Sanctuary AI, based in Canada, has recently launched the 7th generation of its Phoenix humanoid robot, named AI-enabled Phoenix 7, which boasts considerable advancements over its predecessors.
The latest model features an enhanced AI control system, dubbed Carbon, which significantly improves its human-like capabilities. Both the hardware and AI software have undergone upgrades to make this possible. This new iteration follows closely on the heels of the 6th generation, released less than a year ago, and the 5th generation, which debuted in January 2023.
Sanctuary AI describes the 7th-gen Phoenix as the most advanced version yet, specifically designed to closely mimic human actions using top-tier, high-fidelity training data. Phoenix 7 is noted for its increased operational time which allows for more data training and capturing.
Key hardware enhancements include greater flexibility in the wrists, hands, and elbows, alongside miniaturized hydraulics that decrease the robot’s weight, power usage, and complexity. Additionally, the robot has been upgraded with improved visual and tactile sensing capabilities.
These improvements have drastically reduced the learning curve for new tasks—from weeks to just 24 hours. Unlike earlier models that focused primarily on the torso, recent generations have expanded attention to include the robot’s legs, with Generation 6 being a pioneer in this aspect.
Recent footage released by Sanctuary AI showcased Phoenix 7’s enhanced dexterity through a colour object-sorting task performed in February of this year. The footage also demonstrated the training process involving teleoperation by a human “trainer,” enabling the robot’s Carbon AI software to independently learn and replicate the task.
This newest model represents a significant leap forward in the AI-controlled, general-purpose robot series, which aims to support human workers in tedious or repetitive tasks, thereby freeing them up for more complex activities.
Sanctuary AI’s CEO and Co-Founder, Geordie Rose, expressed his amazement at the rapid progress made within just 11 months. “With Generation 7, we have a system that we believe is the most closely analogous to a person of any available,” Rose stated. He views this development as a pivotal moment not just for AI robotics but also as an essential step towards achieving artificial general intelligence.
“We see this as not only the cornerstone of general-purpose AI robotics but a critical step on the path to artificial general intelligence, and we’re thrilled to be leading the charge on it,” Rose added. “This all adds up to being able to capture increasing quantities of higher-quality, higher-fidelity human behavioural data, which in turn will expedite the development of foundational AI models and customer deployments,” he concluded.
