Bridging the Gap Between Science Fiction and Robotics Reality: A Conversation with Dennis Hong

Star Wars, Electric State, and a Childhood Dream

From a childhood captivated by the droids of Star Wars to building a custom robot for Netflix's The Electric State, Dennis Hong, a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at UCLA, has dedicated his life to bringing robotic dreams to reality. At seven years old, watching Star Wars at the TCL Chinese Theatre sparked a lifelong passion, leading him to the directorship of the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (RoMeLa).

“When I was seven years old… I watched the movie Star Wars for the first time… on my way home… I told my mom and dad, I said, I’m going to grow up to become a robot scientist. And I follow my dreams, and I’m here today.” - Dennis Hong

Building Cosmo: The Challenges of Entertainment Robotics

Hong's work on The Electric State involved building Cosmo, the movie's main robot character. This venture presented unique challenges compared to building functional robots. While the film industry often relies on CGI, the Russo brothers envisioned a physical Cosmo for premieres and promotional events.

Building a robot designed for aesthetics rather than pure functionality presented a unique engineering puzzle. Cosmo's large head and oversized boots, charming on screen, posed significant challenges for real-world balance and movement. The tight eight-month deadline and the need to pack complex components into a small frame added further complexity.

BEAR Actuators: Artificial Muscles for Lifelike Movement

To achieve Cosmo's lifelike movements, Hong and his team developed BEAR (Back-Derivable Electromagnetic Actuators for Robots) actuators, a type of artificial muscle. These actuators offer compliant, force-controlled movement, distinct from the stiff precision of traditional servo motors. This technology, initially developed for RoMeLa's practical robots, proved crucial for bringing Cosmo to life.

Humanoid Robots: Form and Function in a Human World

Hong's fascination with humanoid robots stems from a desire to see robots seamlessly integrate into human environments. He argues that for robots to perform everyday tasks in homes and workplaces designed for humans, a humanoid form is essential. He cites the example of stairs and doorknobs, designed for human proportions, as evidence for the practical need for humanoid robots.

"Why do we need humanoid robots?... What kind of task requires the human shape and size?… I claim that the robot needs to be human shape and size… because this environment… is designed for humans." - Dennis Hong

Beyond Humanoid: Exploring Novel Robotic Forms

While a proponent of humanoid robots, Hong's lab also explores unconventional designs. BALLU (Buoyancy-Assisted Lightweight Legged Unit), a robot with a helium balloon body and spindly legs, exemplifies this innovative approach. BALLU, while seemingly ridiculous, addresses key challenges of early humanoid robots: slowness, instability, cost, and complexity. Its unique design makes it inherently safe and remarkably inexpensive.

The Role of AI in the Future of Robotics

Hong highlights the growing role of AI in robotics, particularly in achieving autonomy. He contrasts the challenges of using AI with Artemis, RoMeLa's high-performance humanoid robot, with the successes achieved with BALLU. The lack of readily available motion data for training AI models hampered initial efforts with Artemis. However, BALLU's inherent stability allowed for continuous data collection, ultimately enabling AI-driven locomotion.

Robotics: A Technology for a Better Future

Hong’s vision for the future of robotics is one of optimism and excitement. He views robotics not just as intelligent machines performing tasks, but as a technology to empower humans, improve lives, and even bring joy. From disaster relief robots to entertaining characters like Cosmo, Hong’s work reflects a belief in the potential of robotics to create a better, happier future.