Applying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Robotics

By Robotics Online Marketing Team

POSTED 06/26/2018

Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to disrupt practically every industry

imaginable, and industrial robotics is no different. The powerful combination of
robotics and AI or machine learning is opening the door to entirely new
automation possibilities.

Currently, artificial intelligence and machine learning are being applied in

limited ways and enhancing the capabilities of industrial robotic systems. We
have yet to reach the full potential of robotics and machine learning, but current
applications are promising.

4 Tenets of Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning in Robotics

There are four areas of robotic processes that AI and machine learning are
impacting to make current applications more efficient and profitable. The scope
of AI in robotics includes:

1. Vision – AI is helping robots detect items they’ve never seen before and
recognize objects with far greater detail.

2. Grasping – robots are also grasping items they’ve never seen before with
AI and machine learning helping them determine the best position and
orientation to grasp an object.

3. Motion Control – machine learning helps robots with dynamic

interaction and obstacle avoidance to maintain productivity.

4. Data – AI and machine learning both help robots understand physical

and logistical data patterns to be proactive and act accordingly.

AI and machine learning are still in their infancy in regards to robotic

applications, but they’re already having an important impact.

Two Types of Industrial Robot Applications Using Artificial

Intelligence and Machine Learning

Supply chain and logistics applications are seeing some of the first
implementations of AI and machine learning in robotics.
In one example, a robotic arm is responsible for handling frozen cases of food
that are covered in frost. The frost causes the shape of the objects to change –
the robot is not just presented different parts occasionally, it’s being
continuously presented with differently shaped parts. AI helps the robot detect
and grasp these objects despite the variations in shape.

Another prime example of machine learning involves picking and placing over
90,000 different part types in a warehouse. This volume of part types wouldn’t
be profitable to automate without machine learning, but now engineers can
regularly feed robots images of new parts and the robot can then successfully
grasp these part types.

AI and machine learning will have a transformative impact on industrial robots.

While these technologies are still in their infancy, they will continue to push the
boundaries of what’s possible with industrial robotic automation over the next
few decades.

To learn more about this subject, sign up for our free archived webinar,
“Applying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Robotics.”

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