A new study from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) demonstrates that large language models (LLMs) can be used to automate and significantly accelerate the process of robot design. The research team developed a system where a user provides a high-level text description of a desired robot’s function, and an LLM iteratively generates and refines the robot’s physical structure and control code. This approach bypasses traditional, time-consuming manual design and simulation cycles. In experiments, the system successfully designed functional robots for simple tasks, such as moving forward, using minimal materials. The work highlights the potential for generative AI to transform fields like robotics, though the researchers note current limitations in designing for complex real-world environments. Read the full article at: https://technologyreview.com/2024/05/13/1099602/ai-designs-robots-from-scratch-in-seconds/