Micro1, a Palo Alto-based company, has recruited 4,000 workers globally to record hand movements using iPhone-mounted cameras, paying $15 per hour. This initiative aims to gather real-world motion data to train AI systems for humanoid robots, with workers submitting over 160,000 hours of footage monthly. The job requires an iPhone with a LiDAR sensor and involves recording various household tasks, with videos undergoing strict review processes.
Despite the competitive wage in regions like Nairobi and Manila, the work highlights significant information asymmetries. Workers are often unaware of how their data is used or resold, and they face challenges such as video rejections due to technical issues. The global humanoid robot market is projected to reach $4.23 billion in 2026, with data from these recordings playing a crucial role in training robots for future deployment in homes and factories.