Toyota’s humanoid robot Punyo works as a porter

Most humanoid robots lift objects with their hands. But that’s not how we humans do it, especially when carrying something bulky. We also use our chest, back and arms. This is the idea behind Toyota’s new humanoid robot, Punyo: porterage. Here are the details…

Toyota’s porter robot technology

Punyo is called a humanoid research platform from the torso up. First of all, he has a cute, Japanese-style face and a cute, furry appearance that reminds him of the Baymax robot from Disney’s Big Hero 6.

This so-called “sweater” is made of compressible materials placed over Punyo’s rigid metal frame. The fabric is loaded with tactile sensors that allow the robot to precisely sense the person it is hugging or the object it is carrying.

Researchers at the Toyota Research Institute are training Punyo to handle a series of large objects as a porter. Sometimes this means leaning forward and lifting objects by hugging them to their chest and leaning back.

Other times, there are more interesting carrying techniques, such as slinging a water bottle over your shoulder and securing it from above.

Artificial intelligence learning process

In September, Toyota showed off robots in the kitchen that gave several examples of how to do dozens of different tasks. These tasks included spreading it on bread, peeling potatoes, rolling out pizza dough, and flipping pancakes with a spatula.

The robots then repeated these tasks in simulation for several hours, becoming able to flexibly and autonomously repeat what they saw. Punyo uses the same kind of AI learning process to become a porter.

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But the team also has the ability to adjust variables like how closely to follow sample movements or how much to prioritize things like speed and efficiency.

What do you think of Toyota’s porter humanoid robot Punyo? How can this technology find a place in people’s daily lives? You can share your opinions below.