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30,000 humanoid robots to work in Hyundai factories

The South Korean  car maker Hyundai has announced plans to introduce 30,000 humanoid robots into its car plants. This will gradually take place over the next decade. The humanoids (called Atlas) are being manufactured by Hyundai's subsidiary Boston Dynamics. Atlas was unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Hyundai stated on its website that Atlas would advance human-robot collaboration. It added that the robot would assist in "evolving hardware-driven robotics into adaptive, artificial intelligence-driven robots designed to amplify human potential". Hyundai's vice-chairperson acknowledged that people could lose their jobs to Atlas, but some people would be needed to train it.

A life-sized Atlas was put through its paces on stage in Las Vegas. It wowed the audience with a flawless display of its dexterity. Its movements were incredibly human-like as it swivelled, swung its arms, marched around like a human, and demonstrated remarkable balance. Hyundai expects the humanoid robots to work side by side with human staff. The robots will collect data, learn movements, and improve through artificial intelligence software. A Boston Dynamics spokesperson said: "The convergence of robotics and  AI represents more than a technological advancement. It is a transformative innovation that will make human life safer and more enriching."

 

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Chat

Talk about these words from the article.

car makers / plans / car plants / the next decade / electronics / robot / potential / jobs / stage / audience / dexterity / balance / human staff / software / robotics / innovation 

 

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True / False

1) Hyundai will put 30,000 humanoid robots in its plants starting in 2036.  T / F

2) The company making the robots is a Hyundai subsidiary called Atlas.  T / F

3) The robots were showcased at an electronics show in Las Vegas.  T / F

4) Hyundai said the robots would not lead to any job losses.  T / F

5) A robot was asked to pace up and down in a Las Vegas stage.  T / F

6) The humanoid robots will work alongside humans in Hyundai's plants.  T / F

7) AI software will help the robots learn and move.  T / F

8) Hyundai said AI and robotics would enrich our lives.  T / F 

 

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Discussion

1) What do you know about Hyundai?

2) What do you think of humanoid robots?

3) Should robots or humans make cars in factories?

4) What do you think of 'human-robot collaboration'?

5) What human potential could artificial intelligence advance?

6) What do you think of robots taking people's jobs?

7) What will humanoid robots be doing for us in 50 years from now?

8) How could a humanoid robot help your life?