Startup Films Cleaners to Train Robots in NYC Apartment

The New York Times reported that the startup Shift recorded cleaners and a chef inside a Manhattan apartment to train AI-powered robots. The staff worked without pay in exchange for the data collection.

Shift's method relies on human workers performing real tasks rather than simulated lab exercises. The article described the filming as a step toward commercial home-helper robots.

The report offers a glimpse into how startups are scaling robot training without costly lab setups. It also highlights the growing commercial interest in household robotics, a sector that includes publicly traded firms developing similar technology.

The New York Times piece is part of a series on the future of work and automation.