Dog crate-sized robot factory trains itself by watching human demos

MicroFactory, a San Francisco-based startup founded in 2024, has developed a compact robotic system roughly the size of a dog crate that can perform a wide range of manual tasks typically done by human hands. The system features two robotic arms capable of precise operations such as circuit board assembly, soldering, cable routing, and even delicate actions like threading a needle. It is designed to automate repetitive manual labor and can assemble real products efficiently, with the company claiming it is more effective than humanoid robots due to its simpler, non-humanoid design optimized for both hardware and AI. The robotic system can be trained through AI or by human demonstration using an external robotic arm to physically guide the in-box arms through tasks. This teaching method enables the robot to replicate complex motions accurately and learn new tasks quickly. MicroFactory has also developed a user interface that breaks down tasks into smaller steps to facilitate training and operation. Since launching their prototype within five months, the company has received hundreds of preorders from customers