Virtual Observation Model (VOM)
A New Approach to AI-Driven Physical Automation
THE PROBLEM
Robotic automation has transformed industrial manufacturing, but its implementation remains expensive, time-consuming, and dependent on specialized engineering skills.
Conventional robotic systems require programmers and engineers to translate desired physical operations into machine-specific instructions, coordinated movements, and control sequences.
Even relatively simple applications can require substantial engineering effort, integration costs, and lengthy development schedules.
Modifying an existing operation often requires additional programming, testing, and technical support.
These barriers limit the economic feasibility of automation, particularly for smaller businesses and applications requiring frequent changes.
OUR TECHNOLOGY
XXIICENTURY LLC is developing Virtual Observation Model (VOM) technology, a new approach that enables artificial intelligence to create and communicate programs for physical machines through virtual representations of desired operations.
Instead of requiring users to manually develop complex machine-specific programs, VOM is designed to allow users to describe the desired physical task to AI.
AI then creates a virtual representation showing how the operation should be performed.
This representation can be viewed, evaluated, and modified by the user before being transferred to a robotic control system for physical execution.
The central concept is simple: AI shows the machine what needs to happen, rather than requiring the user to program every movement.
HUMAN CREATIVITY AND PHYSICAL AI
Much of today’s Physical AI development focuses on creating increasingly autonomous, general-purpose robots capable of performing a wide variety of physical tasks.
XXIICENTURY LLC is pursuing a different, complementary approach.
Rather than concentrating on developing an all-purpose robot, our objective is to provide people with AI-powered tools that enable them to create, visualize, modify, and execute physical operations using compatible robotic systems.
The person remains the creator. AI becomes the means of transforming human intentions into physical reality.
The user defines the desired operation, evaluates the AI-generated virtual representation, and makes changes as necessary.
AI assists in developing the program and directing its physical execution.
This approach preserves human creativity and decision-making while reducing the technical complexity traditionally associated with robotic automation.
Just as generative AI enables people to create digital images, videos, and software, VOM is intended to extend similar creative capabilities into the physical world.
Our vision is to make creating physical automation as accessible as creating digital content with AI.
HOW IT WORKS
VOM introduces a new approach to robotic programming and control by connecting human instructions, AI-generated virtual operations, and physical machine execution.
1. DESCRIBE THE TASK
The user communicates the desired physical operation to AI through natural-language instructions or other available inputs.
2. AI CREATES THE PROGRAM
AI generates a virtual representation of the desired operation, including the sequence of physical actions and associated control events.
3. REVIEW AND MODIFY
The user can observe the proposed operation, review its sequence, and request modifications before physical execution.
4. EXECUTE THE OPERATION
A compatible robotic control system interprets the virtual program and directs the physical machine to perform the desired operation.
5. OBSERVE AND ADAPT
During execution, the control system compares observations of the actual operation with the desired representation and makes appropriate corrections.
This approach is intended to reduce dependence on conventional robot programming and enable more flexible interaction between artificial intelligence and physical machines.
COMPATIBILITY WITH EXISTING ROBOTIC SYSTEMS
An important objective of VOM development is compatibility with existing robotic equipment.
The technology is not dependent on developing an entirely new type of robot.
Instead, VOM is intended to provide an alternative programming and control interface that can potentially be adapted to existing industrial robots, collaborative robots, and future robotic systems.
Compatibility with particular machines will depend on their available control interfaces and the results of engineering validation.
This approach creates an opportunity to introduce AI-driven automation without requiring replacement of existing robotic hardware.
THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Artificial intelligence has already demonstrated its ability to generate images, videos, software, and other digital content from relatively simple user instructions.
XXIICENTURY LLC is pursuing a similar transformation in the physical world.
Our vision is to enable AI-generated virtual operations to become practical programs for robotic systems, allowing people to create and modify physical automation without requiring extensive knowledge of conventional robot programming.
By reducing the cost, time, and specialized engineering skills required to implement automation, VOM technology has the potential to expand the market for robotics significantly.
An important part of this opportunity is the ability to introduce AI-assisted programming and control capabilities to existing robotic systems, as well as future generations of physical machines.
Potential applications include manufacturing, packaging, material handling, logistics, laboratories, retail operations, and small-business automation.
Beyond individual robotic installations, we envision the development of AI-based services that enable users to create, modify, and deploy physical automation programs, much as today’s generative AI services enable the creation of digital content.
Our objective is to make physical automation easier to create, easier to modify, and economically accessible to a much broader market.