"Robots Pick the Best Robots" — Unveiling the 2023 Global Top 10 List | Y·Robot

Major breakthroughs in AI, exponential growth in computing power and cloud infrastructure, new materials pushing durability and energy efficiency to new heights... 2023 marked an exciting new phase of development for robotics.

We asked Claude 2 and Perplexity to each compile a "Top 10 Robots of 2023" list. Below are their responses, along with highlights for each robot —

● Reading Notes

1. Generative conversational AI seems determined to stay modest about its own remarkable achievements, or perhaps... in any case, ChatGPT did not appear on either list. Additionally, due to information cutoff limitations, the latest releases such as RT-2 and Optimus were not included.

2. We used the exact same prompt for both AI systems, but the results diverged — each has its own retrieval channels and definition of "Top." We welcome your nominations in the comments for robots you believe absolutely deserve a spot.

3. Interestingly, we found that both Claude 2 and Perplexity seemed to attach a "product" framing to their selections.

4. Final results were human-verified — each robot does exist — but if you spot any AI hallucinations in the details, please flag them in the comments.

Authors ｜Claude 2, Perplexity

Compiled by: YQ

2023

Top 10 Robots

By Claude 2

1. Digit

2. Waymo

3. CoWriter (Claude 2)

4. Aquanaut

5. Guardian XO

6. Spot

7. Nimbo

8. Skydio

9. Locus Robotics

10. da Vinci

By Perplexity

1. Spot

2. Digit

3. Cassie

4. Pepper

5. HRP-5P

6. Stuntronic

7. Aquanaut

8. Sophia

9. Ameca

10. Deep Robotics Lite3

Claude 2

Top 5

Pragmatist, Industry-Focused

Editor's notes:

1. Once Claude 2 understood it couldn't just fabricate a list, it proceeded with clear logic: first categorizing robots by industry segment, then naming candidates. (In its fabricated version, nearly all top 10 were industrial robots.)

2. The following Top 5 represent the leading entry from each of the top five categories: humanoid, autonomous driving, collaborative, industrial, and exoskeleton.

01

Digit

Developer: Agility Robotics

Highlights: A bipedal robot designed specifically for logistics and delivery applications. It can carry packages weighing up to 40 pounds and navigate stairs, curbs, and other obstacles. Advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms enable autonomous operation with continuous self-adaptation to changing environments.

02

Waymo

Developer: Waymo

Highlights: Google's autonomous driving software leverages LiDAR, radar, and neural network algorithms, currently deployed on trucks and taxis.

03

CoWriter

The response didn't specify what CoWriter is, but clearly identified its developer —

Developer: Anthropic

Highlights: Employs natural language processing to understand context and respond appropriately in conversation. Machine learning algorithms enable it to read human emotional cues, providing users with helpful information.

04

Aquanaut

Developer: Houston Mechatronics

Highlights: An underwater robot that excels at both swimming and walking — an amphibious humanoid robot. Its rugged construction allows it to study coral reefs and monitor aquatic ecosystems.

05

Guardian XO

Developer: Sarcos

Highlights: A full-body exoskeleton that augments human strength and endurance for physically demanding work.

Perplexity

Top 5

Imagination-Favoring, Academically Inclined

Editor's notes:

1. Because it cites sources, Perplexity's "evaluation" process was less fraught.

2. Perplexity shows clear preference for humanoid robots and research-oriented academic robots.

01

Spot

Developer: Boston Dynamics

Highlights: A quadruped robot capable of navigating challenging terrain and performing diverse tasks including inspection, surveillance, and delivery. Advanced sensors and AI algorithms enable autonomous operation and environmental interaction.

02

Digit

Also appeared on Claude 2's list; see above for details

03

Cassie

Developer: Agility Robotics

Highlights: A bipedal robot designed for research and development purposes. Capable of walking, running, and performing various maneuvers, it serves as a valuable tool for testing and validating new algorithms and control systems.

04

Pepper

Developer: SoftBank Robotics

Highlights: A humanoid robot designed for personal assistance and customer service applications. Natural language processing and facial recognition technology enable human interaction, making it a valuable tool for enhancing customer experience.

05

HRP-5P

Developer: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Highlights: This humanoid robot is designed for construction and manufacturing applications. It can perform various tasks including drilling, welding, and painting, making it a valuable tool for addressing labor shortages and improving productivity.

Rankings are merely a window into the world of robotics. We can already see how robots of diverse forms are improving our lives and work: in factories, dangerous and repetitive labor is being taken over by robots, while human-robot collaboration grows ever closer; for consumers, robots for cleaning, delivery, education, health, and entertainment are gradually becoming more affordable.

We believe that by continuously pushing the boundaries of time, strength, precision, and endurance through technological power, robots will — much as computers transformed information flow — steadily improve existing workflows.