Category Archives: Robotics

Thanks to decades of sci-fi movies, it's easy to think of robots as human replacements: Metal arms, hinged legs and electronic eyes will do that. But the future of robots may center on extending and boosting us, not so much replacing us. While that concept isn't entirely new, it came more sharply into focus recently when I visited Toyota Research Institute's headquarters in Los Altos, California. That's where robots amplifying humans is the mission.

Don't be fooled by the humanoid layout of many robots. Their real value may be in amplifying more than replacing us. Toyota Research Institute's Max Bajracharya shows CNET's Brian Cooley one of its development robots.

"People here are passionate about making robots truly useful," says Max Bajracharya, VP of robotics at TRI and veteran of Google's robotics unit, Boston Dynamics and NASA's Mars rover team. Today he develops robots in mock-ups of home kitchens and grocery store aisles. "How can we really help people in their day-to-day lives?" TRI isn't charged with getting robots on the market but with figuring out the problems preventing that from happening.

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One tangible example is a soft touch sensing gripper developed at TRI that allows a robot to handle delicate things the way we do, with a progressive, nuanced sense of pressure and recognition.

The softer side of robots: TRI has developed soft touch robot "hands" that can not only handle things elegantly but also identify them.

These soft grippers are like padded hooves with cameras on the inside that can figure out the perfect amount of force needed to grip something and can also help identify an object, essentially by touch. "Replicating our body is incredibly complex if you think about how many sensors we have" in our skin and the superlative "wetware" processor in our skull that makes sense of them all, according to Bajracharya.

This work in soft touch is about more than just grabbing and holding. AI and smartphone pioneer Jeff Hawkins subscribes to a theorythat much of how we understand the world is achieved by comparing "memory frames" of how we've moved through it, either via literal touch or through virtual contact with concepts like liberty and love. That kind of learning about the world seems to have strong echoes in TRI's work.

TRI has also given its robots the ability to understand clear or reflective surfaces, something anyone with a cat knows can be remarkably hard. Transparencies and reflections can confuse a robot into thinking something is or isn't there when the opposite is true. From grocery aisles full of clear containers to homes full of mirrors, the places where this breakthrough can advance robotic relevance are numerous.

Recognizing a transparent object as actually being there is a sensing task that humans take for granted and one that robots are tricked by.

But the bigger goal remains a symphony of people and robots. "What you don't see today is humans and robots really interfacing together, which really limits how much robots can amplify humans' ability," says Bajracharya. That's where TRI turns AI on its head with something they call IA, or Intelligence Amplification. Simply put, it views robots as leveraging humans' superior intelligence and multiplying it with a robot's superior abilities in strength, precision, persistence and repeatability. Toyota has been focused on enhancing human mobility sincea major announcement in 2017 by CEO Akiyo Toyoda at an event in Athens that I helped moderate.

All of this brings up the relatability of robots: I've long felt that they will need to be as relatable as they are capable to achieve maximum adoption, since humans can't help but anthropomorphize them. That doesn't mean being as adorably useless as Kuri, which took CES by storm in 2017 before vanishing 18 months later, but it does mean establishing some kind of relationship. "Some people actually prefer a robot because it's not a person," says Bajracharya, speaking of robots in home or health care settings. "But some people are very concerned about this machine in their environment" due to fear of the unknown or concerns that it will displace human workers.

The history of robotics is still only at its preface. But nuanced skills that amplify humans' savvy about the world while robots take over some of what dilutes our time and effort appear to be a formula for the next chapter.

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Toyota gives robots a soft touch and better vision to amplify our intelligence - CNET

Can tiny, worm-like robots revolutionize the way surgeons work? How will human-robot interactions be improved? Can AI and robotics create self-driving cars that make winter driving safer?

These are just some of the questions that interdisciplinary teams of professors and students at the University of Toronto are answering through their work with the University of Toronto Robotics Institute, one of U of Ts Institutional Strategic Initiatives.

In episode three of the Groundbreakers video series, U of T Mississauga Associate Professor Jessica Burgner-Kahrs and grad student Hannah Zhang talk with host Ainka Jess about surgical robots, while Associate Professor Steve Waslander of UTIAS and grad student Chude Qian discuss autonomous vehicles.

I really like interdisciplinary work where we're drawing ideas from different fields, collaborating with amazing researchers across U of T, Zhang says. In this way of thinking about research and problem-solving, we can really find some unique solutions that can impact continuum robotics and have downstream effects for whatever applications they end up [addressing].

I really want to be in this space.

Groundbreakers is a multimedia series thatincludes articles atU of T Newsand features research leaders involved with U of TsInstitutional Strategic Initiatives, whose work will transform lives.

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The Future is Robotic: U of T Groundbreakers EP3 - News@UofT

Summary

Lavanya Balasubramanian did her MSc in Robotics from Sheffield University and currently works as a project assistant (Robotics), ASTUTE 2020, at Swansea University

Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Electronics are some of the fields from which its possible to shift to Robotics

Women in STEM Scholarship offered by British Council can be helpful for women willing to explore their opportunities in the STEM field

An alumna of Sheffield University, Lavanya Balasubramanian knows what it takes to be part of a future where advanced, sustainable technologies involving robots would revolutionise work in different industries.

In a Zoom chat with Edugraph, Lavanya shared her experience of transitioning from Electronics and Communications to Robotics during her postgraduate studies overseas and her work as a project assistant at Swansea University.

Edugraph: What sparked your interest in Robotics?

Lavanya: I have been fascinated by robots since I was a kid. Back then, I didnt know much about the discipline. Its only at the end of my BTech in Electronics and Communication Engineering that I developed an interest in Robotics, primarily because of its application in a variety of sectors. Thats when I decided to pursue Robotics.

Would you like to tell us something about your academic journey from India to the UK?

Lavanya: I studied at CSI Jessie Moses School in Chennai and after that went on to pursue a BTech course in Electronics and Communication Engineering from SRM University Ramapuram. Then my interest in Robotics propelled me to the UK. I did my masters course in Robotics from Sheffield University and am currently working at Swansea University.

Why did you choose Sheffield for your master's course?

Lavanya: When I first decided to do my postgraduation in the UK, I approached a lot of people to learn more about the opportunities available. Everybody told me that Sheffield University was an amazing place for students. Another reason to choose the university was its highest quality of research. I felt my opportunities would increase if I learned the subject from the best teachers and used the best research facilities.

You arrived at Sheffield University through a Woman in STEM Scholarship offered by the British Council. Can you tell us more about this scholarship and who can apply for it?

Lavanya: As part of its 70th anniversary in India, the British Council in 2018 sponsored the tuition fees of 100 girls who got an offer from UK Universities for Masters in STEM courses. I was one of those girls who got nominated for the scholarship, which enabled me to study in the UK.

I would say that women willing to expand their opportunities in the STEM field can apply for this scholarship to broaden their horizons and avail more opportunities abroad.

What did you work on during your time at the Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Lab?

Lavanya: I worked on a small flexible implantable robot during my masters project. The aim was to fix it inside a patients body to treat a disease called esophageal atresia, a birth defect in a babys esophagus a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. I was working on the fault-tolerant control of the robot.

The route to Robotics depends on what you want to do at the end of the day. You could be someone who designs the hardware side of things or someone who is good in programming and coding.

- Lavanya Balasubramanian

Can you tell us something about Medical Robotics and opportunities in that field?

Lavanya: I won the Best Paper Award in Medical Robotics at the International Conference of Robotics and Automation (ICRA) 2020. I wrote the paper during my masters project where I was part of the Sheffield Biomedical Robotics Group. Medical Robotics is already a thriving sector and quite a few companies focus on Medical and Surgical Robotics in the UK. A lot of design and development roles are available in this sector.

Do you want to work in this field in the future?

Lavanya: My focus is now on Industrial Robotics and Sustainable Manufacturing. This will give me insights into the inner workings of the industry with which I might step into the Medical Robotics field at a future point of time.

How did you transition to your first job? What is your current work about?

Lavanya: My masters course had a module on industrial training, which is all about practical experience. It helped me realise what a job in my field would look like. It also helped me get my current job and made the transition easier.

I am currently working at ASTUTE 2020 at Swansea University as a project assistant. We work with Welsh manufacturing companies to resolve their technical challenges through research and innovation. This involves being integrated in projects that require more than just an off-the-shelf solution.

Is there a standard route for young students to enter the field of Robotics?

Lavanya: I dont think there is a standard route because my classmates had come from different departments. Some of them were Mechanical Engineering students, while others studied Computer Science or Electronics. The route to Robotics depends on what you want to do at the end of the day.

Coming from an Electronics background, it had been a smooth transition for me it wasnt a huge jump from what I had studied to what I was going to do in the Robotics course.

What areas in Robotics can they look at? Are there any specific skills needed to make a mark in this field?

Lavanya: Some really good opportunities are coming up in this field. I was interested in Medical Robotics and Agricultural Robotics. There are universities with dedicated research centres that specialise in specific areas and studying in those places would help you move forward. For instance, Sheffield Universitys Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is a fantastic facility. These research centres work on Robotics-related industrial work.

I wouldnt say that you need a specific set of skills to make a mark in this field. The primary thing is to be passionate about the subject. Of course, youll have to complement your passion for Robotics with some essential skills. You could be someone who designs the hardware side of things or someone who is good in programming and coding. Everything depends on what you are interested in.

What would be your advice to young students interested in Robotics?

Lavanya: I would suggest young students to consider their future course of action based on their passion and skills. You need to balance these two essential things to overcome the daily challenges that you might face in your job. As long as youre interested in optimising your resources and adapting to different opportunities, youre set to enjoy a brilliant career.

Last updated on 17 Dec 2021

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Sheffield University alumna on how a mix of passion and skills is needed in Robotics - Telegraph India

Its that time of year when we typically want to and can dole out some positivity. In other words, the thumbs point upward. But as we go along, well think long and hard about any contenders for a thumbs down.

Well toss out a blanket thumbs up to all the municipalities for once again hosting Christmas parades. Most of those were sidelined last Christmas by that virus that was supposed to have completely disappeared by Easter 2020. In fact, lots of holiday activities got booted because of COVID-19. So its great to see so many activities returning. So many, in fact, that there is no way we can enumerate them all so well simply give a thumbs up to any and all that have taken place or soon will take place.

A robotic thumbs up goes out to Due West Robotics. At nearly 10 years young, the organization has grown into quite a success story serving curious theyre not nerdy, by the way Lakelands youths all the way from Kindergarten up to 12th grade. Competition robotics is fun and a great teaching tool that surely will result in some of our own kids making names for themselves whatever career they pursue.

And a thumbs up to the crew for being so successful that it needed and took the opportunity to acquire some property Due Wests old Carver School site to have its own home for creating competition-level robots. Now, if we can just get one of the teams to build a robot that can report and write ...

Last, and certainly not at all least, we extend a thumbs up to this years Greenwood County Hall of Fame inductees, hosted by the Greenwood SC Chamber of Commerce.

Jim Pfeiffer, who in only a matter of days will bid adieu to his duties and the storm COVID-19 brought to his desk at Self Regional Healthcare, did not deem himself worthy of joining the Hall of Fame, but he didnt get a vote in the process, now did he?

It was wholly appropriate too that former city manager and county council member Steve Brown was also inducted Tuesday. But it was also sad that his was a posthumous honor. His passing in August was a tremendous loss to the county.

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Our View: On holiday festivities, robots and honorees - Index-Journal

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2021 was a big year for robotics. Nine months into the year, the industry saw record numbers of orders, and growth in non-automotive industries. From autonomous vehicles to delivery robots to acquisitions and shutdowns, the year was filled with big developments.

Here are the top 20 most popular stories onThe Robot Report in 2021. Subscribe to The Robot Report Newsletter to stay updated on the robotics stories you need to know about.

The Robot Report tracked 38 robotics investments worth more than $4.8 billion in April 2021. This is quite the rebound from the same time last year when, amidst the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, robotics companies raised about $600 million. This marks a 700-plus percent increase in robotics investments year-over-year. There also were eight mergers and acquisitions and one IPO in April 2021. Read Story

Clearpath Robotics and Open Robotics announced TurtleBot 4, the next generation of the popular open-source mobile robotics platform. TurtleBot 4 aims to build on the success of previous versions by providing a low-cost, fully extensible, ROS-enabled reference platform for robotics researchers, developers and educators. The mobile base of TurtleBot 4 is built on the iRobot Create 3 educational robot, which provides an IMU, optical floor tracking sensor and wheel encoders for accurate positioning and localization. It also includes a suite of sensors including IR, cliff, bump and slip detection, along with a 26Wh Li-ion battery. Read Story

Bob Balaram, the chief engineer of the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, was featured on NASAs Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast. The Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which rode along with the Mars Perseverance Rover, was the first aircraft to attempt controlled flight on another planet and is a marvel of engineering. Balaram described what it took to develop the helicopter and what to expect during the experimental flights. Read Story

DeepMind, an AI research lab and subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., acquired the MuJoCo physics engine for robotics research and development. DeepMind is currently working to open-source MuJoCo and make it free for everyone in 2022. When open-sourcing the system is complete, the GitHub repository will become the new home for MuJoco. Customers with existing paid licenses for MuJoCo can go to roboti.us for continued support. Read Story

Softbank Robotics Europe, the group behind two of the more recognizable robots, laid off 40% of its workforce. On July 7, the developer of the famous Nao and Pepper robots reduced its Paris-based workforce that had 330 employees as of March 2021. The Robot Report confirmed this news, which was first reported by French media outlet Le Journal du Net. Softbank Robotics Europe lost $38 million in its fiscal 2019-2020 year and more than $119 million over the last three years, according to Le Journal du Net. Read Story

Fetch Robotics, a San Jose, Calif.-based developer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for logistics, has been acquired by Lincolnshire, Ill.-basedZebra Technologies for $290 million. The acquisition closed in August. Zebra Technologies already owned 5% of Fetch Robotics through an earlier investment. Zebra is acquiring the other 95% of Fetch Robotics. According to the announcement, Fetch Robotics is generating annualized run-rate sales of approximately $10 million. Prior to this acquisition, Fetch Robotics, which was founded in 2014, had raised about $94 million. Read Story

Bear Flag Roboticsraised $7.9 million in seed funding in January 2021. That funding quickly became chump change. The Calif.-based developer of autonomous driving technology for tractors was acquired by John Deere for $250 million. John Deere said in a statement that the deal accelerates the development of farm automation. Founded in 2017, Bear Flag Robotics retrofits its autonomy stack onto existing tractors. It uses cameras, LiDAR and radar technology for redundant, 360-degree situational awareness on a farm. Read Story

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) released a study called The State of Industrial Robotics: Emerging Technologies, Challenges, and Key Research Directions that described challenges of adopting and using industrial robotics. It also made recommendations about how to move the industry forward. The report identified challenges such as a lack of standards and inflexibility. It recommended the industry move towards better balance of speed and safety and improvements to enabling technologies. Read Story

Californias Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) released its annual Disengagement Report, which breaks down the number of times a human driver takes over control of an autonomous driving system being tested on the states public roads. The DMV released reports for 29 companies for the period from December 2019 to November 2020. Waymo (29,944.69) and Cruise (28,520.34) are the leaders in the clubhouse when it comes to the number of miles driven between disengagements. Chinas AutoX (20,367) is a distant third. This is the sixth straight year in which Waymo increased its number of miles driven between disengagements. Read Story

Intelissued anend-of-life (EOL) notice (PDF) for the RealSense LiDAR, tracking and facial authentication products. This is, of course, part of Intels plan to wind down its RealSense business. Intel discontinued a number of products, including the Intel RealSense LiDAR Camera L515 and the Intel RealSense ID Camera F455. The last dates these products can be ordered, according to Intel, will be Feb. 28, 2022. The last date any of them will be shipped is March 31, 2022. Read Story

Ambi Robotics, formerly known as Ambidextrous Laboratories, raised $6.1 million in seed funding for its picking robots and operating system that are based on simulation-to-reality artificial intelligence (AI). Co-founded by the great Ken Goldberg, a professor at UC Berkeley, Ambi Robotics said it is exiting stealth mode, although its work on improving robotic grasping hasnt been a secret in years. Ambi Robotics has two flagship products, the AmbiSort and the AmbiKit. In September, Ambi Robotics raised $26 million in Series A funding. Read Story

Over the past decade, the perception industry has exploded with new companies, new technologies, and the deployments of millions of sensors in industries ranging from the traditional (automobiles) to the cutting-edge (space travel). While incumbents have locked up majority market shares in some segments, other segments have seen the rise of dominant new players that have become suppliers to some of the worlds largest companies. Read Story

DoorDashintroducedDoorDash Labs, its robotics and automation division thats been operating since 2018. DoorDash has tested last-mile delivery with a number of robotics companies since 2017, including Cruise, Marble and Starship Technologies. However, none of those solutions seem to have stuck for DoorDash. The food delivery giant appears to be developing its own autonomous delivery robots. DoorDash hasnt publicly revealed any details about its delivery robots, but it has filed several relevant patents. Read Story

In the last five months of 2020, five LiDAR companies Aeva, Innoviz, Luminar, Ouster, Velodyne went public or announced they soon would via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). There are pros and cons of going public via SPAC, as we detail here, and a key figure in the autonomous vehicle industry doesnt think the trend will end well for LiDAR makers.Read Story

Using robots to unload freight on receiving docks isnt a novel idea. A quickYouTube search will return a slew of results. But many of these previous approaches have been stifled by high costs and the inability to handle a growing variety of packages. Boston Dynamics is throwing its innovative hat into the ring. It revealed its newest robot, Stretch, a mobile manipulator designed to move boxes out of trucks and around warehouses. Read Story

Nuro, a2020 RBR50 Innovation Award winner, launched autonomous pizza delivery in Houston with Dominos. Select customers who place an online order on certain days and times from the Dominos in Woodland Heights can have their food delivered by Nuros R2 robot. Customers who are selected for delivery via the Nuro R2 will receive text alerts updating them on R2s location and provide them with a unique PIN to retrieve their order. Customers may also track the vehicle via GPS on their order confirmation page. When the Nuro R2 arrives, customers will be prompted to enter their PIN on the vehicles touchscreen. Read Story

According toOpenAIcofounderWojciech Zaremba, the company recently disbanded its robotics team. The company will continue to invest in other areas where there is adequate data for training. In Zarembas eyes, work in this area might continue once there are powerful enough video models to support the training data sets necessary for building a viable model. Read Story

What does it take for a robot to run, flip, vault, and leap like an athlete? Creating these high-energy demonstrations is a fun challenge, but Boston Dynamics technical goals go beyond just creating a flashy performance. On the Atlas project, it uses parkour as an experimental theme to study problems related to rapid behavior creation, dynamic locomotion, and connections between perception and control that allow the robot to adapt quite literally on the fly. Read Story

You might not know it, but chances are youve seen some of Joel Johnsons work. Better known asYouTuber JJRicks, he is the most prolific documenter of Waymo One Level 4 robotaxis in Chandler, Arizona and probably the most frequent passenger. But the Waymo robotaxi ride he took on May 3 is one hell never forget. The Waymo robotaxi needs to make a right turn onto a multi-lane main road, but the far right lane was closed off by orange construction cones. And, boy, did they confuse the vehicle. Read Story

Abundant Robotics, a Hayward, Calif.-based agricultural robotics company founded in 2016, has shut down. According to a memo about Abundants liquidation obtained byThe Robot Report, the company was unable to develop the market traction necessary to support its business during the pandemic. On June 29, 2021, Abundant put up for sale all of its intellectual property and assets. Abundant said it has a host of IP, including a large body of vacuum manipulation patents (and patent applications), a patented sensory system to allow the vacuum to navigate obstruction, a patented world-class vision system for identifying fruits and their quality and several software patents for the machines automated operations, including a solution to solve for doubles that enables the machine to pick multiple fruit at once. Read Story

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20 most popular robotics stories of 2021 - Robot Report

Quectel Wireless Solutions, a supplier of IOT modules and antennas, and Point One Navigation, a provider in precision location technology, have announced the LG69T-AM, the latest addition to the LG69T GNSS Module Series. Point Ones positioning engine powers the LG69T-AM and enables centimeter-level global accuracy by integrating augmented GNSS in a module with open-source API.

The LG69T-AM GNSS module features STMicroelectronics TeseoV dual band L1/L5 positioning receiver platform with 80 tracking and four fast acquisition channels compatible with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS and NAVIC. The LG69T-AM leverages Point Ones RTK and SSR technology for centimeter-level accuracy and ultra-fast convergence time. It is designed for easy integration with minimal e-BOM modification and is well-suited for mass market adoption without the need for an expensive external co-processor. Due to its small package size, light weight, and excellent power consumption, it is ideal for applications such as robotics and precision agriculture.

Embedded in the LG69T-AM is Point Ones FusionEngine and its Polaris correction service client. FusionEngine is compatible with standards-based corrections services including those based on RTCM. Polaris is Point Ones own GNSS correction service that unlocks better than 10cm absolute accuracy with a coast-to-coast footprint in the United States and coverage across Europe. It offers a variety of connectivity options including delivery over cellular and L-band. The network is purpose-built for precision agriculture customers and includes advanced anti-jam, interference mitigation, end to end security and automatic integrity monitoring unmatched by any other provider.

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Quectel and Point One Navigation Bring Precise Location to Robotics and Agriculture Markets - GPS World magazine

Enterprise warehouses have struggled to keep pace with the massive increase in online shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic, but warehouse automation robotics could help.

"Robots and other emerging technologies help make supply chains more agile and resilient by increasing the accuracy and timeliness of product information," said Melanie Nuce, senior vice president of innovation and partnerships at standards organization GS1 US.

Enterprises have faced various problems in the wake of the pandemic, including labor shortages, production shutdowns and delayed transit times. These challenges will continue to affect business performance going into 2022.

More intelligent warehouse robots fill a void between automated material handling systems and more flexible manual fulfillment processes. Various types of warehouse automation robotics augment human activities like picking items, moving shelves, packing pallets and inventorying tall shelves.

Enterprises have traditionally inquired about better warehouse management software. However, robots have become the No. 1 call topic since the pandemic, according to Dwight Klappich, vice president analyst at Gartner, who has 42 years' of industry experience with warehouse technology.

He is also seeing a significant shift in the reasons for adopting automation technology. Managers have historically focused on using automation to reduce headcount. Now, enterprises are struggling to keep enough people on their teams, while the cost of labor is going up simultaneously. "Even with the higher cost, they are still not able to find enough people, and that is why they are looking at robotics," Klappich said.

This interest is driven by a new breed of warehouse robotics designed to augment operations and collaborate with humans. Industrial robots have been around for decades but were often limited in their capabilities and cordoned off to protect people and equipment. Emerging warehouse robots use AI to navigate a facility, pick items and orchestrate collaboration with people.

Types of enterprise warehouse robotics systems include:

Robotic warehouse automation is currently a small portion of overall warehouse automation spending, but it is growing rapidly. Advisory firm Interact Analysis predicts the mobile robotics market could grow from approximately $3.6 billion in 2021 to $18 billion in 2025. The number of warehouse facilities with mobile robots is also projected to expand from 9,000 in 2020 to 53,000 in 2025. In addition, Interact Analysis forecasts a total of 2.1 million robots in service by the end of 2025 with 860,000 of these shipped during that year alone.

Interact Analysis includes mobile robots as a component of the broader warehouse automation market, which it expects to grow from $49.6 billion in 2020 to $69 billion in 2025. Fixed automation systems such as automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), conveyor belts and sorters will eclipse other forms of automation for the foreseeable future.

AS/RS is a more capital-intensive approach to optimizing a facility for space and efficiency. In some AS/RS examples, mobile robots might travel on dedicated tracks to retrieve goods from totes stored across multiple floors. This can be more efficient but costly to set up. Instead, a simpler robot could be used to operate in a specific, tightly controlled environment.

Florian Pestoni, CEO of cloud-based robot management platform InOrbit, is seeing the greatest adoption in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that either follow a person as they collect items or move goods from one location to another.

Gabriel Aguiar Noury, robotics product manager at Canonical, the publisher of Ubuntu, observed robots are getting better at moving and manipulating goods -- two fundamental activities in a warehouse. Some of the simpler robots are essentially pallets on wheels. In more automated environments, these goods can be automatically moved within and between baskets.

Robots are also getting better at manipulating goods at scale. Health and safety regulations only allow a human to move a maximum of 50 pounds, and people become tired at the end of a long shift. "Robots can easily lift more [weight] and [do it] faster, keeping the flow of goods moving throughout the warehouse," Noury said. "Truck unloading is one of the most challenging jobs in a warehouse, and the use of robots can also limit injuries and health hazards."

Pestoni believes the top benefit of warehouse robotics for the supply chain lies in automating the manual movement of goods, especially when little critical thinking is required. He expects warehouses and retailers to start exploring ways to automate other aspects of the supply chain, such as autonomous trucking for long-haul trips. Companies are also exploring ways to automate the delivery leg of the supply chain. For example, instant logistics firm Zipline is developing drones that bring medical supplies to remote hospitals. And small AMRs and autonomous vehicles are starting to automate the trip from a fulfillment center to a customer's home.

Warehouse automation robotics could also improve supply chain visibility by automating inventory processes. Historically, most warehouses were not designed to be easily navigable, but inventory robots use computer vision, deep learning and standardized product identification to tackle this challenge. "Companies like Ware and Gather AI use computer vision and deep learning to scan warehouse shelves with speed and accuracy that human employees cannot rival," Nuce said.

Historically, most warehouses were not designed to be easily navigable, but inventory robots use computer vision, deep learning and standardized product identification to tackle this challenge.

Accurate stock and location data can make the difference between winning and losing a customer. The broader adoption of new inventory data standards could facilitate data exchange across trading partners. "The more information all trading partners can [have] about the products moving through the supply chains, the better they can anticipate demand, avoid disruptions and deliver the right products to the right place at the right time," Nuce explained.

The growth of warehouse robotics could also make it easier to deploy AI software for order slotting, said Zach Gomez, senior director of global logistics at Realtime Robotics. Slotting refers to the location where items are stored. In the traditional approach, similar products are stored near each other but not always shipped together.

"Recently, the software has used AI to analyze past order data and store items closer to items that are traditionally shipped together to reduce travel time and increase efficiency," Gomez said. For example, a grocery store fulfillment center might stage potato chips next to soft drinks as they are commonly sold together.

Warehouse robots are improving thanks to innovations in sensors, machine vision, AI, computing power and new hardware. These technologies have paved the way for increased awareness, enhanced problem-solving abilities and physics simulations that help robots learn faster. "With these innovations come the modern-day tools we're seeing in warehouses every day such as depalletizing robots, autonomous mobile robots and AS/RS," said Thomas Evans, CTO at Honeywell Robotics.

Older warehouse robots, called automated guided vehicles (AGV), followed fixed routes through a warehouse or facility by sensing wires buried in the ground or looking for unique markers. But these systems had limitations; they would stop and wait for any obstacle that blocked their designated paths to be cleared. AMRs, on the other hand, combine advanced sensors, AI coprocessors and machine vision algorithms to bring more flexibility to warehouse robotics.

With the addition of AI and continuous learning, AMRs can react in real time and adopt workflows to efficiently navigate diverse levels of demand and operational changes. "As such, there has been an explosion of AMR adoption in warehouses to tackle the challenges of ecommerce and scarce labor," said Matthew Cherewka, director of business development and strategy at Vecna Robotics.

AI can also improve the guidance systems for autonomous inventory drones. Skydio, which makes autonomous drones, has been working with Ware AI to help organizations incorporate autonomous inventory capabilities into their workflows. Skydio CEO Adam Bry said his team uses advanced computer vision and AI techniques to build real-time 3D maps of complex environments, plan collision-free paths around obstacles and automate complex tasks.

Some enterprises are even finding ways to teach the goods to move themselves. For example, Seoul Robotics worked with a vehicle manufacturer in Europe on the infrastructure to drive completed cars into a parking facility. The system uses Lidar sensors and centralized AI navigation systems embedded in the factory to control vehicles that may lack advanced sensors or self-driving capabilities.

This technology reduces the cost per vehicle and helped teams redesign the factory to be more efficient. "Navigating vehicles around a manufacturing facility is costly, challenging and prone to human error," said Jerone Floor, vice president of products and solutions at Seoul Robotics. AI-enabled warehouse orchestration engines can also improve coordination between robots and humans. Experts like Vecna Robotics' Cherewka believe this has become increasingly important when facing new global supply chain challenges and growing consumer demands.

Down the road, improvements in warehouse automation robotics will improve the creation and management of autonomous retail systems, such as automated replenishment and checkout-free experiences. "Warehouse automation will not only respond to current in-store conditions but also start to anticipate needs such as approaching expiration dates," Nuce said.

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How warehouse automation robotics transformed the supply chain - TechTarget

With all the obstacles being thrown restaurants way lately, operators across the country are searching for ways to improve and optimize operations. Labor challenges, for example, are significantly impacting restaurants efficiency and their ability to serve customers. Recent data from the National Restaurant Association showed that four in five restaurants are understaffed, including 81 percent of full-service operations and 75 percent of limited-service operations.

This and other challenges, such as the increased demand for off-premises, are leading to an increasing number of operators turning to robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) sooner than they expected. What was anticipated to be a gradual shift over the next decade has instead been accelerated, with the COVID-19 pandemic as the catalyst. The industry has recognized that most, if not all, processes within a restaurant can be automated, which is why robotics and AI are alleviating many of the day-to-day headaches these issues have exacerbated.

Here are a few of the ways robotics and AI provide solutions to the problems that restaurants are facing today.

The Customer Experience Rules All

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increased demand for off-premises dining, now more than ever customers are expecting a flawless dining experience. When adding AI and robots to a restaurant, many processes are immediately simplifiedeven when understaffedto ensure customers have that perfect experience.

One example is using technology to prepare dishes with accurate proportions, minimizingif not eliminatingthe probability of errors. One such tech solution is Picnic, a modular and configurable pizza assembly system commercially available in the market today that has been adopted by many restaurants to save time and money. Instead of having multiple staff members working the assembly line, the Picnic system uses the given restaurants existing menu to make up to 100 consistent pizzas per hour with a single, unassisted operator. Not only does this make running the kitchen easy, but now staff can focus on the quality of the food, brand identity, and, of course, providing a top-tier customer experience.

Time Is Money

Another immediate benefit of robots is the automation of repetitive, back-of-house tasks. A single robot can be used to complete a plethora of tasks such as cleaning silverware and cooking utensils along with keeping the kitchen area neat. This significantly reduces operating costs as robots can complete multiple tasks efficiently, while also working longer hours.

With robots being a part of the restaurant staff, operators dont need to hire as many employees to cover different shifts throughout the day. Operators also dont have to worry about fluctuating hourly wages when they use robots. After the initial investment, they stay at the same operating cost for years.

Miso, for example, incorporates robotics with AI, machine learning, analytics, and computer vision to provide impactful kitchen insights that help operators automate certain kitchen tasks, like frying and dispensing beverages, to run more efficient kitchens and free up employees time to dedicate to other responsibilities.

Accuracy Is Key

Agot.AI is a tech company that uses overhead cameras in restaurant kitchens and computer vision to analyze if staff are preparing orders correctly. Order accuracy has a huge impact on whether or not a customer because a repeat visitor. In 2021, fast food orders were accurate only 84 percent of the timedown from 2020according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Its no wonder that Agot.AI just closed a $10 million seed funding round.

Lets fast forward a bit and think of a restaurant that relies on robots more than human labor. When it comes to customer service, robots can offer guidance as it pertains to navigating the experience, all while cooking and serving the food that is ordered and processing guests payments. It completely transforms what guests are used to when they go out to eat.

The acceleration of robots and AI in the restaurant industry was inescapable, and this type of technology will be critical in moving the restaurant industry forward. However, operators should keep in mind that customers will still seek human-to-human interaction when diningas weve seen recently with the evolution of QR codes as customers returned to on-premises diningso there will be a need to find a healthy balance between tech and humans.

Michael Schatzberg is co-founder and managing partner of Branded Strategic Hospitality, a New York City-based firm that invests in emerging technology in the restaurant and hospitality industries. Brandeds portfolio includes 27 companies, including Ovation, Chowly, TapRm, PourMyBeer, Minnow, and Bbot. To learn more about Branded, visit http://www.brandedstrategic.com.

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How Restaurants are Using Robotics and AI to Relieve Operational Headaches - QSR magazine

Nancy Marek was trekking through the forest, propane torch in hand, searching for invasive plants to remove when the thought occurred to her: Theres got to be another way to do this.

Invasive plants are a perennial problem in Connecticut. These plants can overtake an area, preventing native flora from thriving. This is a serious problem for the entire ecosystem since native plants provide food, shelter, and other benefits to native animals.

Marek, a Ph.D. student in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, is a certified forester. During an internship with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Marek went into the woods with a torch and burned invasive plants. The only other widely used removal tactic is applying chemical herbicides. Both methods pose a risk to surrounding flora and fauna, and the chemicals from the herbicides can have long-lasting negative impacts.

Additionally, these removal missions are dangerous for foresters. Invasive species like Japanese barberry provide an ideal habitat for ticks carrying diseases such as Lyme Disease.

Mareks personal experience inspired her to develop a next-generation approach to invasive plant removal that uses drones, robots, and artificial intelligence.

I wanted to create a way to be safe in the background while managing a robot that can remove invasive plant species, says Marek, who is earning her doctorate in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment.

Marek named the project BirdHabitatBot. The name of the project emphasizes the importance of protecting native plants that provide habitats for birds, something Marek, an avid bird watcher, cares about deeply.

One particularly important habitat for birds is young forests, those between zero and 10-15 years of growth. These forests are commonly threatened by invasive plants.

If you ever come across a young forest, its alive with the chitter-chatter of songbirds, Marek says.

Mareks project focuses on the two most detrimental invasive plants for Connecticut forests: Japanese barberry and multiflora rose.

Previous research has shown that there is a two-week window during which these plants leaf out and can be easily seen from aerial views. During this window, Marek used a drone to collect imagery. She then used deep learning to accurately identify Japanese barberry and multiflora rose in the deciduous forest understory, the layer of vegetation that grows between the ground cover and canopy. Her focus was on future applications in forestry with drones, deep learning techniques, and robotics. The National Science Foundation awarded her company a one-year grant to develop a robot prototype.

This is a novel approach to invasive plant removal.

Ive not seen anyone else working on this, Marek says. So thats scary and exciting.

I dont think that cutting the invasives will be the problem, Marek says. The issue will be getting from one location to the next and not getting the robot destroyed in the process.

Marek received support to commercialize this technology through Accelerate UConn. The program helped Marek understand how to communicate her vision to potential investors.

Accelerate UConn was a godsend in that regard, Marek says. To help me understand its not just the idea, you have to sell your idea to others.

BirdHabitatBot is a promising solution to a serious ecological concern in the state.

You cant fix all the problems, Marek says. But if this is one problem I can at least make a dent in, that would be glorious.

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Seeing Beneath the Trees: Using Robots and AI to Control Understory Invasive Plants - UConn Today - UConn Today

Some of the many motions the new robotic hand is capable of making. Gif: U. Kim et al., 2021/Gizmodo

Engineers in Korea have developed a highly dexterous robotic hand thats capable of crushing beer cans or gently clutching an egg.

Out of the 206 bones in the human body, 54 bones are in the hands, corresponding to a quarter of the total number of bones, declares the opening paragraph of new research published today in Nature Communications. Not to mention the muscle structure that drives these bones, which is also extremely complex, as the paper, co-authored by Uikyum Kim from Ajou University in Korea, points out.

Indeed, the human hand is an extraordinary evolutionary accomplishment, which makes the new robotic hand, named ILDA (integrated linkage-driven dexterous anthropomorphic), all the more impressive. Its 20 joints allow for an impressive 15 degrees of freedom, and its fingertips can exert 34 Newtons, or 7.6 pounds, of force. At a maximum length of 8.6 inches and a weight of 2.43 pounds, the hand is both compact and lightweight. In tests, the hand successfully crushed cans, held eggs, and even used scissors to cut paper.

A cool advantage of ILDA is that itll be easier to combine with many existing commercial robot arms. For roboticists, this has posed a challenge because the actuators used for moving robotic hands, and also some electrical components, are often attached in the form of a fairly large forearm, as Kim explained in an email.

A key innovation of the new robotic hand is that all components are integrated within the hand itself. It has no external parts or modules, such as a forearm, so ILDA can be mounted easily onto pre-existing commercial robot arms.

A new linkage-driven mechanism, which Kim described as the core technology of this research, distinguishes it from other robotic hands. This mechanism, which has never been used before in robotics research, allows each finger to have three degrees of freedom, similar to the three-jointed fingers of humans, Kim said. It is difficult to independently implement the movement of the medial joint [located near the knuckle] and the movement of the intermediate joint [the middle joint], Kim explained. The new mechanism overcomes this problem, he said.

In a set of experiments, ILDA exhibited a wide range of capabilities, crushing cans, pressing buttons, using tweezers to handle tiny objects, squeezing small balls, and even using scissors to cut paper. It is interesting that, while being a dexterous robotic hand with a high degree of freedom, it can generate a strong grip force that can lift even a heavy object weighing 18 kg [40 pounds], said Kim.

The device could eventually be used as a prosthetic hand, but Kim says it could also be used as an industrial robot owing to its adaptable design, high performance, and low manufacturing cost. Looking ahead, Kim and his colleagues hope to imbue ILDA with tactile sensing, greater flexibility, and possibly even artificial skin.

More: Grasping Robotic Drone Can Land on a Branch Like a Freakin Bird.

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Lifelike Robotic Hand Is a Bit Too Close to Terminator for Our Liking - Gizmodo