AI could enable autonomous robot workers in workplaces and homes

With self-driving robotaxis and delivery drones already operating in cities, the prospect of general-purpose robots assisting humans in workplaces and homes is becoming increasingly realistic. This future depends on advancing robot autonomy through modern AI, a vision that has spurred researchers to become startup founders and attracted billions in investment. Matt Malchano, vice president of software at Boston Dynamics, notes that while a decade ago the focus was simply on navigating from point A to point B, today the concept of autonomy encompasses a vast range of tasks robots might perform independently.