automatica 2018 – Artificial intelligence Supports Humans

automatica

automatica 2018 – Artificial intelligence Supports Humans
 
Smart robots not only provide support with complex production processes in industry – they’re steadily taking over the service sector. Whether in logistics, medicine or customer service: Man and machine are increasingly working hand in hand. And slowly but shortly Artificial Intelligence is taking centre stage.
Original sound DLR:
“Whenever there’s human interaction involved, you always have to integrate a certain amount of intelligence. Whether you’re another human being, or a robot. That’s why AI is very important in robotics – and especially for human-robot interaction.”
The German Aerospace Center is researching the use of Artificial Intelligence in the health sector. The plan is for virtual reality to help patients overcome even phantom pain.
Original sound DLR
“Many patients – around 50% I think – can’t get used to wearing a prosthesis. And what we do is successfully train them to wear their prosthesis in virtual reality. It’s sort of a support on the way to using your own prosthesis.”
As the prosthesis moves, muscle tension on the surface of the skin is measured and these data are made visible to the patient in virtual reality, to facilitate the training.
“What’s very important are sensors, to measure what the patient wants to do. The data from these sensors are processed with machine learning and then converted into movements of the prosthesis in virtual reality. The patient moves, but he doesn’t really because he has no arm left – but he sees his arm move in virtual reality.”
The Technical University of Munich is also working on human interaction with its humanoid robot “Roboy”: today, using voice and image recognition, Roboy can already speak with people, advise them, and always learn something new.
“Do you enjoy having a conversation with me?
“Yes, sure.”
“Phew, I was a bit nervous there. But it turns out that I have no reason to worry.”
 
In the future, Roboy could give humans support with their own movements.
O-Ton TUM
“The knowledge being created with Roboy is interesting for everyone, because it allows us to build better prosthetics or better exoskeletons. That means that in 10 or 15 years, nobody will need to buy a wheelchair any more – we’ll have robots that can dress us, and help us to walk. And here, we’re making valuable contributions to that.
Artificial Intelligence could revolutionize human-robot collaboration in service robotics. At automatica in Munich – the leading trade fair for automation and robotics – exhibitors are presenting innovative solutions on robotic support to humans in the future.
“One aspect that makes this technology highly relevant for industry is the use of these muscle tendons to make the entire robot lighter – the poles are shifted to the inside. That way, we can build lightweight, safe robots that can interact with humans. So for human-robot collaboration in general, and for industry, this is an important first step in the right direction.”
“In our projects we keep on noticing that robots don’t replace humans, they work with them. Humans are good at certain things – we can understand things very well in abstract terms, and perceive them very well. Robots are strong and very precise. And when the two collaborate, you have the best of both worlds.”

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