There is one thing that comes easily childrenbut the work is not able to cope with her. Lift eggsa glass or a waffle with ice is something natural for man. He knows what strength to choose so as not to destroy these items. – Robots are usually “mindless machines without feeling” – notes Aaron Parness, director of artificial intelligence in the Amazon robotics department.
A robot he feels. It could be a breakthrough
We take dexterity for granted. We learn a lot of things while playing in childhood, how to use hands, observing and turning objects, reaching for them. However, for robots it is a very difficult task. This level of physical intelligence -theness of vision, feeling and moving in a cluttered space with the help of a hand, without damaging any objects. Until now it was almost impossible
– adds Aaron Parness.
During the “Delivering The Future” event in Dortmund, in which we took part, however, the first robot was presented with the sense of touch. – Vulcan (because it was called that) transition in the development of robotics. Not only does he see the world, but he feels it, thanks to which he can perform activities that have remained out of reach of the machines until now – says Aaron Parness. – This is our first robot, which is distinguished by such manual efficiency. He can easily move or turn the object inside the compartment to make room for the next. He knows when he touches something and what he presses by force, so he can stop before he damages something – he adds.
A robot that easily reaches where a person can't
Amazon in its logistics centers stores goods in “cabinets” made of material divided into compartments with dimensions of about 30 by 30 cm, each of which holds an average of up to 10 products. Until now (as the American giant assures) “placing a new item in it or removing one of many was a challenge for robots who lack the natural dexterity of man.” During the event in Dortmund, however, we saw how The works efficiently and easily move objects on the shelves and place them in the appropriate compartments.
“We adapt the grip strength to the features of the object, and the built -in conveyor tapes enable smooth placement of the object in the container,” Aaron Parness said in Dortmund. This is possible thanks to the system using physical artificial intelligence.
Vulcan compares what he sees with all earlier data he has about objects to make sure everything will go well. If there is no certainty, he transfers the task to the employee
– supplements the artificial intelligence director in the Amazon robotics department. His AI model studied on physical data, taking into account the touch and pressure of pressure, analyzing thousands of real products. What's more, it constantly collects data on new products and is constantly developing. Currently supports approx. 75 percent products from the Amazon offer.
Robot who “sees” the surroundings. He will not fall on a man
What do the “hands” of such a robot look like? They look more like a ruler embedded in a hair straightener. It is equipped with sensors that inform with which power the work is pressing and holding the item. The robot arms adapt the grip strength to its shape and size. In turn, Vulcan uses a camera and a suction cup to remove items. “The camera analyzes the contents of the compartment and selects the appropriate product and the optimal place of grip. Then the system verifies whether the right goods have been taken, eliminating the risk of accidental removal of other items, “explains Amazon. Thanks to this technology, employees do not have to put off the items on the highest shelves, for which you had to use a ladder, or bent on the lowest ones.
“Feeling” by Vulcan robots also has another side. – once, if the robot encountered an unexpected obstacle, he usually stopped or tried to break her. He often didn't even know that he hit something because he couldn't feel it – says the expert. The latest technology, however, allows robots to sense that in the scope of their movements there is, for example, man, so they can work “side by side” with people.
Automatic packaging. This is how Amazon improved the key process
During the “Delivering The Future” event in Dortmund, one more robot was shown to improve Amazon's systems. This one has no name, but as the American giant assures, it is also groundbreaking. In a nutshell, a machine was created that Automatically creates tailor -made cardboard boxes and paper bags.
Just put the right product into it. The machine with the help of sensors measures its dimensions and automatically creates a perfectly matched boxreducing the amount of unnecessary material. It also automatically sticks by shipping labels, thanks to which the package is immediately ready to set off to the recipient. Originally, this machine used plastic, but due to the American giant put on ecological solutions – now it packs orders in paper. Amazon announced that he wants to install hundreds of automated machines in several European logistics centers, which will reduce the volume of packaging for millions of shipments. Among the listed countries, however, was not Polish.