Teaching a robot how to do something is usually done by either programming it to perform a specific task, or demonstrating that task for the robot to observe and imitate. The latter method, however, so far hasn't been accurate enough for robots to be able to transfer their knowledge to other robots.
That's changing, however, thanks to researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and a their new teaching method, called C-LEARN. That could have far-reaching consequences by making it easier for non-programmers to teach robots how to perform certain tasks. Even better, it allows robots to teach other robots how to perform the same tasks.
SEE ALSO:Google-backed exhibit shows robots just want to be friends. They promise.The system does this by giving the robot a knowledge base with information on how to reach and grab different objects. Then, using a 3D interface, the robot is shown a single demo on how to, say, pick up a cylinder or open a door. The task is divided into important moments called "keyframes" -- steps that robot needs to take in order to correctly perform the task.
The test bed for C-LEARN is a small, two-armed bomb-disposal robot called Optimus. Once Optimus learns how to perform a task, it can transfer that knowledge to Atlas, a six-foot-tall, 400-pound robot (we wrote about Atlas several times in the past, here and here).
“By combining the intuitiveness of learning from demonstration with the precision of motion-planning algorithms, this approach can help robots do new types of tasks that they haven’t been able to learn before, like multi-step assembly using both of their arms,” Claudia Pérez-D’Arpino, a PhD student who wrote a paper on C-LEARN together with MIT professor Julie Shah, said in a statement.
The approach, D'Arpino claims, is similar to how humans learn -- they take what they already know and tie that information to a demonstration of how something is done. “We can’t magically learn from a single demonstration, so we take new information and match it to previous knowledge about our environment," she said.
Credit: MIT, CSAILAnd that's the point -- teaching robots in a similar way we teach humans to do things would make the process faster and easier. Right now, the C-LEARN method can't handle certain problems, including avoiding collisions, but the team hopes that the system can be further advanced by implementing more human-like learning capabilities.
TopicsRobotics
(责任编辑：熱點)
Tyler, the Creator helped Frank Ocean celebrate 'Blonde' release in a delicious way
2018 flagship Android phones have faster data speeds than any iPhoneYou still can't block followers on Spotify, and users are not happyHBO's 'Sharp Objects' is a mustPlane makes emergency landing after engine rips apart during flightThis 'sh*tpost' bot makes terrible memes so you don't have to
The internet is awash in trashy memes just waiting for your late-night retweet spree. Why waste prec
...[详细]Planet formation around distant star captured by astronomers
For the first time, astronomers captured a clear image of a young planet forming around a star. 。 It
...[详细]Bose is entering new territory with the noise
Sleep is a necessity, and missing out on it for whatever reason is never good.That's the reason slee
...[详细]Josh Brolin recreates 'Avengers: Infinity War' ending for pending largest Reddit ban ever
Mild spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War below.。Have mercy on me, Josh Brolin. 。 If you're not franti
...[详细]You can now play 'Solitaire' and 'Tic
Google just added two new fun Easter eggs to its search results. 。You can now play。 Solitaire 。and
。 Ti
...[详细]Apple's 2018 MacBook Pro can't recover data if the logic board fails
If you buy one of the new 2018 MacBook Pros, you'd best back up your data, since recovery will be mu
...[详细]New Google Maps features just started rolling out — do you have them?
For all of you who've been holding your breath this past month, it's finally time to exhale: On Tues
...[详细]Cynthia Nixon celebrates #TransDayofAction with a post about her son
In honor of Trans Day of Action, Cynthia Nixon shared a touching Instagram post to celebrate her old
...[详细]U.S. pole vaulter skids to a halt for national anthem
An American pole vaulter took his patriotism to the next level at the Olympics.
。Sam Kendricks, a sec
...[详细]Cynthia Nixon celebrates #TransDayofAction with a post about her son
In honor of Trans Day of Action, Cynthia Nixon shared a touching Instagram post to celebrate her old
...[详细]