If you thought the future of AI was just code on a screen, think again because China just opened an actual vocational school designed entirely for humanoid robots.
The institution launched with an inaugural class of 30 humanoid robots enrolled in specialized programs ranging from performance arts to security services.
A different kind of student, but same education
The Hangzhou Robot School in Zhejiang Province, East China, officially opened its doors to its first robotic cohort last week. While these students aren’t what you’re used to seeing in a classroom, they will undergo rigorous training similar to human vocational education.
In fact, footage from the school’s launch showed the bots looking the part – fully dressed in school uniforms, ties, and capes.
The robots can choose from four distinct tracks depending on their baseline capabilities: technical, nursing, arts, and sports. These programs are designed to upgrade the robots’ physical dexterity and cognitive competence.
“We expect that, upon graduation, our robots will be capable of operating in real-world logistics environments, resolving practical challenges, and executing a broad range of job functions,” said Xu Songui, executive president at Noblelift Group, the tech firm driving the initiative.
Admission and program selection process
Each robot will undergo a physical inspection covering hardware performance, functional integrity, and algorithmic compatibility. The school will then use the results of the physical examination to determine what programs to enroll the bots.
Bots with great sporting abilities will receive advanced training in sports, while the humanoids with basic dance skills are set to receive advanced training that will make their movement more natural and also improve their artistic skills.
Each robot is also equipped with a piece of hardware known as the “infinite Brain.” According to the school, this hardware improves the robots’ visual processing, autonomous positioning, and logical reasoning.
What comes next after education
Upon graduation, the robots will receive certifications in line with their area of specialization. The bots are then deployed to various fields such as security, industrial, entertainment and service sectors.
However, the graduating students must pass their assessment before they are issued their certifications.
Is the future really here
With the massive strides being made in artificial intelligence, this latest development forces us to reevaluate what the future holds for robotics.
Early images and videos from the campus already show robots performing various activities like playing table tennis, practicing the piano, and playing basketball. With the rapid evolution of embodied AI, this school offers a fascinating and quite eerie glimpse into the near future – where your next coworker or service provider might just be a trade school graduate running on a lithium-ion battery.
Sources: The Independent, ECNS