3 Key Skill Sets for Today’s Smart Robots

Some of the top things AI does in the field of robotics include:

• Natural Language Processing: When humans interact with robots, e.g. humanoid robots that work in healthcare settings, they ideally understand when humans speak with them. That requires an AI technology called Natural Language Processing. With this technology, robots can also be enabled to communicate via speech themselves.
• Navigating and Pathing: Autonomous robots, such as humanoid robots working in logistic facilities, autonomous vehicles, etc. have to navigate and find efficient paths from where they are to where they want to be. Especially in high-traffic, less predictable environments, this requires advanced algorithms and massive computing power.
• Computer Vision: Robots that move from A to B, be it humanoid robots working in permanent care facilities or delivery robots that move packages, ordered food, etc. to consumers’ homes, need to know their surroundings. The combination of high-powered sensors and AI algorithms that process this data for accurate views of the robots’ surroundings allows them to move from A to B, to avoid obstacles, and so on.

• Computer Vision is also important for robots that work in industrial or logistics tasks, such as sorting items, packaging items, etc. Last but not least, computer vision is also used in robots that interact with people, with AI allowing them to detect moods or recognize specific persons via facial recognition tech.

The Companies to Watch

There are many companies that work in the intersection of robotics and AI. NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), of course, stands out as one of the key beneficiaries: Its GPUs are the dominant tech for training AI algorithms, including those that are used in robots for pathing, language processing, computer vision, and so on.

NVIDIA also offers robotics-specific products and services, such as its CUDA software and robotics-focused chips like the Jetson family, as well as Isaac Sim, which allows developers to simulate and test robot technology. NVIDIA is partnered with many companies that are active in the field of robotics, and its management sees robotics as a major future growth market.

Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), with its Optimus robotics program, is another major player in the robotics & AI intersection. While it started out as an automobile manufacturer, Tesla’s focus has shifted towards AI and autonomy over time, with its main goals including AI usage in vision and planning, with that tech then being used in vehicles, humanoid robots, and possibly future form factors.

Rockwell Automation (NASDAQ: ROK) is an industrial company that works on integrating AI tools with robotic technology for industrial applications, such as smart manufacturing. Smarter production lines, robot-led logistics, etc. are some of its main goals in its industry 4.0 business.

Investors that are interested in broader exposure to the world of tech and Artificial Intelligence should take a look at our top picks.