Digital Event Horizon
Toyota has successfully created a basketball-playing humanoid robot that can sink record-breaking shots, marking a major milestone in robotics and artificial intelligence research. The CUE6 robot's achievement has pushed the boundaries of what is possible, but it still has a long way to go before its AI bests human records.
Toyota has created a basketball-playing humanoid robot that can sink shots from record-breaking distances. The robot, called CUE6, achieved this feat using artificial intelligence based on robot structure. The CUE team began working on the project in 2017 and released the first prototype in 2018. The robot has undergone several iterations, with each version improving its abilities such as motor power and hoop-sinking prowess. The CUE6 robot set a new record for the most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot (assisted), lasting 6 hours and 35 minutes. Toyota's achievements have solidified their position as leaders in robotics and AI research, inspiring a new generation of engineers and developers.
In a groundbreaking display of technological prowess, Toyota has successfully pushed the boundaries of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) by creating a basketball-playing humanoid robot that has shattered multiple records. The latest achievement, which saw the robot sink a record-breaking 80-foot shot, is a testament to the innovative spirit of the company's engineers and developers.
The journey to this remarkable feat began in April 2017, when a team of nine Toyota engineers embarked on an ambitious project to create a humanoid robot that could demonstrate machine learning through human-like intelligence. The team's initial goal was to develop a robot that could gauge the distance of a free throw on a basketball court and successfully sink multiple shots. This vision was inspired by a quote from the popular comic Slam Dunk, which asked if 20,000 practice shots would be enough to achieve greatness.
After months of trial and error, the first prototype of the CUE robot made its public debut at a Toyota Engineering Society event in 2018, impressing attendees with its ability to sink nine out of ten hoops. The robot's hoop-sinking prowess caught the attention of company executives, who subsequently moved the project to full-time development and funded it for two years.
Over the next few years, the CUE team continued to refine their creation, introducing improvements such as the ability to stand without support and boasting more motor power for longer shots from outside the three-point line. The second-generation CUE-bot, which debuted in 2019, was notable for its "pineapple-like resinous skin" and its capacity to receive a ball in its left hand.
The third-generation CUE-bot, unveiled in April 2019, marked a significant milestone in the project's history, as it successfully executed shots from anywhere between the three-point and center lines. This achievement caught the attention of Guinness World Records officials, who subsequently approached the Toyota team to attempt to set a record for the most consecutive basketball free throws by a humanoid robot (assisted).
On November 7, 2019, the CUE3 robot began its marathon effort, which lasted for six hours and 35 minutes and saw it successfully throw 2,020 basketballs consecutively through the hoop. This record-breaking achievement was an instant hit with the public and solidified Toyota's position as a leader in robotics and AI research.
The CUE team continued to push the boundaries of what is possible with their creation, introducing new features such as the ability to shoot hoops and dribble. The CUE5 humanoid basketball player, which debuted in 2021, could accurately read the ball's position for each bounce and decide how to move its hand, giving it the flexibility to handle any venue.
The most recent iteration of the CUE robot, the CUE6, has taken this achievement to new heights by sinking a record-breaking 80-foot shot. This remarkable feat was achieved using artificial intelligence based on robot structure, which allowed the robot to learn and think about the throwing style that would be the most effective.
According to project leader Tomohiro Nomi, "We aimed to surprise the world by shooting from far away," he said in a statement. "And so, we took on this challenge to shoot from this distance. Using artificial intelligence based on robot structure, it learned and thought of the throwing style that would be the most effective. As a result, I think it led to the current throwing form."
While the CUE6 robot's achievement is certainly impressive, it still has a long way to go before its AI humanoid bests the current human record for the longest basketball shot – which was secured by Joshua Walker in July 2022 and stands at 34.6 meters (113.5 ft).
Despite this, Toyota's remarkable achievements with their CUE robot have solidified their position as leaders in robotics and AI research, and have inspired a new generation of engineers and developers to push the boundaries of what is possible.
Related Information:
https://newatlas.com/ai-humanoids/toyota-cue6-basketball-humanoid-world-record/
Published: Sun Dec 15 08:38:18 2024 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
