Sanctuary AI, a Vancouver-based robotics company, has unveiled the seventh generation of its Phoenix general-purpose robot. The latest iteration showcases significant advancements in both hardware and AI software, bringing the robot closer to human-like capabilities.
The new Phoenix robot boasts improved uptime, faster build and commissioning speed, and a reduced bill of materials. Hardware upgrades include increased range of motion in the wrists, hands, and elbows, as well as enhanced hand durability. The company has also further miniaturized the robot's hydraulics, resulting in reduced weight, power consumption, and complexity while exceeding specified safety standards.
One of the most notable improvements is the robot's visual acuity and tactile sensing, which provide higher-fidelity data for training the AI control system, Carbon. This advancement has led to a significant reduction in the time required to automate new tasks, from weeks to less than 24 hours, marking a major milestone in task automation speed and autonomous system capability.
Geordie Rose, CEO and Co-Founder of Sanctuary AI, expressed his enthusiasm for the progress made in just 11 months, stating, "With Generation 7, we have a system that we believe is the most closely analogous to a person of any available." He further emphasized the importance of this development in the path towards artificial general intelligence and the company's commitment to leading the charge in this field.
Sanctuary AI, founded in 2018, aims to create human-like intelligence in general-purpose robots to help address labor challenges across various industries. The company's team consists of experienced professionals from startups and technology leaders such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Softbank Robotics, with a track record of launching market-defining innovations.