
Two off-the-shelf robots were used to demonstrate how robots can pick up each other’s signals for assistance, and even set aside their own tasks in order to lend a “hand”.
Sometimes all it takes to get help from someone is to wave at them, or point. Now the same is true for robots. Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden have completed work on an EU project aimed at enabling robots to cooperate with one another on complex jobs, by using body language.
Dimos Dimarogonas, an associate professor at KTH and project coordinator for RECONFIG, says the research project has developed protocols that enable robots to ask for help from each other and to recognize when other robots need assistance — and change their plans accordingly.
“Robots can stop what they’re doing and go over to assist another robot which has asked for help,” Dimarogonas says. “This will mean flexible and dynamic robots that act much more like humans — robots capable of constantly facing new choices and that are competent enough to make decisions.”
As autonomous machines take on more responsibilities, they are bound to encounter tasks that are too big for a single robot. Shared work could include lending an extra hand to lift and carry something, or holding an object in place, but Dimarogonas says the concept can be scaled up to include any number of functions in a home, a factory or other kinds of workplaces.
The project was completed in May 2016, with project partners at Aalto University in Finland, the National Technical University of Athens in Greece, and the École Centrale Paris in France.
In a series of filmed presentations, the researchers demonstrate the newfound abilities of several off-the-shelf autonomous machines, including NAO robots. One video shows a robot pointing out an object to another robot, conveying the message that it needs the robot to lift the item.
Dimarogonas says that common perception among the robots is one key to this collaborative work.
“The visual feedback that the robots receive is translated into the same symbol for the same object,” he says. “With updated vision technology they can understand that one object is the same from different angles. That is translated to the same symbol one layer up to the decision-making — that it is a thing of interest that we need to transport or not. In other words, they have perceptual agreement.”
In another demonstration two robots carry an object together. One leads the other, which senses what the lead robot wants by the force it exerts on the object, he says.
“It’s just like if you and I were carrying a table and I knew where it had to go,” he says. “You would sense which direction I wanted to go by the way I turn and push, or pull.”
The important point is that all of these actions take place without human interaction or help, he says.
“This is done in real time, autonomously,” he says. The project also uses a novel communication protocol that sets it apart from other collaborative robot concepts. “We minimize communication. There is a symbolic communication protocol, but it’s not continuous. When help is needed, a call for help is broadcast and a helper robot brings the message to another robot. But it’s a single shot.”
Learn more: Robots come to each other’s aid when they get the signal
The Latest on: Cooperating robots
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Cooperating robots” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Cooperating robots
- PCB Stepper Motor Micro Robotson March 21, 2023 at 5:01 pm
These are basically a stepper motor that’s been unrolled and made flat — traces on the PCB act as the coils and tiny magnetic “robots” act as the rotor. If you want to try this concept ...
- Best robot vacuum deals in March 2023on March 21, 2023 at 1:59 pm
A robot vacuum can set you back a few hundred dollars. Fortunately, the best robot vacuum deals can help lower the cost of your robotic assistant. Currently, we're seeing some great sales on some ...
- How killer robots are changing modern warfare – videoon March 21, 2023 at 2:42 am
But these aren't the only 'killer robots' that armies are utilising. Josh Toussaint-Strauss explores how the weaponisation of general-purpose robots and the developments of a wider array of ...
- Fairmont State University hosts the annual First Lego League Robotics State Championshipon March 19, 2023 at 12:56 pm
It’s always fun to watch the kids come up with new ideas for these challenges, creative ways to build a robot," Scime said.
- Robots are replacing security guards. Should we give them guns?on March 19, 2023 at 10:32 am
However, I'm not so sure these bots can be reliable. Let's see how the robot security experiments are turning into reality. These robot guards are being used mainly in office buildings and have ...
- 4 Robots That Look Like Humanson March 16, 2023 at 6:06 pm
Robots that look like humans can walk, talk and even appear to show emotions. Meet the most human-like robots that have come creepily close to crossing the uncanny valley. A humanoid robot named ...
- Save up to $500 on robot vacuums and get a start on your spring cleaningon March 16, 2023 at 2:00 am
Find the robot vac that's right for your home. Credit: iRobot Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Learn more about how we select deals. Only three things are ...
- Robots Showcase Electrical Engineering Innovationson March 15, 2023 at 5:00 pm
The subject of robotics is normally enough to raise eyebrows in any story or setting, but when it is brought to life with a live robot appearance, the story is brought to life. That was the case at ...
- Robots may improve mental health at workon March 15, 2023 at 4:00 am
Robots can enhance mental health at work, but they must first appear appropriate, according to studies. The study found that the appearance of the robot has a significant impact on how effective ...
- Best robot vacuum deals of 2023on March 15, 2023 at 3:38 am
Robot vacuums are a welcome addition to just about any home -- these automated workhorses clean your floors so you don't have to. They can free up time for you to focus more on the things you'd ...
via Bing News