Company backed by SoftBank says it has switched from artificial intelligence to cloud intelligence
A Chinese company called CloudMinds says it has created what it says is a “cloud intelligence ecosystem” for robotics.
CloudMinds specialises in the research, development and manufacturing of cloud intelligence-based applications.
It has several investors, including SoftBank Group, the Japanese multinational telecommunications and Internet firm.
SoftBank has completed a series A investment in CloudMinds and appointed CloudMinds CEO Bill Huang to the technical committee of its technology fund.
CloudMinds claims to be the world’s first CI-based robot operator, is committed to the exploration of how to move from artificial intelligence to CI.
Upgrading from AI to CI
The difference between AI and machine intelligence is that AI combines machines with human beings rather than treating them as wholly separate entities.
AI-based robots, to some extent, have the ability to think and to reason logically, as well as to deliver stronger computing capability than the human brain.
To cite an example, Google’s computer program AlphaGo defeated its human opponent, South Korean Go champion Lee Sedo, last year.
In addition to delivering superior computing capability in much the same way as AI-based robots do, CI-based robots have a rebuilt “cloud brain” which has the same neural network as human beings.
Additionally, a CI-based robot can accomplish more complicated and precise tasks based on instructions as a result of the separation between the “cloud brain” and the machine itself.
A researcher from CloudMinds says: “Human beings have always been working on how to automate day-to-day activities. This is reflected by their efforts to replace stoneware with knife tools and the horse-drawn buggy with the automobile. The next goal for automation is the robot.”
The greatest contribution by CloudMinds to innovation in robotics is enabling robot intelligence to be controlled by human beings.
This needs Hari – a framework that combines human intelligence with AI – and a platform for controlling CI robots.
The combination of the two platforms provides the most important distinction between CloudMinds and other robotics R&D firms.
With the development of cloud computing and 4G and 5G network technologies, it becomes viable to position the brain on the cloud and simulate the action of nerves transferring signals and data through networks.
“The differences between mechanical intelligence, AI and CI reflect qualitative changes rather than quantitative changes, as do the differences between buggies, automobiles and the transmission of electronic information,” says the CloudMinds researcher.
A pioneer’s vision of the future
CloudMinds is a pioneer in the area of cloud intelligence for three reasons.
- Firstly, it is the first to propose the concept of “cloud intelligence”, opening the door to the next step in artificial intelligence.
- Secondly, it has summarized the “cloud intelligence” concept as innovations in and integration of the cloud, networks and terminals.
- Thirdly, it has made many achievements in the application of cloud intelligence, including launching hardware such as the A1 and a guide helmet based on the cloud intelligent robot architecture.
CloudMinds’ vision is to create an industry chain and ecosystem that consists of the cloud, networks and terminals, to promote worldwide adoption of its products and to provide enterprise services, in a safer and more efficient cloud intelligent robot era.
