Robotics

The intersection of science, engineering and technology that produces machines, called robots, that substitute for (or replicate) human actions.

How it works

Modern AI-powered robots use perception systems (cameras, LiDAR, force sensors) to observe their environment, planning algorithms to decide what to do, and control systems to execute actions. Deep learning models process sensor data to detect and classify objects. Reinforcement learning and imitation learning train manipulation and locomotion policies. Foundation models increasingly serve as high-level planners that break goals into robot-executable sub-tasks, bridging language instructions and physical actions.

Why it matters

Robotics translates AI capabilities into the physical world. AI-powered robots are transforming warehousing, manufacturing, surgery, agriculture, and logistics — performing precise, repeatable physical tasks at scales impossible for human workforces. As foundation models improve, we are approaching general-purpose robots that can be instructed in natural language, potentially the most economically significant technology of the next decade.