Robot Whisperer: Skills & Data

What you'll do

You teach robots by doing things with your hands. Using handheld devices that record the motion, you carry out short manipulation tasks over and over: picking up objects, opening containers, simple household actions. Each attempt follows a step-by-step protocol exactly, because the data is only useful if every repetition is consistent.

Between attempts you reset the setup, check that the recording captured cleanly before moving on, and flag hardware faults, recording glitches or unclear instructions to the project lead. The work is physical and repetitive, and the ad is honest that consistency under repetition is the core skill.

Who fits

• Good fine motor skills and manual dexterity
• Follows detailed instructions reliably, the same way every time
• Keeps attention to detail through long repetitive stretches
• Clear written and spoken communication for reporting problems
• Backgrounds in technical, gig, warehouse or operations work, or gaming, are welcome; recent graduates are encouraged
• Curiosity about robotics or AI helps, but no formal background is needed

Location

The ad gives the location as Los Angeles, California, and describes hands-on work with physical devices and a testing environment you reset between attempts, so plan on being in LA. It does not say whether the work happens at a micro1 or customer site or at home; confirm before applying.

What it pays

$10–20/hour, micro1's published figure. Nothing is published about pay structure, hours, shifts or what moves you up the band. At the bottom of the range this is below Los Angeles minimum wage for employees; as a contractor that floor does not apply, which is worth weighing.

Worth knowing

Good:

• No experience or degree required; recent graduates are invited
• Direct contribution to robot learning, a fast-growing area
• New listing with 10 openings

Less good:

• $10 at the bottom is low for Los Angeles
• Repetitive physical work with little variety
• Hours, shifts, site and duration are not stated
• Contractor engagement: no benefits, your own tax to manage

About this listing

Posted by micro1 on its own jobs portal and read on 24 September 2026, a day after it went up. The original title is "Robot Whisperer" followed by "Skills & Data"; we replaced the dash with a colon. micro1 also lists a Robotics Data Trainer role doing similar gripper work on site in San Francisco. See micro1.