π€ Robotics - Balloon-Powered Robots
Balloon-powered robots are a unique and fascinating area of robotics research. These robots use helium balloons to create buoyancy and movement, allowing them to float and walk in a variety of environments. The Buoyant Choreographies project by RoMeLa is a notable example of this type of robot, which was showcased at ICRA in Atlanta last year.
Key Points:
β’ Balloon-powered robots use helium balloons to create buoyancy and movement.
β’ These robots can float and walk in a variety of environments.
β’ The Buoyant Choreographies project by RoMeLa is a notable example of this type of robot.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - Balloon-powered robots
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π Robotics - SmoothRL for Online RL during Async Inference
SmoothRL is a new approach to online reinforcement learning (RL) that allows robots to continue moving while the model thinks. This is particularly important in high-speed throws, where even a single pause can kill the momentum. Astribot has released SmoothRL for online RL during async inference, which keeps the robot moving as the model computes the next action chunk.
Key Points:
β’ SmoothRL allows robots to continue moving while the model thinks.
β’ This approach is particularly important in high-speed throws.
β’ Astribot has released SmoothRL for online RL during async inference.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - SmoothRL for online RL during async inference
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π Art - Exterior Design for Robot Costume
The exterior design of a robot costume can greatly impact the overall appearance and feel of the robot. In this tweet, the author shares their experience designing the exterior of a robot costume for an art university project. They discuss the challenges of creating a design that eliminates the robot's mechanical feel and makes it move while keeping the size sense of a small character.
Key Points:
β’ The exterior design of a robot costume can greatly impact the overall appearance and feel of the robot.
β’ The author shares their experience designing the exterior of a robot costume for an art university project.
β’ The design challenges included creating a design that eliminates the robot's mechanical feel and makes it move.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - Exterior design for robot costume
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π€ Philosophy - The Process of Finding What You Like
The author wonders how the process of finding what you like works. They ask whether it is predetermined innately or shaped by the environment, and whether it feels like some kind of chance encounter gets amplified in the brain, gradually turning into a liking.
Key Points:
β’ The author wonders how the process of finding what you like works.
β’ They ask whether it is predetermined innately or shaped by the environment.
β’ The author suggests that it may feel like some kind of chance encounter gets amplified in the brain.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - The process of finding what you like
πΌ Business - The Mindset of Builders vs. Megacorps
Everyone has access to the same tools now, but the difference lies in the mindset. Builders adapt overnight, while megacorps remain bureaucratic and outdated. The author suggests that this is why megacorps lay off 800 people overnight because they are lean.
Key Points:
β’ Everyone has access to the same tools now.
β’ The difference lies in the mindset of builders vs. megacorps.
β’ Builders adapt overnight, while megacorps remain bureaucratic and outdated.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - The mindset of builders vs. megacorps
π‘ Productivity - Taking Time to Answer Questions
The author suggests that taking time to answer questions is an important habit to develop. They think that everyone should do this, especially when talking about their work or something important in general. The author notes that speaking sloppily can be detrimental.
Key Points:
β’ Taking time to answer questions is an important habit to develop.
β’ Everyone should take time to answer questions, especially when talking about their work.
β’ Speaking sloppily can be detrimental.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - Taking time to answer questions
π€ Robotics - Angle Units in Robotics
The author suggests that angle units should be in turns, not radians. They think that this is a good approach, especially for robot arms. The author notes that radians are convenient because sinΞΈ = ΞΈ when ΞΈ is small, but for robot arms, if the encoder resolution is 12 bits, we approximate Ο as 3 and do 6.00/4000 for the angle.
Key Points:
β’ Angle units should be in turns, not radians.
β’ This approach is particularly useful for robot arms.
β’ Radians are convenient, but turns are a better choice for robot arms.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - Angle units in robotics
π€ AI - GPT-6 Astra
GPT-6 Astra is a new AI model that has been released. The author notes that it might be one of the most important AI releases yet. OpenAI says that the model hits 98% on FrontierMath Tier 4, 99.9% on ARC-AGI 3, and a perfect 100% on ExploitBench. The author also notes that the model shows big improvements in computer use, science, coding, cybersecurity, and more.
Key Points:
β’ GPT-6 Astra is a new AI model that has been released.
β’ The model shows big improvements in various areas, including computer use, science, and coding.
β’ The model has achieved high scores on various benchmarks, including FrontierMath Tier 4 and ARC-AGI 3.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - GPT-6 Astra
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π€ Robotics - THK Humanoids and ROBO-ONE
THK is developing humanoids and also doing new grad hiring. The author notes that the mechs for this are basically a scaled-up version of ROBO-ONE's bipedal walking. The author suggests that this might be a chance for folks who've done ROBO-ONE in their gakuchika too.
Key Points:
β’ THK is developing humanoids and doing new grad hiring.
β’ The mechs for this are basically a scaled-up version of ROBO-ONE's bipedal walking.
β’ This might be a chance for folks who've done ROBO-ONE in their gakuchika too.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - THK humanoids and ROBO-ONE
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π€ Robotics - Nobody Claps for a Man While He Is Building
Nobody claps for a man while he is building. His family doubts him, and friends disappear. Then one day, the results speak, and everyone acts like they believed in him.
Key Points:
β’ Nobody claps for a man while he is building.
β’ His family doubts him, and friends disappear.
β’ Then one day, the results speak, and everyone acts like they believed in him.
π Resources:
β’ Original post β - Nobody claps for a man while he is building
