarm intelligence will shape the future of robotics:
  • Collective coordination: Multiple robots cooperating to achieve common goals
  • Higher efficiency: Task distribution and collective optimization
  • Failure resistance: Systems that don't completely stop when one unit fails

9.2. Self-Improving AI and Continuous Learning

Self-improving AI models create new capabilities for robots:
  • Lifelong learning: Continuous improvement through experience
  • Transfer learning: Using knowledge from one domain in another
  • Learning from humans: Acquiring new skills through observation and imitation

9.3. Brain-Computer Interface and Mental Control

Brain-computer interface and artificial intelligence can transform how we interact with robots:
  • Hands-free control: Commanding robots with thought
  • Sensory feedback: Receiving sensations and information from robots directly
  • Enhancing human abilities: Integrating robotic capabilities with the human body

9.4. Soft Robots and Nature-Inspired

Soft robots inspired by living organisms have greater flexibility and adaptability:
  • Soft arms: Capability for precise and safe manipulation of fragile objects
  • Biological movement: Mimicking animal movement to traverse complex environments
  • Self-healing: Ability to compensate for minor damages

9.5. Neuromorphic Computing and Energy Efficiency

Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the human brain, will transform the future of processing in robots:
  • Lower energy consumption: Higher efficiency in information processing
  • Parallel processing: Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously
  • Faster learning: More efficient learning algorithms

10. Human-Robot Collaboration in the Future

10.1. Enhancing Human Capabilities

Robots will act as tools to enhance human capabilities:
  • Exoskeletons: Increasing physical strength and endurance
  • Intelligent assistants: Helping with decision-making and problem-solving
  • Precision tools: Performing tasks with accuracy beyond human capability

10.2. Emotional AI and Natural Interaction

Emotional artificial intelligence makes human-robot interactions more human:
  • Understanding emotions: Recognizing and responding to human emotional states
  • Artificial empathy: Appropriate behavior for emotional conditions
  • Non-verbal communication: Using body language and facial expressions

10.3. Integrated Ecosystems

The future will witness complete integration of robots into daily life:
  • Smart homes: Various robots communicating with each other and smart devices
  • Connected cities: Urban infrastructure coordinating with autonomous robots
  • Hybrid work environments: Workspaces designed for optimal human-robot collaboration

11. Preparation Strategies for Transformation

11.1. Education and Workforce Retraining

To benefit from new opportunities, the workforce must acquire new skills:
  • Technical skills: Programming, data science, and machine learning
  • Soft skills: Creativity, problem-solving, and project management
  • Hybrid skills: Simultaneous mastery of technical and human knowledge

11.2. Investment in Infrastructure

Organizations and governments must invest in necessary infrastructure:
  • Communication networks: High-speed internet and 5G/6G networks
  • Data centers: Computing infrastructure for processing massive data
  • Industry standards: Developing common protocols for compatibility

11.3. International Cooperation

Robotics challenges and opportunities transcend national borders:
  • Knowledge exchange: Sharing research and best practices
  • Global standardization: Developing international standards
  • Addressing common challenges: Cooperation on ethical and security issues

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence and robotics are creating a fundamental transformation in how we live, work, and interact with the world. From automated production lines that dramatically increase productivity to home robots that simplify daily tasks, these technologies have unprecedented potential to improve quality of life.
With the AI robotics market value expected to grow from $23 billion to $65 billion in the coming years and predictions of producing over 1 billion humanoid robots by 2050, we are on the verge of a massive transformation.
However, this progress comes with responsibilities. Ethical issues, job displacement, privacy, and cybersecurity must be seriously addressed. Intelligent and ethical use of autonomous artificial intelligence and robotics is the key to building a future where humans and machines work in complete harmony for societal welfare.
The future belongs to those who can understand these technologies, adapt to them, and use them to create value. Investment in education, infrastructure development, and international cooperation will be the main pillars of success in this era of transformation.