# Episode Thirty-One: Chris Atkeson

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2023-01-06
- Length: 36m
- Episode: 31
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson

## Summary

Professor Chris Atkeson from Carnegie Mellon University discusses the divergence between robot 'brains' and 'bodies,' arguing that large language models will solve the cognitive side while soft robotics must solve physical safety. He explains how his research on inflatable 'balloon robots' inspired the design of Baymax in Disney's Big Hero 6, prioritizing intrinsic safety through low mass and soft materials. Atkeson also explores the concept of 'human-aware environments,' where sensors are embedded in home infrastructure rather than just the robot itself, and discusses the ethical implications of data ownership and privacy in these systems.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=7) Introduction: Chris Atkeson and the Brain-Body Split
- [1:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=105) Robot Brains: LLMs and the End of Cognitive Research
- [4:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=258) Superhuman Bodies: Going Beyond Biological Constraints
- [6:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=365) Human-Aware Environments and Privacy Concerns
- [12:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=766) Big Hero 6 and the Inspiration for Baymax
- [14:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=880) Intrinsic Safety: Why Mass Kills and Balloons Work
- [18:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=1138) The Psychology of Lovable Robots and Neoteny
- [22:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=1361) Current State of Balloon Robots and Medical Applications
- [25:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=1530) Invisible Technology and Future Dream Designs
- [29:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson#t=1767) Large Language Models: Natural Speech vs. Truth

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Carnegie Mellon University (company)
- Baymax (product)
- Big Hero 6 (product)
- Disney (company)
- Facebook (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Google (company)
- Apple (company)
- Siri (product)
- Alexa (product)
- Asimo (product)
- Honda (company)
- Nerf (product)
- ChatGPT (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [65. Pizzaiolo Robot & Autonomous Wheelchairs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-04-12-65-pizzaiolo-robot-autonomous-wheelchairs) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [375: Hiding in Your Roomba](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-06-03-375-hiding-in-your-roomba) (Embedded.fm)
- [Inside 1x's plan to test humanoids in homes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-04-inside-1xs-plan-to-test-humanoids-in-homes) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [From Sci-Fi to Reality:  Physical AI's Future with Dr. Jan Liphardt](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-04-24-from-sci-fi-to-reality-physical-ais-future-with-dr-jan-liphardt) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [AI's Role in the Future of Robotics: Insights from 3Laws](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2026-02-27-ais-role-in-the-future-of-robotics-insights-from-3laws) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Robot Talk.