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Robots that rethink: A SMU project on self-adaptive embodied AI - C C - Nov 29, 2025
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Robots that rethink: A SMU project on self-adaptive embodied AI
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1107553
INTRO: It might not be ubiquitous just yet but embodied artificial intelligence is slowly but surely cementing its place in the world. Robotic systems equipped with sensors and cameras help with everything from factory assembly to surgery, while autonomous, self-driving cars and drones are science fiction no more.
Despite these advances though, there is a limit to what embodied AI can do in unpredictable, everyday environments like homes or offices. Say, a robotic arm may be programmed within perimeters to make a cup of coffee. But hide the cup in a nearby cupboard and the task breaks down.
It is “simple but frustrating” observations like these that sparked one of SMU Assistant Professor of Computer Science Zhu Bin’s latest projects, which won an Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 grant from the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE).
“In the area of embodied AI, robots could execute a fixed script perfectly. But the moment something changed, like a cup being misplaced, even the most advanced robot may fail [since it’s not in the coded script],” he told the Office of Research Governance & Administration (ORGA). “[Filling] that gap between static intelligence and adaptive reasoning inspired this project.”
The award-winning research Self-Adaptive Planning with Environmental Awareness for Embodied Agents lays the foundation for the next generation of adaptive embodied systems, the computer science expert said, referring to AI “that can reason about why and how to act, not just what to do.”
This could then be applied successfully to elder care to help with complex, multi-stepped tasks such as meal preparation, medication reminders, and light household chores. Or in healthcare, where they could be put more effectively to work as rehabilitation or therapy companions to track a patient’s movements and adapting exercises based on fatigue or recovery progress.
This is particularly salient in Singapore where elder care and healthcare are “critical” concerns due to its ageing population, the research notes. It adds that such innovations can help drive “socially responsible advancements while contributing to Singapore’s vision of becoming a global leader in AI and smart technologies.”
“In practical terms, the potential applications are broad and socially meaningful,” Professor Zhu said.
The project is led by Professor Zhu and involves Assistant Professor Kotaro Hara, also of the School of Computing and Information Systems, SMU, as well as Franklin Li Mingzhe, a doctoral candidate, and Associate Professor Patrick Carrington, both of the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University in the US.
At its core, the project tackles three key problems in embodied AI’s current form, Professor Zhu explained.
Firstly, many current systems rely too heavily on large language models (LLMs) trained on general world knowledge, which can lead to “unrealistic or irrelevant plans”. Examples of LLMs include AI-powered applications such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek that are designed to understand and produce human-like text.
Secondly, the research notes, embodied AI, as it is, lacks awareness of environmental changes, and is hence unable to track surrounding changes, even small ones. Lastly, it is inflexible and incapable of adapting to elements that are out of place vis-à-vis its coded blueprint... (MORE - details)
RE: Robots that rethink: A SMU project on self-adaptive embodied AI - Syne - Nov 29, 2025
So embodied AI currently lack object permanence?
They better have really cute laughs for the endless games of peekaboo.
RE: Robots that rethink: A SMU project on self-adaptive embodied AI - Zinjanthropos - Nov 29, 2025
(Today 02:23 AM)Syne Wrote: So embodied AI currently lack object permanence?
They better have really cute laughs for the endless games of peekaboo.
Never ever say “F**k Me!” to your manservant robot. Always exceptions I know and also you might have to send out a search party if you ask Promo to “Go get me a drink”. Anyone for a hotdog?