AI-based cognitive robotics: changing the way we work

Standardizing the way robotics communicate with each other is key to unlocking differentiation in the robotics industry according to Bernd Heinrichs, Chief Growth Officer at NEURA Robotics. Robots typically have the same hardware components and are deployed for similar purposes. It is no surprise that companies are struggling to differentiate their offerings, Heinrichs forewarned.

The value-added service of enhanced safety is a key differentiator in the industry enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). These technologies arm robots with the cognitive capabilities for a better user experience. The mantra for robots should be serving humanity and acting as intelligent assistants for humans, Heinrichs pointed out.

Intelligent robotics are in fact designed to amplify humanity “everywhere and anytime,” he continued. They are enabling us to undertake the activities we enjoy. We have moved from robotics being purely deployed in the automation space to playing a more collaborative role in our homes. Not only can they perform time-consuming tasks in many industrial sectors, such as warehousing, farming, and hospitals, self-learning robots can also become a staple within the smart homes of tomorrow.

But the reason we do not see these robots in our everyday lives is due to safety challenges that still need to be overcome. Robots lack precise detection, are not affordable, not connected to Wi-Fi, and often cannot recognize. This is due to the lack of built-in intelligence and no integrated senses that prevent them from being collaborative, Heinrichs added.

“They cannot see, listen, or feel. That needs to change. We need to ensure they have touchless safe human detection capabilities. Robots need to replicate a human being and be perceptive,” Heinrichs advised.

There are many “cobots” that can be implemented into operations. However, they are far from being truly collaborative and autonomous, said Heinrichs. While robots should not collide with each other or humans when driving around fulfilment centers, “AI, human detection, 3D voice recognition and vision will help them understand voice commands. You can run robots like we run a network, routing decisions can be made in a real-world environment.”

With various robots, including third-party, in operation and communicating, there is lots of data exchange and collection across the supporting network. A standardized, common protocol that acts as a “super brain” for a community of cognitive robots is essential in creating safe, secure, swarm-like intelligence for fleet management. Influenced by AI and ML, the network or “super brain” will instruct and enable robots to learn and predict human actions and make more intuitive decisions. This will lead to greater safety for humans, Heinrichs stated.

Not only this but robots require high performance hardware, such as smart sensors, advanced motion software, and safety architecture, all supported by high-bandwidth and low-latency. All of these factors will deliver peer-to-peer robot connectivity and communication. Built-in intelligence will deliver the real-time, high precision interaction necessary.

“Cognitive robotics are changing the way we work, live, and play. There is global concern that they are replacing humans. But this is not the case, they will make our lives easier,” Heinrichs said. “AI and ML will help robots learn continuously and we need to integrate the right ingredients from the beginning.”