Workers Wear GoPros to Train Factory Robots
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In Karur, India, textile workers now wear GoPro cameras while packing aprons, a practice aimed at teaching AI robots to replicate their motions. The initiative, led by Texworth, has been rolled out across several factories, with workers like Shoba Kirubakaran recording every hand gesture without prior explanation.
While some employees receive hourly pay for the footage, many, including Kirubakaran, are not informed about the data’s purpose, raising concerns about labor exploitation. Experts warn that deploying AI robots at scale in India faces high costs and unreliable power supplies, limiting near‑term impact.
Nonetheless, the trend reflects a broader push to gather egocentric data from real workers, a strategy that could reshape manufacturing but also threatens existing jobs. The practice has sparked public debate, with news anchors and outlets warning that Indian workers are training AI robots to take their jobs, highlighting the ethical and economic implications of this emerging
Timeline
- 2023-04 — Video of workers wearing headsets goes viral, sparking national debate
- On October 14 2026 NPR reports on GoPro initiative in Karur textile factory.
- On October 14 2026 Workers like Kirubakaran record hand gestures without explanation.
Sources
JQJO Editorial Desk · Human reviewed · AI assisted. Report a correction.


































