Spectacular Robotics
The Majestic
Today most robots are programmable machines that can assist humans or mimic human actions. Robots were originally built to handle monotonous tasks (like building cars on an assembly line), but have since expanded well beyond their initial uses to perform tasks like assisting with incredibly intricate surgeries. Each robot has a differing level of autonomy, ranging from human-controlled bots that carry out tasks that a human has full control over to fully-autonomous bots that perform tasks without any external influences.
Robot Dexterity refers to the functionality of limbs, appendages and extremities, as well as the general range of motor skill and physical capability of a body. In robotics, dexterity is maximized where there is a balance between sophisticated hardware and high-level programming that incorporates environmental sensing capability.
Anthropomorphic robotic hands that can perform delicate tasks such as opening jars or writing can be used in many circumstances where it is too dangerous for a human to use their own limbs, such as in extreme environments or when handling harmful substances and materials. Reinforcement Learning, which is a form of machine learning, has driven forward robot dexterity. The algorithms help the machine understand which techniques are more effective in manipulating a certain object or achieving a specific task, similarly to what happens with muscle memory in animals. The results are outstanding dexterous robots that are nearly able to emulate the level of precision of true human hands.
In the past most robots were used for assembling automobiles. These robots consist mainly of mechanical arms tasked with welding or screwing on certain parts of a car. Currently, robots have evolved to assist in almost every facet of manufacturing.
While the overall world of robotics has expanded, robots have some common characteristics:
- Robots all consist of some sort of mechanical construction. The mechanical aspect of a robot helps it complete tasks in the environment for which it’s designed.
- Robots need electrical components that control and power the machinery. Essentially, an electric current often provided by a battery is needed to power a large majority of robots.
- Robots contain at least some level of computer programming. Without a set of code telling it what to do, a robot would just be another piece of simple machinery. Inserting a program into a robot gives it the ability to know when and how to carry out a task.
With the application of Artificial Intelligence – Machine-Learning (AI-ML) robots are getting smarter, more flexible and use less energy. AI-ML are now incorporated in almost all robots. It has become the main focus for smart manufacturing and global supply chains.
Human intelligence is derived from the elaborate and interconnected network of neurons within the human brain. These neurons form electrical connections with one another, but it remains unclear how exactly they collectively cultivate brain activity like thoughts and reasoning. Nevertheless, innovations in the realms of computation and data mining enable the development of artificially intelligent systems that reflect human intellectual capability.
Robots still lack a true “emotional intelligence.” However, the ability of modern AI to recognize human emotion may be beneficial. AI seems to to show the first signs of an early empathy. This is seen in the form of an enhanced ability to recognize human facial expressions, vocal intonation, and body language, and tune their reactions accordingly.
Much still needs to be done before truly human-robot interactions become more genuine. A particularly coveted frontier of machine perceptivity. Robotics engineers are focusing on the ability to recognize human emotions from facial expressions. It will be a few years before it is fully employed in robotics.
The company is extensive involved with industrial, medical, military and other robots, It has committed a large amount of resources to robot R&D, design, AI-ML, androids, deployment and maintenance. AI-ML is used to enable the robot to perform its tasks with minimum outside aid. The IIoT business segment relies substantially upon robots for manufacturing and processes. End-to-end industrial automation solutions make your machines smarter, faster, more flexible. Robots are more reliable so that you can maximize productivity. The projects that are most frequency engaged require specialized expertise in sensing and control automation. This results in the projects focused on unique manufacturing challenges.
Medical Robots
Robots in medicine help by relieving medical personnel from routine tasks, that take their time away from more pressing responsibilities, and by making medical procedures safer and less costly for patients. They can also perform accurate surgery in tiny places and transport dangerous substances. Some of the different type of medical robots include:
- Surgical Robots - These robots either allow surgical operations to be carried out with better precision than an unaided human surgeon or allow remote where a human surgeon is not physically present with the patient.
- Rehabilitation Robots - facilitate and support the lives of infirm, elderly people, or those with dysfunction of body parts affecting movement. These robots are also used for rehabilitation and related procedures, such as training and therapy.
- Biorobots designed to imitate the cognition of humans and animals.
- Telepresence robots allow off-site medical professionals to move, look around, communicate, and participate from remote location.
- Pharmacy robotic automation systems to dispense oral solids in a retail pharmacy setting or preparing sterile IV admixtures in a hospital pharmacy setting.
- Companion robots engage emotionally with users keeping them company and alerting if there is a problem with their health.
- Disinfection robots are used to disinfect a whole room.
Designing and building medical robots is amazing and are some of the most beneficial projects that the company has engaged.
Fundamental Robot Design
The company's robotics engineers start by understanding the need of their employers, and then they determine the specifications of the application they need to design. They estimate the costs, create prototypes and study the efficiency of their creation.
Some tasks our robotics engineers routinely perform include:
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Configuring, testing and building robots
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Preparing and reviewing calculations to develop cost proposals
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Writing quality control reports
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Designing automated robotic systems to increase productivity and precision
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Designing software systems that manage the robotic systems they create
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Continually analyzing and improving the robotic systems to stay up to date with current technology
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Serving as technical support for their robotic creations
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Researching the design, operation and performance of robotic mechanism components or systems
Androids
Humanoid robots, which are often referred to as Androids, are beginning to appear often. It is astonishing how much like a human these humanoid robots appear. They can carry on conversations and their actions make them to appear similar to humans. Japan robot companies are creating some the most advanced humanoid. Sophia is a well known example of a humanoid robot with AI, but its technology is years behind Japanese robotic. The USA in many years behind social robotic engineering, because the government only willing to sponsor military robot applications.
Just an illusion
Making the inhuman more human
With the proliferation of female robots such as Sophia and the popularity of female virtual assistants such as Siri (Apple), Alexa (Amazon) and Cortana (Microsoft), artificial intelligence seems to have a gender issue. This gender imbalance in AI is a pervasive trend that has drawn sharp criticism in the media, because it could reinforce stereotypes about women being objects.
Femininity injected in artificial intelligent objects, because women tend to be more objectified in AI than men. It is not just because they are perceived as the perfect assistant, but also because people attribute more humanness to women (versus men) in the first place.
Because women are perceived as warmer and more likely to experience emotions than men, female gendering of AI objects contributes to humanizing them. Warmth and experience (but not competence) are indeed seen as fundamental qualities to be a full human but are lacking in machines.
Drawing on theories from dehumanization and objectification, it was found across five studies with a total sample of more than 3,000 participants that:
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Women are perceived as more human than men, overall and compared to non-human entities (animals and machines).
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Female bots are endowed with more positive human qualities than male bots, and they are perceived as more human than male bots, compared to both animals and machines.
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The inferred humanness of female bots increases perceived uniqueness of treatment from them in a health context, leading to more favorable attitudes toward AI solutions.
What a wonderful world
Industrial Robots
Industrial robotics will continue to become more popular year after year and into the future. They are making waves in a variety of industries, and in particular, the automotive industry. Furthermore, they increase productivity, make workplaces safer, and take over monotonous jobs. This way, humans can focus on jobs that require more skill. Even though initial costs are high, industrial robotics has shown that a lot of money can be saved as a result, and for years into the future.
Better algorithms and stronger processors are allowing robots to become more efficient. This is resulting in many grueling, tedious, dangerous, and monotonous human jobs being replaced by robotic machines.
Industrial robots create many benefits, including producing consistent quality results. A robot that paints, for example, can paint evenly, without any drips or spills. Robots make human jobs easier by taking over repetitive tasks. They also reduce mistakes and waste, reduce the risk of human injury, and improve productivity. Despite high initial costs, industrial robotics do deliver a great return on investment (ROI). When they are consistent and programmed properly, they reduce waste and boost overall product quality. Industrial robots can work for hours on end and perform the same tasks for years.
Do You Know You Are My Sunshine - Statler Brothers
Happy Together - T.G. Sheppard
Industrial Robot Design Types
While there are many different types of industrial robotics, there are a few main types that are used by many different manufacturers.
Cartesian robots are also known as linear robots. Using the Cartesian Coordinate system, these robots work on 3 linear axes, which means they move in straight lines on 3 different axes.
They are popular because they are flexible in terms of what they can do. Their speed, stroke length, precision, size, and stroke length can all be adjusted. They are often used for 3D printing and CNC machines.
One of most useful manufacturing robot is an articulated robot. Their configuration and mechanical movements closely resemble human arms.
Most have 4 to 6 axes, with each additional one allowing for a greater degree of motion. Typically, articulated robots perform arc welding, material handling, packaging, machine tending, and assembly.
SCARA robots function on 3 axes and also have rotary motion capability. They are typically used for assembly, palletizing, and bio-med application.
Cylindrical robots always have a rotary joint at the base and then a prismatic joint to connect the links. They are often used in tight work spaces for machine tending, simple assembly, and coating applications because of their compact design.
Delta robots or parallel robots have 3 arms that are connected to a single base. They work in a dome shape, and they can move precisely and delicately at high speeds because of the joint of the end effector being directly controlled by all 3 arms. They’re typically used for quick pick and then place applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and electronic industries.
Polar robots are one of the first industrial robots ever to be developed. They’re spherical robots. And they are commonly used for injection molding, welding, die casting, and material handling.
Collaborative robots can safely interact with humans in a shared workspace. There are many different brands and types. They’re typically used for palletizing, pick and place, quality inspection, and machine tending.
Military Robots
There are many military applications for robots. They are designed to carry out missions with or without soldiers. The rapid development robot military applications will continue to increase and become more integrated into the US, European, Russian, Chinese and Japanese military organizations. Some well known persons believe that with AI-ML integrated into military robots, they will become more like Terminators from the SciFi movies. This is doubtful, because robots will need humans as much as humans will rely upon robots. AI-ML relies upon human behavior to create the algorithms it uses.
For The Good Times - Ray Price
The idea of using robots in war is not a radically new one and various militaries around the world have begun the widespread adoption of robots along front lines. Today, we have drones that are piloted remotely and are capable of taking out targets. There is also heavy on-going research to make the drones more autonomous, thus reducing the requirement on humans. There are also legged robots in development that can aid and assist soldiers in moving their equipment and luggage from place to place, and is resilient to various land texture and features.
In the past battlefields were specific, strategically chosen locations. With the exception of ambushes, wars of the past have a sense of locality about them. On the contrary, today’s armed forces no longer have that luxury. The battle can easily start in tropical jungles, move towards an urban attack on a city and might end with an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) attack from space. While definitely a frightening scenario, the truth is that battle lines no longer exist and conflicts may erupt at any place and time.
That's What I like About You - Trisha Yearwood
In order to deal with such scenarios, the armed forces of countries all around the world are always on the highest alert, on the lookout for a missile launch or for troop movements. Furthermore, all these various possible scenarios require a lot of training for the soldiers before they can be sent to war. The training period lasts from at least a couple of months to several years, depending on a variety of factors. Additionally, an enormous financial budget is required for the training of all these soldiers, as well as for maintaining their alertness and battle readiness. However, what if technology were to play a more mainstream role in direct combat? That seems to be the general direction that armed forces all around the world seem to be heading towards.
Wagner- Ride of the Valkyries
Although billions of dollars each year are spent on military robotics research, there are still few mass produced military robots being used in the real world. Avant-Garde-Technologies is actively engaged in R&D for advance military robots.
2001 A Space Odyssey
