ClassX Video Lessons Subjects Artificial Intelligence Why This Virtual Human Is Being Injured by Scientists
The human body is an intricate marvel, composed of 206 bones and over 600 muscles. As we age, we often discover new aches and pains, highlighting the complexity of our physical form. Mastering control over our bodies is a lifelong journey, yet some of us still struggle with it. Interestingly, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are paving the way for machines to learn and mimic human movements, thanks to groundbreaking research conducted by scientists in South Korea. This innovation holds promise for the future of physical therapy, surgery, and robotics.
The researchers embarked on their journey by constructing a simplified model of the human body. Recognizing that not all 600 muscles were necessary for their purposes, they concentrated on the 346 muscles essential for joint movement. These muscles were strategically placed over a skeletal framework featuring eight revolute joints, such as knees and elbows, and 14 ball-and-socket joints, like hips and shoulders. To optimize computational efficiency, they also designed simplified feet with fewer muscles.
The next step involved training the AI to control this skeletal model through various tasks. These ranged from basic actions like walking to more complex maneuvers such as cartwheeling or lifting weights. The AI demonstrated remarkable speed in learning to coordinate these muscles. Researchers utilized motion capture data of humans performing the desired tasks to guide the AI. While AI has previously been trained to make biped models walk without reference data, the results often lacked human-like qualities. By incorporating reference data, the training process was significantly accelerated. Depending on the task’s complexity, the AI could learn to replicate it within 12 to 36 hours using a standard PC equipped with a high-end CPU and graphics card from 2017.
Once the AI mastered the movements, researchers began altering parameters to observe its adaptability. They increased the weights the model was lifting and monitored how it adjusted its muscle groups. When instructed to jump higher, the model adapted by using its arms more dynamically for balance. Through various simulated scenarios, the AI consistently demonstrated its ability to adapt.
In a further exploration, the researchers modified the skeleton and muscles to simulate different ailments. For instance, they tightened calf muscles, causing the model to walk on tiptoes, or introduced a prosthetic limb, requiring the model to learn a new gait. They also simulated surgeries to correct these conditions and observed how the model adapted post-operation. This research is invaluable as it can provide insights into how individuals might walk with new prosthetic designs or inform medical professionals about the benefits of specific surgeries.
Looking ahead, if AI continues to evolve and robotics advance sufficiently, we could witness the development of bipedal robots that seamlessly integrate into human environments.
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The human body is a complex system that can encounter numerous challenges. For more insights into related topics, consider watching Sick’s video on osteoporosis. What are your thoughts on teaching machines to walk? Do you see the benefits, or are you concerned about potential risks? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more intriguing content. See you next time on Seeker.
Work in groups to design a simplified model of the human body using basic materials like clay or 3D modeling software. Focus on the 346 muscles essential for joint movement and the skeletal framework with revolute and ball-and-socket joints. Present your model to the class, explaining the choices you made in your design.
Using a simple AI programming platform, simulate training an AI to perform basic human movements such as walking or lifting. Document the process and challenges faced during the training. Share your findings with your peers, discussing how the AI’s learning process compares to human learning.
Simulate an adaptation scenario where the AI must adjust to a new condition, such as carrying additional weight or simulating an ailment. Analyze how the AI adapts its movements and discuss the implications of these adaptations in real-world applications like prosthetics or physical therapy.
Participate in a debate on the ethical and practical implications of using AI to mimic human physiology. Consider both the potential benefits and risks, such as advancements in medical treatments versus privacy concerns. Prepare arguments and counterarguments to engage in a lively discussion.
Conduct research on the current state of AI in robotics, focusing on bipedal robots and their integration into human environments. Create a presentation to share your findings with the class, highlighting recent advancements, challenges, and future possibilities in this field.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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The human body is complex. It has 206 bones, over 600 muscles, and every day I get older, I discover a new joint I didn’t know could hurt. Learning to control the body takes years of practice and refinement, and some of us still don’t quite have the hang of it. However, artificial intelligence is improving, and using consumer-grade computer hardware, scientists in South Korea were able to train a neural network to control a simulated human body. This work could shape the future of physical therapy, surgery, and robotics.
They started by building a simplified human body. The researchers determined they didn’t need all of those 600 plus muscles, so they focused on the 346 that contribute to joint movement. They rigged these muscles over a skeletal structure that had eight revolute joints, like knees and elbows, and 14 ball-and-socket joints, like hips and shoulders. To reduce computational load, they also designed simplified feet with fewer muscles.
Next, they began training the AI, teaching it to control the skeleton through various tasks, some as simple as walking, while others were more complex, like cartwheeling or lifting weights. The AI learned to coordinate these muscles impressively quickly. Researchers fed it motion capture data of humans performing the desired tasks. While AI has previously been taught to make a biped model walk without reference points, the results weren’t always human-like. However, using reference data sped up the training process significantly. Depending on the complexity of the action, the AI could learn to mimic it in anywhere from 12 to 36 hours, using a standard PC with a higher-end CPU and graphics card from 2017.
Once the AI mastered the movements, researchers began changing the parameters to observe its responses. They increased the weights it was lifting and noted how the model adjusted its muscle groups. They instructed it to jump higher, and the model adapted by using its arms more dynamically for balance. They simulated various scenarios, and the AI demonstrated adaptability.
Finally, they tweaked the skeleton and muscles to simulate different ailments, such as tightened calf muscles that caused the character to walk on tiptoes, or a prosthetic limb that required the character to learn a new gait. They also simulated surgeries to correct these ailments and observed how the model adapted post-operation. This research is valuable as it can teach us how people will walk with new prosthetic designs or inform doctors about the benefits of certain surgeries.
In the future, if the AI is robust enough and robotics advance sufficiently, it could lead to the development of bipedal robots that blend in among humans.
On a different note, I used to think my information was safe online until I experienced a security breach. If you want to take your online security seriously, using a VPN is a great option. I’ve been using one for a while now. NordVPN offers military-grade encryption and unlimited bandwidth, and they have a great deal where you can get 75% off a 3-year plan at nordvpn.com/SEEKER. That’s about $2.99 per month, and for a limited time, you can use code SEEKER for an extra month of NordVPN for free!
The human body is complex and can face many issues. For more information on related topics, check out Sick’s video on osteoporosis. Do you see benefits in teaching machines to walk, or are you concerned about potential risks? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe while you’re there. I’ll see you next time on Seeker.
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This version removes any informal language, potential references to violence, and maintains a professional tone throughout.
Human – A member of the species Homo sapiens, characterized by advanced cognitive abilities and complex social structures. – In the study of artificial intelligence, understanding human decision-making processes is crucial for developing more intuitive algorithms.
Physiology – The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts. – Researchers in AI are increasingly interested in human physiology to create more realistic simulations of human behavior.
Artificial – Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, often as a copy of something natural. – Artificial neural networks are designed to mimic the way human brains process information.
Intelligence – The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills, often studied in both biological organisms and artificial systems. – The development of artificial intelligence aims to replicate the problem-solving capabilities of human intelligence.
Muscles – Tissues in the body of animals that have the ability to contract, producing movement or maintaining the position of parts of the body. – In robotics, actuators are often used to simulate the function of human muscles in machines.
Robotics – The branch of technology that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. – Advances in robotics have been significantly influenced by studies in human physiology and biomechanics.
Training – The process of teaching or developing in oneself or others any skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. – Machine learning models require extensive training on large datasets to improve their accuracy and performance.
Model – A simplified representation of a system or phenomenon, often used in simulations and predictions in both biology and artificial intelligence. – The computational model of neural activity helps researchers understand complex brain functions.
Adaptation – The process by which a species becomes better suited to its environment, or the adjustments made by systems to improve performance. – In AI, adaptation refers to the ability of algorithms to adjust to new data and improve over time.
Ailments – Physical or mental disorders or diseases, often studied in the context of their biological causes and effects. – AI systems are being developed to diagnose and predict ailments by analyzing medical data more efficiently than traditional methods.
