UK's answer to Darpa invests £23.3M in touchy-feely robots

The UK's version of Darpa — a US government blue-sky research body — has invested £23.3 million (c $32 million) into nine teams working to transform "robotic dexterity." The Advanced Research and Invention Agency, or ARIA, said the research would help robots aid a growing ageing population and address intensified labor …

[elsergiovolador]

Okay.

- has invested £23.3 million

- designed to position the UK as a global leader in robotics.

Okay.

[trevorde]

Simple solution

Buy one of Tesla's Optimus robots

[Anonymous Coward]

"touchy-feely robots"

"creating dexterous robot hands"

Given ARIA is a creature of the UK govt, I would have to go full Profumo and wonder whether this is a 22 million guinea† ministerial hand job.

"and using AI to learn robot dexterity."

Let us hope they pull it off.

"would help robots aid a growing ageing population and address intensified labor shortages."

They would say that, wouldn't they.‡

_{† the professional's fee traditionally added an extra shilling in the pound. ‡ misquoting M.R-D.}

[Persona]

Fingers crossed

I really want this type of technology to become viable. If it does I see myself still in my home in 30 years time, but with a couple of robots looking after the house plus me and my wife. To me this is infinitely preferable to being in very expensive care home, neglected by the overworked minimum wage care staff so sitting in a pool of urine. Possibly not my urine.

[Anonymous Coward]

Re: Fingers crossed

If they can create a bot that can wash dishes - properly, getting them clean without damaging them - it would be worth quite a bit to my household. As long as it's not insanely expensive or takes up large amounts of space. Ditto for folding laundry.

[Fruit and Nutcase]

address intensified labor shortages

With AI predicted to make lots of people unemployed, there will be plenty of people looking for work