Nature-Inspired Robots (With Tyson Phillips)-Ep #171

In this episode, we explore how Piaggio Fast Forward uses insights from animal behavior to design robots that navigate social norms and enhance human interaction, while leveraging AI and in-house data to refine their functionality.

About the Episode:
In this episode, we speak with Tyson Phillips from Piaggio Fast Forward about how studying animal behavior—from falcons to goats—has revolutionized robotic design. Tyson shares how his team analyzed 1,700 hours of footage and conducted 470 motion capture sessions to uncover unique insights into animal interactions, which helped them refine their robots’ social etiquette and navigation skills. We discuss the role of AI in processing this data, their approach to developing in-house behavioral databases, and how their robots differ by focusing on human-centric tasks like navigating crowds in airports, warehouses, and hospitals. Finally, we touch on the importance of data security and how their work avoids military applications while prioritizing collaboration over surveillance.

About the Guest:

Tyson Phillips is Smart Behaviors Team Lead at Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF), where he has worked for over three years. A licensed architect (RA) in New York, he holds a master’s degree in architecture from UCLA, with a focus on the intersection of technology and the built environment. Tyson has secured multiple grants for his research in robotics in architecture and has co-authored papers on robotics in the building industry. His work has been featured at prestigious events such as Sundance, SXSW, and CES. Previously, he consulted for Google's internal design and technology research team. Tyson advocates for applying an artist's mindset to enhance technology's purpose and performance in our lives.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyson-keen-phillips/

Website: https://piaggiofastforward.com/

Social: https://www.instagram.com/piaggiofastforward/?hl=en

Timestamps:
00:01:37 - Episode Commences
00:06:10 - Artificial Intelligence and Biomimetics in Robotics
00:10:40 - Robot Navigation and Heavy Load
00:19:30 - Developing Robots With Cultural Adaptation
00:25:31 - Robot Interaction and Social Acceptance
00:30:54 - Robot Control Approaches and Privacy
00:34:43 - Robot Acceptance in Society Trends
00:39:36 - Company Products and Robot Challenges
00:44:44 - Robot Development and Future Integration
00:48:19 - Robot Technology for Pedestrian Lifestyle
00:50:14 - Robots Enhancing Daily Life and Interaction
00:57:48 - Episode Concludes

Additional Notes:

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