An Open-Source Robot?

The Tiangong robot's greatest potential is in its ability to supercharge a grassroots movement of robotics design and use... all without corporations getting in the way.

The world of robotics could become more accessible, thanks to the apparent open-source release of Tiangong, a full-size purely electric robot. Moves like this have the potential to democratize access to robotics technology, paving the way for local makerspaces, libraries, anarchists, and solarpunk groups to one day collaborate and bring innovation to their communities.

Note: I'd like to make it clear that this article is speculative. The schematics and software for Tiangong are not readily available online at this time, and I have not yet had a response from GlobalTimes regarding a request for clarification as to their sources. Still, the points I make here remain valid: we need public robotics, and we need it now.

You've probably seen Optimus, the sleek Tesla robot that's been making social media waves. But did you know there's an open-source robot out there that could change the way ordinary people think of robotics?

Tiangong, a Chinese robot design platform, has plans to go open-source. By doing so, they could bring the dream of home-use robots that much closer to reality.

Tiangong is a highly advanced robot that combines visual perception sensors, 3D vision sensors, and high-precision IMU to tackle motion control challenges

But what's so special about open-source, anyway? Well, with a robot like Optimus, the technology is proprietary – Tesla owns it. We've all heard the stories of Tesla's delivering themselves to repo companies, right? So, imagine how terrible it would be to have a Tesla robot recording whatever you do in your own home. But what if you were the only person who could access your robot?

Help me understand open-source, Odin!

Simply: open source is where the code and plans are made publicly available to use by anyone. This has the benefit of creating a more robust and secure platform, as anyone can test for security concerns or bugs.

The open-source model is often not adopted by private companies because it limits their ability to make a profit from the software. By keeping it proprietary, they don't have to worry about someone coming along and using their code to create a better product. Ironically, though, many companies use open-source software as a baseline for their for-profit goods and services! Without open-source, the world of tech would look very different.

Imagine putting in an order for a robot from your local co-op and getting it built to your specs

Developed by the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center, Tiangong is a highly advanced robot that combines visual perception sensors, 3D vision sensors, and high-precision IMU to tackle motion control challenges. With its human-like motion control capabilities, Tiangong can move its head, arms, and legs in various ways, allowing it to navigate complex environments. In fact, these robots have already seen use within warehouses and as patrollers for electrical plants!

China's been banking on next-gen technology to help it become the dominant force in the world's markets, and this is a clear sign that its efforts are paying off. By open-sourcing the technology, it could be possible to fast-track robotic design (both within China and beyond). With the release of software and structural design documents, as well as plans to release additional intellectual property, a new wave of innovation and collaboration in the robotics sector could be imminent.

But the most exciting thing about this for me is how it could fast-track non-corporate technological growth.

Through its plans for open-source robotics technology, Tiangong offers a unique opportunity for local makerspaces, libraries, anarchists, and solarpunk groups to come together and create innovative projects that could transform their communities. Rather than purchasing your robot from Tesla, imagine putting in an order for a robot from your local co-op and getting it built to your specs, with your personal needs baked into its software and design.

The idea here is that normal folks like you and I should have access to advanced technology without having to give corporate middlemen our hard-earned cash (let alone intimate access into our lives). All corporate projects rely on public money and innovations somewhere along the chain anyway, so it's about time we cut them out of the deal altogether. Projects like Tiangong could be the start of just that.

👋 Hi there! I’m Odin Halvorson, a librarian 📚, independent scholar 📖, film fanatic 🎬, fiction author 📝, and tech enthusiast 💻. If you like my work and want to support me, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to my newsletter for as little as $2.50 a month! 📣

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