Рубрика: Robotics

The space exploration programs are adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics to fast-track their mission

Countries across the globe have been running on the race to explore space for a century now. Remarkably, there is no victory to it. As nations send more rockets and satellites to the outer space, they get more information about the floating components. Like many other industries, the space exploration process is also adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics to fast-track their mission. This leads us to great lengths and never explored places.

In the early days of technology, artificial intelligence was comparatively less flexible. AI systems were taught by humans through input information that involves the complex job of doing computer codes. But today, things have turned upside down. Emerging technologies like machine learning and deep learning are making things easy for AI. This gives an opportunity for organizations working in space programs to embrace AI and robotics. Machine learning facilitates AI to train itself through a huge amount of data that are fed in the system. Deep learning is a specialized technique within machine learning, whereby the machine utilizes multi-layered artificial neural networks to train itself on complex tasks like image recognition. Robots are invading the space and reaching out to places that even human astronauts can’t. These technologies are just the tip of an iceberg. By going deep into AI and robotics, we can find far advanced AI technologies being employed in space missions.

The use of AI in space exploration is valued at a staggering US$2 billion and still growing. Both humans and scientific exploration missions are impacted by AI developments. In 2020 and beyond, the mission to explore the moon, Mars, asteroids and comets are set by scientists. These can be fast-tracked and advanced with the help of technology. Some of the applications of artificial intelligence in space missions are autonomous location tracking, navigation and map-building, SLAM technology, fault detection, isolation and recovery methods, image processing, object identification and feature detection, task planning and scheduling. Robots help the space exploration process through the mechanical design of planetary rovers, the mechanical design of space manipulators, actuators and sensors of space robots, end-effector/tools of space robots, reconfigurable robots, and robot mobility. Not just space researchers and scientists, even governments across the globe are showing interest in adopting AI and robotics to become powerful.

Recent achievements in space using AI

NASA is planning to make communication networks more efficient and reliable using cognitive video, which can pick the ‘white noise’ areas in communication bands and uses them to transmit data. The features help minimize delay times and maximize the use of limited telecommunication bands available. NASA is also planning for more advanced missions in the future to explore deep space. The space organization is planning to design more autonomous spacecraft and landers, so that decisions can be taken on-site, removing delay in communication relay times. NASA is also making a move along with Google to train its expensive AI algorithms to effectively soft through the data from the Kepler mission to look for signals from an exoplanet crossing in front of its parent star. Gathering the data from NASA, Artificial Intelligence Data Analysis (AIDA) project, funded under European Horizons 2020 framework is developing an intelligent system that will read and process data from space, aiming to discover new things, reveal anomalies and recognize the structure. NASA’s program to explore Mars has AI applications that might mark a milestone in the AI in space timeline. The AEGIS (Autonomous Exploration for Fathering Increased Science) initiative took off in 2020 and set in the Mars is helping the Rover with cameras and specimen collection.

Mission Shakti launched by India is an Anti-Satellite Weapon powered with AI and robotics to ensure accuracy and interception to accurately pinpoint its target and destroy it. India also used technology for its Orbiter and Launcher with machine learning and AI in its Rover named ‘Pragyan.’ The moon mission rover ensures efficient working of the robot in collecting specimens from the space of the moon, click pictures and videos, and use the technology build-in.

Remarkable Robots in space exploration

The habit of sending robots to space started in 1957 when USSR sent Sputnik 1 to orbit the earth. Beginning there, the robotics exploration in space has seen unprecedented growth in the following years. Recently, the Canadian Space Association launched Dextre, a robotic arm designed to install and replace small equipment such as exterior cameras or the 100 kg batteries used on the space station. Dextre is currently operated by ground control teams from both the Canadian Space Association and NASA.

R5, originally designed by the Johnson Space Centre (JSC) for the 2013 DARPA Robotics Challenge became a part of NASA’s Space Robotics Challenge later. The six-foot-tall robot is currently being upgraded with the software needed for space exploration by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Edinburg in Scotland. The robot is designed to help astronauts perform a wide range of tasks in space using its gripper hands, sensors and cameras in head and chest.

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Robots can become superior to human beings with the development of artificial intelligence.

From the automobile and aerospace industries to electronics and medical providers, the majority of robots or robotic-like devices today operate in manufacturing. Robots have come into the world of manufacturing and remains a crucial field of interest for manufacturers. Robotics and automation are, for good reason, a crucial way to understand the kind of productivity companies need to succeed in today’s increasingly digital workplace.

According to Robo Global, “The brutal combination of a global downturn in capital spending in 2019, followed almost immediately by the shockwaves of the pandemic in 2020, hit automotive and electronics—the two largest industries that rely on robotics and automation—hard. Heading into the new year, we expect the factory robotics market to accelerate strongly in 2021.”

He further says, “By the end of 2021, we expect the installed base of factory robots to exceed 3.2 million units—double the level in 2015, and still a tiny fraction of the human workforce of 360 million in manufacturing. As this recovery continues, we expect to see significant upside and double-digit growth over the next five years, driven by technological advances, the digitization of production systems, an increase in worker shortages, and a significant boost from post-COVID-19 adjustments.”

Increase in demand for collaborative robots

Collaborative robots enable individuals and robots in open or non-cared environments to work together effectively. It is possible to include a human operator and a robot in the same device together by using collaborative robots. To maintain security, these robots are designed in such a way that there is no risk of harm and destruction.

In the entire robot industry, the growth rate of collaborative robots has not been hit very hard. This is because these robots can be used easily to boost their appeal during the pandemic. Another explanation of why collaborative robot sales have remained strong is that the industries that purchase these robots have not been put in the same category as those that purchase traditional robots.

Electronics sector increasing automation

For many years, the automotive industry has become the main purchaser of robots for manufacturing activities. However, we will witness a paradigm shift. It has been observed that the growth of the electronics industry in industrial robotics is now higher than that of the automotive industry. For now, considering the increase in narrow profit margins, robot automation in the coming years is expected to become a lucrative concept for the technology sector with customization becoming a trend in this field.

Disruptions of the supply chain would not impede robot developers

Although issues in supply chains have slammed some industrial markets, the robot industry has largely escaped supply problems. Companies have been steadily integrating robotics into their practices over the last few years to help them achieve a competitive edge.

The future of robotics is mere conjecture, but a foregone conclusion based on developments in recent years is the relentless technological advances. Robots would undoubtedly impact various aspects of people’s lives, and scientists and philosophers are discussing the future of the human race. Robots can become superior to human beings with the development of artificial intelligence. The robots will be there regardless of the future.

The post Robotics in 2021: Progress and Development appeared first on Analytics Insight.

With increasing automation, career opportunity in robotics is on high demand

The development of robotics technology is significantly playing a vital role in automating business processes and stimulating the economy in the digital age. Simultaneously, the innovation in and explosion of robots are driving surged demand for a skilled workforce to build, operate, and service them. Companies around the world are actively turning towards automation to smooth service delivery. Hence, they are looking for candidates aligned to their business objective.

Here are the top robotics jobs companies are offering in India in January 2021.

Micron Technology

Job Role: Automation Engineer

Location: Hyderabad

Job Description:

Micron Technology seeks an experienced Automation Engineer that helps configure, develop, maintain, and support the company and third-party applications that drive infrastructure automation. This role is expected to work in the Indian time zone (IST). The selected candidate will be involved with a team of software engineers based in Boise, India and Taiwan to automate the infrastructure processes wherever possible to reduce manual process steps and ensure reliable and repeatable results.

Requirements:

• 5+ years of direct experience in development tools and platforms: Python, PowerShell, Microsoft System Center Orchestrator, Basic DB Skills, and others.

• Experience development and consumption of REST API.

• Full understanding of Windows, Unix, Cisco UCS and VMWare

• 5+ years related experience required

• Bachelor/Master’s degree in computer science preferred

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and more.

Apply here

Accenture

Job Role: Automated Testing Test Automation Engineer

Location: Bangalore

Job Description:

Candidates for this role will be responsible for transforming testing into a continuous and efficient end-to-end quality engineering function through the use of quality processes, tools, and methodologies significantly improving control, accuracy and integrity. They will evolve more predictive and intelligent testing approaches based on automation and innovative testing products and solutions.

Requirements:

• Must have 4-6 years of experience.

• Knowledge in Automation Testing/Tools Selenium, Appium, JMeter, SOAP UI/Rest Services.

• Excellent verbal communication skills – Good problem-solving skills.

• BCA in Any Specialization, BTech/BE in Computers PG: MCA in Computers, MS/MSc in Computers Ke.

• Good knowledge in Programming with Java, JS, Web-services/API Test Automation – Excellent programming.

Apply here

Rapyuta Robotics

Job Role: Software Engineer I – Robotics

Location: Bangalore

Job Description:

Rapyuta Robotics, a robotics startup, is looking for a group of young and passionate software engineers to support its vision by building and help others build state-of-the-art multi-robot solutions. The candidates will require collaborating in a team to design, develop, integrate and maintain a robust team of autonomous robots in semi-structured and dynamic environments. They will contribute to the deployment and testing of the company’s system.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, or a similar technical field of study, or equivalent practical experience with an outstanding track record.

• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and test scalable and highly available software systems in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong proficiency in C++, with a fair knowledge of the language specification and at least 1-2 years of hands-on experience.

• Good OOP and multithreading knowledge and more.

Apply here

Oracle

Job Role: Automation Engineer

Location: Hyderabad

Job Description:

The role of the Senior Automation Engineer is to ensure software being released meets and exceeds Oracle’s standards throughout its SDLC. Selected candidates will be responsible for developing test scripts in Java and using Selenium to automate manual test cases, and designing, maintaining and enhancing automation frameworks. They will participate in functional and regression testing of Oracle’s web-based applications and services and identify defects, issues, and risks within the software system.

Requirements:

• Knowledge on API, Mobile Automation.

• Experience in technologies – TestNG, Maven, Jenkins, GIT, RestAssured, Selenium GRID.

Apply here

NVIDIA

Job Role: Senior System Software Engineer, Full Stack

Location: Pune

Job Description:

Aspirants for this role will partner across multiple product engineering teams to enable and drive the adoption of strong cloud security engineering practices and controls. They will require building Security as a Service (SaaS) solutions such as Security Hub to offer customer-facing security features, and design and build vulnerability scanning solutions for Kubernetes and Docker managed services, and more.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science Engineering or a related field of study.

• Overall 8+ years of experience in architecting, designing and implementing software solutions, preferably in product development space.

• Experience with architecting and deploying services on cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure, including hybrid private-public cloud architecture.

• Strong knowledge and implementation experience on AWS core (VPC, EC2, S3, IAM, CFT, RDS) and Serverless architecture (API Gateway, Lambda, DynamoDB), and more.

Apply here

Juniper Networks

Job Role: Software Engineer 3 – Devops, Python Automation

Location: Bangalore

Job Description:

Selected candidates will work with customers, sales, customer services, systems engineering and product engineering teams to scope and deliver professional service projects. They will be responsible for running requirements and scoping workshops with the customer, delivery partners and sales. They will lead automation implementation and execution of those plans, and work with the internal team on automation projects. They will also require understanding the user requirement and converting to a high level and low-level work items.

Requirements:

• Experience with at least one programming language such as Python / Java.

• Expertise with Ansible, Jenkins, GIT and other DevOps tools.

• Expert with Docker Containers and Kubernetes.

• RESTful API knowledge.

• Excellent problem solving, analytical and technical troubleshooting skills.

• Ability to work independently and remotely with limited supervision.

• Excellent written & verbal communication skills and more.

Apply here

The post Top Robotics Job Opportunities in India in January 2021 appeared first on Analytics Insight.

Advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence in the future could improve the functionality of cobots.

In the manufacturing & industrial sector, technology is constantly evolving. The industry is introducing the use of robots in the workplace, with recent advances in automation. And so far, by substituting or supporting human staff on assembly lines, they have shown tremendous potential for accelerating and automating a variety of manufacturing processes. There are many fears that robots will essentially take over production, leaving people without jobs and transforming the industry as a whole, since the technology is new. Another problem is that robots for development should be both effective and reasonably affordable in order to be implemented on a wide scale.

According to Tech Xplore, “Researchers at Wuhan University of Science and Technology and University of Leicester have recently developed an optimization technique that could help to optimize the cost and efficiency of multiple robots set to operate in assembly lines. This technique, presented in a paper published in Springer Link’s Neural Computing and Applications journal, is based on a metaheuristic algorithm known as migrating bird optimization algorithm, which is ideal for solving optimization problems due to its simplicity and flexibility in adapting to the nature of a problem.”

They also mentioned that, “The overreaching objective of the recent study by Janardhanan and his colleagues was to optimize assembly lines in which robots and human workers collaborate, ensuring that they can work both effectively and safely. To do this, they developed a multi-objective mixed-integer programming model and used a metaheuristic algorithm. They then tested it on several scenarios in which different types of robots are expected to work together to assemble goods.

The algorithm can minimize an assembly line’s overall cycle time and decrease the total purchasing cost of a team of robots. The algorithm’s design is inspired by the V- flight formation of birds. The algorithm selects an optimal solution (i.e., a solution that optimizes the total cost and reduces the overall cycle time) among a set of possibilities and replaces outdated solutions identified earlier.

Overall, the migrating bird optimization algorithm was found to achieve remarkable results, which were either better or similar to those achieved by the state-of-the-art techniques it was tested against. In the future, it could be used by manufacturers worldwide to optimize the cost and efficiency of assembly lines, employing a team of robots to support human workers.”

Future Possibilities

Advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence in the future could improve the functionality of cobots. When cobots become smarter, they will be likely to function more complex tasks and recall prior work to assist them in the future. In order to complete work more effectively, machine learning can also indicate that cobots would be able to identify themselves and solve any technical problems.

According to the Robotic Industries Association, “Collaborative robots feature technological innovations that solve some of the most pressing challenges in robotic automation. With proven ability to provide ROI, a reputation for high productivity, and low initial costs, collaborative robots are growing in demand.

As collaborative robots become a sought-after technology, they’ll quickly grab a significant share of all robot sales, bringing cutting-edge capabilities to a wider range of industries and applications while driving the long-term market growth.”

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Gone are the days when everything being controlled by automation was a dream and considered to be a thing of the future. But, today getting to see robots and drones excelling in possibly every field out there is a moment of pride for all of us. Not one, not two but there are numerous fields that have had the privilege to make use of advanced technology in the form of drones and robots – be it healthcare, construction, agriculture, entertainment, etc. Had it not been for this advanced technology, a lot of objectives wouldn’t have been achievable.

On that note, the fact as to how the urban lifestyle got through a major transformation by virtue of drones, robots and other autonomous systems cannot skip a chance of being unnoticed. These have the ability to maintain urban infrastructure without neglecting the safety of the people.

Robots serve to be an extension to the already existing smart urban ecosystem. Some of the examples that justify the same are autonomous delivery robots, robots that act like maids and help you with your daily chores, driverless bus shuttles and a lot more. The healthcare sector has probably seen one of the most advanced applications of robots. Robots are seen to be assisting the surgeons thereby reducing time and improving care. Today, we get to see transport robots that help in moving drugs, documents, etc. Nowadays, it has become very common to find robotic waiters, robots that can assist while transportation, robots that take up the role of traffic police officers and the list is endless.

Talking about drones, their applications seem to have no boundaries. Be it surveillance and security, search and rescue, entertainment, shipping and delivery, aerial photography and what not – drones surely are a treasure!

The challenges and opportunities that these systems could have on the urban nature are also being given importance to by the researchers.

Now that there has been an increase in the usage of robotics, autonomous vehicles and drones across cities and slowly into the rural sections as well, it is observed that the pollution and traffic congestion may reduce, thus making towns and cities more pleasant, clean and breathable places to live. Needless to say, drones, robots and similar systems have reduced the need for manpower, have saved a lot of time, have sometimes yielded results better than humans and have also paved way for many more advancements ahead.

However, on the flipside, there are some issues associated as well that one cannot think of neglecting. For robots, drones and other autonomous system to come into play, there might be a requirement of re-planning the cities which ultimately means that the environment will have to face the aftermath as the greener space would be cut down. Also, with the already existing social inequalities, this would further add more to it.

Despite the fact that these systems aid in taking the development of the nation to another level, the truth that there is an equal chance of risks and side-effects cannot be overlooked. For example, drones and robots could be highly responsible for generating waste as well as pollution.

The growing use of robotics and autonomous systems has made it possible to sense, analyse, interact with and manipulate their physical environment in some way or the other. If only better examples than drones, self-driving cars, robots able to repair infrastructure can be found that just fit perfect here.

Yes, we’ve had these systems serving as a boon in a variety of fields, catering to all our needs as and when required, thereby enabling us to live with utmost comfort and ease. But, what needs to be kept in mind is that getting to interact with nature has a range of human health and well-being benefits, which all of us are well aware of and are even blessed to have experienced some, if not all of this but robots are likely to transform many of the ways in which we experience and gain benefits from the nature. Also, not to forget the risks and side-effects posed by these systems, if handled in the right manner, can transform the world for the better, undoubtedly!

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Researchers have developed an advanced robot that develops empathy for partner robot

Humans have long been thinking about a future where robots can function by themselves, and at the worst scenario, predict humans and other robots actions. This has been the storyline of almost all sci-fi movies that portrayed robots to be initially at human’s aid and then when they start having feelings for themselves, robots turn evil and ambitious. Even though the path is very long to reach such an advanced future, researchers and scientists came clean about developing a robot that empathizes for other robots.

Humans are emotional creatures. We strongly thrive on empathy. Even though the fact about humans taking logical decisions prevails, our emotions govern a large part of our intelligence. In a study conducted by Aron K. Barbey in 2012, neurologists confirmed that emotional intelligence share many neural systems for integrating cognitive, social and affective processes. Empathy is one of the major driving factors of emotional changes. Empathy generally refers to the ability to understand and relate to other person’s feelings or experience and react to it. The question of whether machines, especially, robots empathizing takes us back to the previous century when the emotional conduct was deeply analyzed by scientists. Jean Piaget, a Swiss Psychologist and epidemiologist known for his contributions to understand the cognitive development of children. He mentioned that the thought-processes of children are mostly egocentric up until the age of four when their executive functioning starts to improve and theory of minds emerge. However, the world is eager to see what robot empathy can bring.

The concept of robot companions establishing a healthy relationship with humans is still on the bucket list unstriked. Today, robots are more than just a machine that follows the routine mechanism. Robots are climbing terrains, safeguarding humans at rough environments by replacing them in tough jobs, carrying out surgeries, educating students, etc. Unfortunately, even the most intelligent and advanced robots have remained inept at social communication. To break the ice, researchers at the Columbia Engineering have published a report in Nature Scientific Report that unravels how robots have learned to predict its partner robot’s future actions based on just a few video frames.

Robot displays empathy towards other robots

The study conducted at Columbia Engineering’s Creative Machines Lab reflects on the ability of robots to empathize for fellow robots. The research led by Professor Hod Lipson has concluded that sooner or later, robots will become more capable of adopting emotions. The researchers initially built a robot and placed it in a playpen roughly 3×2 feet in size. The robot was programmed to move forward towards a green circle whenever it appears. But a simple distraction was also added to the study. Sometimes, they placed red cardboard blocking the green circle. It made the robots skip that and go for other green circles. Another robot was made to observe the motion of the first robot for two hours. The observing robot began to anticipate the movement of the first robot. It predicted 98 out of 100 times correctly across varying situations, without being told explicitly about the partner’s visibility handicap. The accuracy of anticipation made a mark that robot empathy is on its way.

The post In a First, Robot Shows Empathy Towards Fellow Robot appeared first on Analytics Insight.

The modern workplaces are incorporating AI and robots for smoothening business operations

The advent of Industry 4.0 changed the way industries perform, by transforming them digitally. Businesses embraced automation in workplaces to enhance productivity and reduce operational costs. Automation is a key ingredient to enhance business growth and agility in the current scenario. There have been speculations about AI and robots taking over humans and emerging as a threat to human civilization. But these technologies have had a great impact on building the economy and increasing revenue.

Adaptation of robots is a crucial step in achieving fully automated workspace. Robots have been feared for their capacity to fully replicate human intelligence. Many industries across the globe have already incorporated robots into their work environments to minimise labour and maximise work efficiency. A press release by International Federation of Robotics says, “the new World Robotics 2020 Industrial Robots report shows a record of 2.7 million industrial robots operating in factories around the world – an increase of 12%. Sales of new robots remain on a high level with 373,000 units shipped globally in 2019.”

Impacts of Robots in Workspaces

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFG, the largest bank in Japan had introduced a humanistic robot called NAO, for customer interactions. Similarly, Amazon is known to have incorporated several robots in its warehouse operations that work along with human employees. Investing in robots can benefit business growth in many ways. Let us take a look at some of the benefits.

• Robots can work in adverse environmental conditions and do not need lighting or ventilation in order to do so. They can take up dangerous tasks which can injure human beings. Since humans getting injured can have serious repercussions, robots are a desirable choice in such situations.

• Robots are cheaper and they don’t require consistent investment unlike hiring human employees. The costs of robots are now in a decreasing stage and it will further go down once they become popular in workplaces.

• Humans and robots can work complementing each other. Robots are capable of doing tasks faster than humans with utmost precision. Less human intervention will result in minimal errors. Robots share the workload of human employees by taking over mundane tasks that need less human brain intervention.

Challenges Looming Over Adopting Robots

• Robots are complex in nature and hence it needs a lot of skill and time to programme robots. Complexities in the robots complicate working operations which can act as a potential risk for the products and the machines involved. Robots in the present scenario are expensive and this disables many small enterprises from adopting them, which in turn increases competition in markets. High maintenance costs of robots can doom the company in bankruptcy.

• It is still difficult for robots to do all tasks on their own. Robots need to be monitored by humans most of the time and do complex tasks that cannot be performed by the robot hands.

• Communication of the robots with other robots or a centralised control system can create standoffs between robots. Advanced automation is necessary for the robots to efficiently enable interoperability in workspaces. For instance, a report in Wired mentions Changi General Hospital in Singapore that has employed robots often face standoffs without knowing how to navigate. The report says that to alleviate these standoffs, the hospital uses software developed by Open Robotics, to let robots from different manufacturers talk to each other and negotiate safe passage.

• AI and robots are blamed for taking over jobs, thus increasing unemployment rates. The advent of robots will minimise manual labour and this can cost jobs. There are a lot of mundane and repetitive tasks like customer care interactions which have huge manpower involved.

The post Robots In the Workplaces: Impacts and Challenges appeared first on Analytics Insight.

With rising demand of robots and robotics, it is time to Get Skilled From Top Robotics Universities

Robotics is one of the most advanced and emerging technologies in the modern technology landscape. It deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots, as well as computer systems for their control, sensory feedback and information processing. It comprises of concepts from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automation technology, electronic engineering and computer science.

Analytics Insight predicts that the global market of Robotics will grow at a CAGR of 10.9% and value at US$80.2 billion in 2023. Given the rising demand of robotics, today, many universities and colleges around the world, have started providing top notch robotics programs. Students interested to make a career in this field can sign up for these courses and learn about topics like mobility, manipulation, and artificial intelligence. However, it is important to note that finding the ‘best’ out of the plethora of these programs is vague.

This is because, every university has its own specialized course plan and research area. For instance, MIT has developed systems like a 1-legged bouncing robot and passively walking bipeds evolving to such things as the Cheetah. While, Carnegie Mellon is known for 3D perception for robots and autonomous vehicles, Stanford for robot perception, Berkeley for grasping. At the same time, Cambridge’s Charles robot is popular for leveraging natural affect data to replicate realistic facial expressions and gestures. Hence assigning the #1 among the best of the best university programs is futile.

As the demand for graduates with the technical and creative ability to work in robotics is set to increase, it is time to look for some of these programs and register. Further, robotics is no longer limited to assembly lines in manufacturing sector. Today, we find its applications ranging from aerospace and sub-sea exploration, to consumer products and the creative arts.

Here are some of the top robotics university programs around the world.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute of Massachusetts

WPI is a university that has the FIRST Robotics Research Center and a complete undergraduate course on robotics. Its MS in Robotics Engineering program is a leading, first-of-its-kind graduate program in the nation and an internationally lauded academic program. And for all the serious research that goes on here, the institute encourages imaginative and creative work with robots. On a campus located in the heart of New England’s robotics industry, you’ll work on innovative robotics projects from the get-go alongside influential and renowned faculty in its state-of-the-art labs.

Carnegie Mellon University

This University is synonymous with robotics and has multiple engineering and computer science divisions. It offers a number of Robotics programs such as PhD in Robotics, Masters in Robotics and Master of Science- Robotic Systems Development (MRSD). Some of its undergraduate programs allow students to complete their masters in the 5th year. These are Master of Science- Robotic Technology (MS-RT) and Master of Science-Computer Vision (MSCV). Master of Science in Robotics (MSR) program brings together areas of robotics research. It focuses on preparing students to take a leading role in the research and development of future generations of integrated robotics technologies and systems.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT’s highly ranked School of Engineering offers many opportunities for graduate students interested in robotics. MIT also boasts of numerous robotics groups and labs. E.g. the Robot Locomotion Group and the Biomimetic Robotics Lab dedicated to building machines with extraordinary agility and efficiency. The Field and Space Robotics Lab, the Robotics Team engineering the robots of the future; and the Personal Robots Group that focuses on developing the principles, techniques, and technologies for personal robots. It’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory has also spawned many robotic creations. Though MIT does not offer a specific robotics major, the school offers students a couple of paths to specialize in the field.

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, offers unique a Master’s Degree in Robotics (ROBO) through the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Penn’s ROBO master’s program, is sponsored jointly by three university departments – Electrical and Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, and Computer and Information Science. The program is administered through the General Robotics, Automation, Sensing, and Perception (GRASP) Laboratory. Students study artificial intelligence, kinematics, design, and prototyping in one of the most advanced robotics labs in the world. In addition to a master’s program, GRASP also offers undergraduate courses in robotics.

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

The Michigan Robotics program consists of three main technical areas, which converge as students produce functioning robots: Sensing of the environment, external agents, and internal body information to determine state information; Reasoning with that information to make decisions for guidance, control, and localization; and Acting upon the body and environment to produce motion or other outputs that enable the robot to locomote or interact with the environment. Each of these areas may be considered a sub-plan for coursework and research study. Further, students who do not wish to enroll in the doctorate in robotics program can explore positions with the university’s corporate sponsors through the Engineering Career Resource Center (ECRC).

Colorado School of Mines

The Center for Automation, Robotics, and Distributed Intelligence (CARDI) in Colorado School of Mines is an excellent place to meet other enthusiasts, learn all about building robots and conduct researches on the topic. CARDI aims to engage in interdisciplinary research encompassing the fields of control systems, robotics and automation, computer vision and intelligence, distributed systems and networking, and data/information. Its Mechanical Engineering Department offers the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a Robotics, Automation, and Design research area. Mines has also developed a Biomechatronics Research Lab where robotics engineering students can work on research projects, developing systems that could revolutionize the medical field.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Through its Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines, Georgia Tech serves as an umbrella to cover individuals studying any and all disciplines and who have an interest in robotics. Through the joint venture, the Institute achieves new strengths as inter-disciplinary individuals come together and solve problems with maximum collaboration and creativity. Besides, its SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research in Engineering) is a favorite course of choice for students looking to learn the basics of robotics. Georgia Tech also offers elective courses in Specialization in Computational Perception and Robotics to provide students with a depth of knowledge in robotics.

ETH Zurich

ETH Zurich has been consistently ranked among the best five universities in Europe. It’s Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) currently consists of eight independent laboratories that conduct research in areas ranging from nanodevices for biomedicine, to systems for rehabilitation and autonomous aerial vehicles. The Master in Robotics, Systems and Control offered at this college allows students to develop innovative and intelligent products and systems to meet today’s challenges: energy supply, environment, health and mobility. It is a specialized program offered by the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-​MAVT) in cooperation with the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-​ITET) and the Department of Computer Science (D-​INFK).

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Augmented reality and robots serve different purposes in the retail sector to enhance production, reduce costs, and improve customer experience.

‘After we walk into a retail store to pick up clothes, suddenly a robot comes to us asking what kind of cloth we want and which brand. Further, the robot follows us and picks the exact cloth we were looking for.’ Isn’t this incredible? Guess what, this scene is not from any upcoming science-fiction script, but this is a vague picture of what the future will look like in retail stores.

The retail industry is revamping its business operations by leveraging cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, big data analytics, augmented reality, virtual reality, and robots. The Covid-19 pandemic had a considerable role to play in the digital transformation of retail stores across the world. E-commerce and omnichannel retail have changed the cliched face of retail stores. Many retailers migrated to digital platforms leaving behind their physical stores to facilitate pick-up and deliveries, called dark stores. The focus shifted towards customer experience and personalization, which can escalate revenues. Since customer engagement is a significant factor in today’s retail industry, many retailers embraced technologies like AI and augmented reality for decent business growth. Well, online stores can never replace in-store experiences and thus, brick and mortar stores are here to stay. Let us check out the impact of augmented reality and robots in the retail industry and find out if it is possible to pick one over the other.

How Does Augmented Reality Complement the Retail Sector?

In 2017, Ikea launched ‘Ikea Place’, an app that uses augmented reality and lets customers reimagine a space by placing 3D representations of furnishings. ‘Ikea Place’ makes the process of decision making easier for the customers and provides a right fitting product. There are many more retailers like Ikea, who leverage augmented reality to directly engage with their customers.

Augmented reality helps customers to visualize and even try on the products while sitting in their personal spaces. It enables the establishment of a direct connection with consumers in the absence of physical stores. Augmented reality in the retail industry ensures personalized customer services which are imperative for customer traction and business development. According to the Markets and Markets survey, the augmented reality is projected to reach 72.7 billion dollars by 2024.

Warehouse management, stock management, inventory control processes, and simplifying sales processes in a B2B setting are some other applications and advantages of augmented reality in the retail industry.

Augmented reality along with machine learning and artificial intelligence help in merging online and in-store experiences. These technologies can be incorporated into physical stores to maintain self check-out operations, reduce time wastage, and make product selection easier for the customers.

The Advent of Robots in Retail stores

The rising tech-savvy millennial customers get bored with the long queues in retail stores and wait for a customer relations agent to come and assist them. Although the retail industry is going online for the past few years, brick and mortar stores will cease to exist. The physical retail stores deliver a more personalized and real experience compared to the online platforms.

A Forbes report says, “As retailers look to trim costs and streamline operations, particularly along the supply chain, robots are only going to become more entrenched in retail’s day-to-day operations, taking on greater roles and interacting with employees and consumers alike as AI becomes smarter.”

Retail stores can use robots to provide better customer services. The robots can help customers find particular products much faster and easier than their human counterparts, and also interact with the customers for answering their queries.

Robots have been contributing to the back-end business operations like warehouse management, logistics, manufacturing, and more. Thus, robots entering retail stores is not a nascent thought. A Business Insider article from 2020 talks about a retail store robot Marty celebrating its first birthday. The report says that Marty, a googly-eyed robot that assists in store clean-up efforts, is celebrating one year since the start of its roll-out across 172 Giant Food Stores and 325 Stop and Shop locations across the US in January 2019.

This robot apparently is used for alerting employees about potential spills and hazards.

Since there is a certain fear looming around AI and robots taking over the human race, it is difficult for humans to accept them without suspicions.

Augmented Reality vs Robots

While measuring the capabilities of augmented reality and robots and their ability to revolutionize the retail industry, we can arrive at a conclusion that both are equally good at doing their parts. They cannot replace one another and thus, remains a great technological boon for the industry. Although augmented reality can be utilized in both online and physical stores, robots seem to fit better in physical retail stores. Augmented reality, robots, and other innovations are on their way to change how industries think, sell, perform and connect with their customers.

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High-demand for disruptive services will significantly augment robotics funding in 2021

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything and threw the economy into a whirlwind, numerous industries witnessed ever seen business growth. For instance, the proliferation of telehealth and rapid drug development enabled healthcare technologies to reach a new horizon. In a socially distanced world, robotics demand gained new heights as companies across almost every industry sought new ways to drive innovation. Now looking ahead to the new year, many tech purists expect that robotics trends will likely continue in 2021. The International Federation of Robotics forecasts that the global sales of robotic services will top US$55 million by 2023, up from US$17 billion in 2019.

Here is the top robotics funding raised in January/ February 2021.

UiPath

Amount Raised: US$750 Million

Transaction Type: Series F

Key Investor(s): Alkeon Capital and Coatue

Widely known as the RPA leader, UiPath raised a whopping amount of US$750 million in Series F funding round at a post-money valuation of US$35 billion. The round was co-led by existing investors Alkeon Capital and Coatue, with participation from other returning investors Altimeter Capital, Dragoneer, IVP, Sequoia, Tiger Global, and funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

Horizon Robotics

Amount Raised: US$ 400 Million

Transaction Type: Series C

Key Investor(s): Baillie Gifford, Contemporary Amperex Technology, CPE, YF Capital

Horizon Robotics, a developer of artificial intelligence chips for robots, closed US$400 million in a Series C2 financing round. The round was led by Baillie Gifford, YF Capital and battery-maker CATL. This fresh fund enables Horizon Robotics to stimulate its autonomous vehicle chips research and commercialization.

AMP Robotics

Amount Raised: US$55 Million

Transaction Type: Series B

Key Investor(s): XN

AMP Robotics is a developer of AI-based robotic systems that sort recyclable material at a fraction of the cost of the current technology. To scale its business operations and expand its business reach, the company bagged US$55 million in a Series C funding round. The round was led by XN, with participation from new investors Valor Equity Partners and GV as well as existing investors Sequoia, Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, Congruent Ventures, and Closed Loop Partners.

OxeFit

Amount Raised: US$12.5 Million

Transaction Type: Series A

Key Investor(s): Lydia Partners

OxeFit, an artificial intelligence and advanced robotics platform that provides the smartest and most effective training system for safely improving businesses’ performance, closed US$12.5 million in a Series A round. The financing round was led by Lydia Partners, with additional participation from pre-eminent professional athletes and sports medicine experts. OxeFit offers an integrated fitness ecosystem and aims to bring advanced robotics and AI to the world of strength training.

Bear Flag Robotics

Amount Raised: US$7.9 Million

Transaction Type: Seed Round

Key Investor(s): True Ventures

Bear Flag Robotics is an ag-tech company that develops autonomous technology for farm tractors to yield productivity and improve safety. To accelerate the development of self-driving tractors, the company raised US$7.9 million in a Seed round led by True Ventures, with participation from Graphene Ventures, AgFunder, D20 and Green Cow VC. Bear Flag Robotics’ mission is to fortify global food production and lessen the cost of growing food through machine automation.

Energy Robotics

Amount Raised: €2 million (US$2.3 Million)

Transaction Type: Seed Round

Key Investor(s): Earlybird Venture Capital

The developer of software solutions for mobile inspection robots, Energy Robotics received €2 million, approximately US$2.3 million, in a seed funding round. The financing was led by Earlybird, alongside other prominent business angels. Headquartered in Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany, Energy Robotics has introduced one of the first commercially available software platforms for industrial applications that coalesces three essential intelligent control components of mobile autonomous robots: a hardware-independent robot operating system, cloud-based fleet management, and AI-powered data analysis.

Augmented Pixels

Amount Raised: US$2 Million

Transaction Type: Venture Round

Key Investor(s): –

Augmented Pixels is a Palo Alto, CA-based technology company that specializes in the field of augmented reality navigation and 3d mapping for mobile phones, drones, and robots. The company has closed a US$2 million in funding for the expansion of the team based in the United States and for innovative R&D activities. Augmented Pixels creates a world where drones and robots can see and navigate as humans do.

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