The x402 protocol, as a major narrative in AI agent payments, has become a highly sought-after commodity.
While others are still researching AI agents automatically swiping cards to purchase API services, @openmind_agi has already planned to enable androids powered by NVIDIA Jetson Thor chips to autonomously navigate the real world while completing real-time payments via the x402 protocol.
Why is this noteworthy?
OpenMind, a leading project in the robotics field, has secured over $20 million in investment from Pantera Capital, Coinbase Venture, and Amber Group, focusing on building decentralized intelligent infrastructure for robots.
It's worth noting that its BrainPack system, powered by the NVIDIA Jetson Thor chip, provides next-generation autonomy for humanoid and quadrupedal robots, enabling them to navigate, recognize scenes, and handle complex tasks in real-world urban environments.
With this deep collaboration with Circle, OpenMind has one goal: to enable robots to complete hundreds or thousands of instant, reliable, cross-chain payments per second while performing physical tasks.
Looking at their GitHub design, they have indeed made some improvements and adjustments to the x402 protocol: for example, they strengthened payment security mechanisms to prevent robots from encountering payment fraud while performing tasks, ensuring fund confirmation within 2 seconds; they also introduced a batch processing solution, using Gateway off-chain technology to allow robots to execute millions of micro-payments without waiting for blockchain confirmation each time, with final unified settlement.
Of course, before the widespread adoption of x402 in virtual AI Agent applications, real-world robots already possess such convenient payment capabilities. Imagine: a delivery robot performing tasks on the street, purchasing map navigation APIs, weather data, and traffic information services in real time; an inspection robot autonomously paying for cloud computing power to process visual recognition; multiple robots automatically settling collaborative service fees through the x402 protocol...
Compared to the technical difficulty of virtual AI Agent payments, this undoubtedly adds another level of challenge. Payments between virtual agents can tolerate some delay, but robots performing physical tasks must be "instant, reliable, and high-frequency."
Importantly, OpenMind's exploration of the x402 payment protocol was publicly mentioned by the CEO of Circle. This also represents a certain level of support from Nvidia, coupled with the fact that their partner, Unitree Robotics, is preparing for an IPO at the end of the year. We'll then have a clearer understanding of the value the x402 payment protocol will bring to the robotics field.
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