- Toyota unveiled CUE7, an AI-powered humanoid robot excelling in basketball skills
- CUE7 is 7 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 74 kg
- It performs free throws autonomously using reinforcement learning
Toyota, the Japanese giant known for its cars worldwide, has unveiled CUE7, an AI-powered humanoid robot capable of dribbling, moving on the court, and sinking free throws with precision that rivals professional basketball players. Even Stephen Curry might hesitate in competing against this humanoid.
Standing 219 cm (7 feet 2 inches) tall and weighing just 74 kg, the CUE7 is the latest iteration of the robot. It is capable of retrieving a basketball, executing smooth dribbles, and successfully executing a free-throw shot without any human input. It made its debut at an Alvark Tokyo home game at the Toyota Arena in Tokyo.
Also Read: Ferrari Worth Rs 23 Crore Crashes Into Mercedes-Benz: Result Is Expensive
CUE7 represents a significant technological leap from its predecessor, CUE6, introduced in 2022. While CUE6 relied on AI for limited functions like modulating shooting power, most movements were pre-programmed by humans. In contrast, CUE7 employs "reinforcement learning," where artificial intelligence improves through repeated practice in simulated environments, allowing it to learn from mistakes and adjust its calculations in real time.
Also Read: Honda To Launch New Maruti Suzuki Brezza, Kia Sonet Rival In India
The robot features several design innovations. Engineers reduced its weight by nearly 40 percent, dropping from 120 kg to 74 kg. CUE7 now rolls on a single wheel on each foot using an inverted two-wheel structure, replacing the previous four-wheel base. This configuration provides smoother execution of complex maneuvers and reduces the likelihood of falling during rapid movements.
CUE7's vision system includes a stereo camera in its "head" for detecting the hoop and LiDAR units in its midsection for extremely accurate distance and depth readings. Its hybrid control system combines reinforcement learning with model predictive control, enabling the robot to assess angles, calculate the exact arc and force needed, and adapt to novel circumstances as they arise.
The CUE series, which began in 2017 as a voluntary employee initiative, has previously earned Guinness World Records for consecutive free throws and longest basketball shot by a humanoid robot. Toyota uses the CUE platform to test motion planning, precise control, and vision technologies for future applications in smart manufacturing and assistive robotics.