AI and robotics guide

How videos help in training humanoid robots

Understand the collection of videos for robotics, the role of human demonstrations and the limits between observing a task and performing it with a robot.

Educational content • Revised on September 29, 2026

Editor-in-chief: Daniel Olimpio Moreira · Independent guide with referral link.

What are videos of real tasks for?

Preparing a table involves recognizing objects, choosing a sequence and following the result of each movement. A recording of this task preserves part of this visual context. In research in artificial intelligence, human demonstrations can help to study actions, objects and sequences of activities. This explains the interest in everyday videos for research in robotics.

Data collection, model training and robot execution are different steps. Sending a video does not mean that a humanoid will immediately learn that task. It also does not allow identifying which laboratory or model will use the material. This information depends on the conditions of each project.

The path between recording and model

A preparation flow may include selection of sessions, quality review, organization by task, and annotation of events. An excerpt may, for example, receive a description of which object was moved and at what time. The form of annotation and the additional data required vary according to the research objective.

Then come training and evaluation experiments. Recognizing that a person has opened a drawer is different from calculating how a robotic hand should hold it. Sensor data, robot actions, simulation and physical tests can complement the images. It is not correct to present common video as a direct measurement of force or touch.

Human Demonstration and Robotic Experience

The Open X-Embodiment project brings together experiences from different robots to study skills transfer. It illustrates the importance of relating observations and actions, in addition to dealing with differences between machines. It is a research reference, not a proof of partnership with KGeN.

A person and a robot have different joints, range and sensors, so copying the visible movements does not solve the control problem alone. The value of a data set depends on the intended use, documentation and quality of the examples, and not just on the number of hours.

How to participate in the collection more clearly

Before recording, read the activity available in your account and confirm device, capture format, duration, permissions and approval criteria. Choose an authorized task that you can safely perform. An educational example of this guide is not equivalent to an open campaign or ensures video acceptance.

Separate recording, sending and reviewing time. Save the campaign instructions to consult any differences. If there is remuneration, check how approved hours and values are calculated before counting on this payment. This site offers guidance and referral links; the account and analysis of sessions stay on the external platform.

Can a video train a robot on its own?

An isolated recording may be a useful example, but it is not a complete solution of robotic learning. The result depends on the model, other data and evaluation. For those participating in the collection, the practical contribution is to deliver material faithful to the activity requested, with legible framing and respect for privacy.

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Before you start

Is recording a task the same as remotely operating a robot?

No. A first-person video captures a human demonstration. Teleoperation means controlling a robotic system and may require different equipment and training. Videos can contribute to research and development datasets; this does not mean a robot learns each task directly from a single session.

Read the FAQ and download the PDF guide →