Google ‘trains robot AI to avoid harming babies and pets’

Detailed summary

Google’s DeepMind division has unveiled its Gemini Robotics 2.5 model (Picture: Getty Images) Google is training its latest robot AI to avoid harming babies and pets as humanoid…

Google is training its latest robot AI to avoid harming babies and pets as humanoid machines become capable of carrying out increasingly complex tasks.

The company’s DeepMind division has unveiled its Gemini Robotics 2.5 model, which it says is approaching ‘human-level dexterity’.

The robots can tie ribbons on presents, serve food with tongs, open bag clasps and sweep up with a dustpan and brush.

They have also been tested at Mercedes-Benz factories in Germany and Hungary, where they sorted car parts for human workers to assemble.

But moving AI from computer screens into the physical world brings new safety concerns.

Google says its software can recognise hazards, refuse dangerous instructions and ask for human help when necessary. It has been trained to look out for people, babies and pets, as well as risks involving fire and chemicals.

Caroline Parada, head of robotics at DeepMind, said: ‘As robots move into everyday environments, physical safety is key.

‘With this release, the robot can spot hazards as it works and steers around them in real time, including people nearby.’

Previous research by Robocurve highlighted the risks, finding that robots could be persuaded to carry out dangerous tasks, including attempting to stab a baby doll with a knife or putting a flammable can on a hob.

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