The Need: Why Do Robots Need a Digital Brain?
In the confines of factories and warehouses, robots move with millimetric precision, assembling products, packing goods, and optimizing logistics. But how do they learn to do this? The answer lies in artificial intelligence, which has become the digital brain of these industrial automatons.
The Project: KUKA and Swisslog in the Pursuit of Robotic Perfection
KUKA, a leader in industrial robotics, and Swisslog, its subsidiary specializing in intralogistics, have joined forces to solve a puzzle: how to program robots efficiently and ensure they don’t confuse shampoo with shower gel? A challenge that might seem trivial but has significant implications for industrial automation.
The Solution: The Brainy Chatbot
Imagine a chatbot that speaks the language of robots. KUKA is developing just that. Their AI chatbot translates simple voice commands into programming code for the robots. From “grab the components one by one and place them in a U shape on the table” to a sequence of executable instructions. For now, all this happens in a simulated environment, as directly transferring the code to the robot controller remains risky.
The Training: Feeding the Digital Brain
The chatbot is fed with data: thousands of robot programs written in KUKA‘s proprietary language. But here’s the surprise: more training doesn’t always mean improvement. The quality of the data is crucial. Finding the right balance is essential to prevent the chatbot from becoming confused or inaccurate. Artificial intelligence is not an infinite sponge of knowledge; it is selective and astute.
The Improvements: From Simulation to the Real World
The first version of the chatbot was presented at HANNOVER MESSE 2024. But the journey doesn’t end there. KUKA plans to deliver the chatbot to its customers to gather real-world experiences. Additionally, Swisslog has developed its own AI model that distinguishes products and avoids errors in selection. Thus, robots become more precise and efficient, and companies can offer impeccable service to their customers.
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