What is embodied AI?

Embodied AI refers to artificial intelligence integrated into physical systems, such as robots or other autonomous machines. This type of AI interacts directly with its environment, using sensory signals to make real-time decisions and translate those decisions into actions.

Embodied AI combines perception, learning, and motor skills, allowing systems to perform tasks that require a close connection between analysis and action. This integration enables complex interactions within dynamic environments. Below, we explain how embodied AI works and explore its various areas of application.

How does Embodied AI work?

The benefits of embodied AI arise from the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into physical systems, such as drones or service robots. The systems interact directly with their environment, which is made possible by the interaction of different components. The aim of combining different aspects is the efficient and autonomous accomplishment of complex tasks. The aspects required for this include:

• Sensors: Sensors are crucial for AI to function. Cameras, microphones, or haptic sensors detect the physical environment and gather data about light, sound, touch, and movement.
• Processing the data: Collected data is often processed in real time using machine learning and neural networks. The AI learns to recognise patterns from the collected data in order to derive decisions and react to new situations.
• Motor skills: The processed data forms the foundation for the AI’s motor skills. It controls motors, moving parts, or joints to perform physical actions, such as grasping objects, navigating environments, and adapting to changing conditions.
• Feedback: Embodied AI often uses feedback loops so that the results of actions are immediately evaluated and used to adapt subsequent behaviour. This ensures that systems continuously improve their capabilities and can therefore react appropriately to dynamic environments.

In which areas is embodied AI used?

There are already a large number of applications in very different areas in which embodied AI generates potential. These areas benefit from the combination of physical interaction with autonomous decision-making:

• Industry and manufacturing: Embodied AI is commonly used in industrial robots for tasks like welding, packaging, and quality control. These robots help replace or support repetitive or dangerous human activities, offering precision and efficiency in these areas.

• Autonomous locomotion: AI has various potential applications in road transportation, such as freight transport and urban mobility for passengers. Self-driving cars, buses, trucks, and drones use AI to navigate complex environments, analyse traffic situations, and respond to unexpected events.

• Healthcare: AI is not only used in medicine to better analyse data from MRI and other diagnostic methods. Robots are also helping in various areas such as operations, care and rehabilitation. This improves patient care and relieves the burden on medical staff.

• Hospitality and service: In restaurants, hotels, airports, and public facilities, AI-powered robots can greet guests, provide information, and even handle tasks like cleaning or delivering goods. These robots are enhancing customer service and streamlining operations.

• Warehouse logistics: This is where robots take on tasks such as picking and transporting goods and managing stock levels, increasing efficiency and also accuracy across the supply chain.

• Smart home or home automation: In home applications, devices like vacuum cleaners and robotic lawn mowers are common examples of embodied AI in use. These robots scan their environment and navigate around obstacles while performing their tasks.

What is the state of development of embodied AI?

The maturity of the technology has improved significantly in recent years and is still undergoing a continuous innovation process. The further development of AI is particularly evident in the following points:

• Robotics and sensor technology: Modern robots use advanced sensors to precisely recognise their surroundings. This allows AI-supported systems to identify objects, avoid obstacles, and perform even complex tasks.
• Self-driving vehicles: Autonomous vehicles can already perform various tasks in controlled environments like factories. However, in public road traffic, AI faces unforeseen challenges that it can overcome more effectively through continuous training and the analysis of existing data.
• Cognitive skills: Advanced algorithms help AI learn from experience, enabling it to better adapt to dynamic and complex situations. However, many current systems are still specialised for specific tasks, meaning they cannot yet fully replicate the flexibility of human performance.
• Interaction with humans: Robots and AI systems are being developed to assist with tasks in care, service, or household chores, focusing on human interaction. Advances in speech processing and emotional recognition are key here, although current systems still struggle to correctly interpret complex social and emotional contexts.

What examples are there of embodied AI being used in practice?

Well-known companies have not only conducted initial field tests and developed prototypes in the field of embodied AI but have already implemented applications suitable for everyday use. These include, among others:

• Boston Dynamics: The four-legged robot named Spot is used on construction sites for tasks like inspection, mapping, and monitoring. It can navigate complex and unstructured environments, making it valuable in situations where human intervention is difficult or risky.
• Amazon Robotics: Amazon uses autonomous robots in its warehouses to pick and transport goods. These robots navigate through the warehouse, optimising processes within the logistics chain.
• Intuitive Surgical: The Da Vinci robot assists in performing precise, minimally invasive surgical procedures. This system combines human control with embodied AI, blending human intuition with robotic precision to improve surgical outcomes.

Conclusion: embodied AI offers enormous potential

The use of embodied AI enables many processes, including challenging or hazardous tasks, to be handled by machines and robots. The precise execution and continuously improving manoeuvrability in dynamic and complex situations lay the foundation for further applications, helping to alleviate the burden on humans.