Wired: world models may transform robots and autonomous cars
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Wired describes world models as systems that receive images, recreate environments in 3D and simulate physics, cause and effect. According to Oliver Cameron, CEO of the lab Odyssey, they predict the world’s next visual state; Brian McClendon, chief technology officer at Niantic Spatial, says millions of simulations could train robots in specific spaces without physical movement. Wayve, meanwhile, uses car-camera footage to recreate hazardous roads and conditions that are difficult to test in real life.
The technology is also being explored in video games, with investment from Tencent, and may gain ground in home robots and autonomous cars—Wired identifies 2027 as a possible important year for that expansion. Development requires real-world data: the report says workers are already recording household tasks on video to sell through apps, generally for low payments.
Why it matters · editorial interpretation
If these simulations prove effective, they could reduce the need to test robots and autonomous cars in difficult or dangerous physical situations. At the same time, Wired’s report indicates that development relies on data collected by workers, often for low pay, adding a labor dimension to the technology.