Google DeepMind Rolls Out Mobile ALOHA, An Open Source Humanoid

Google DeepMind and Stanford University have leveraged cutting-edge technology to revolutionise household tasks. Together, they have unveiled Mobile ALOHA, an innovative and affordable open-source hardware system designed for bimanual teleoperation, specifically aimed at enhancing capabilities in cooking and cleaning.

It is a humanoid robot that can be remotely operated by a user and perform autonomously by imitation learning. This development was highlighted by a researcher in a X post, wherein he showed that ALOHA could autonomously cook and serve shrimps, call and take the elevator and store a 3lbs pot in a cabinet – tasks it learned through imitation of 50 demos.

Both the hardware and machine-learning algorithms of ALOHA are open-sourced.

Additionally, the robot can do laundry and can be used as a vacuum cleaner. It could also perform other tasks such as watering plants, loading and unloading from the dishwasher.

Mobile ALOHA can also self-charge and use a coffee machine. While these are some listed chores by the robot, the open-source invention is capable of doing many other tasks that are yet to be announced.

The whole system will reportedly cost less than USD 20,000 with off-the-shelf robots and 3D-printed components. Currently, ALOHA is available on the Trossen Robotics website where buyers can place an order.