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Many advancements have been made in robotics in recent years. Indeed, all of us who had envisioned a world like George Jetson’s with home helpers like Rosie just might get our childhood wish. At the robotics industry’s biggest gathering, AUTOMATICA 2008 in Munich, Germany, many innovative companies revealed surprisingly sophisticated machines. With 5 trade show halls, more than 30,000 square meters of exhibition space, 900 exhibitors, and 30,000 visitors, AUTOMATICA 2008 did not disappoint. Robots are becoming more human, and they are starting to take on some incredibly complicated tasks.

Toyota’s Partner Robot is one of the more humanoid robots being exhibited at trade shows around the world. Partner Robot is particularly impressive in that it walks on two legs, and can even run. Partner Robot can even stop itself from falling over if someone bumps or shoves it. Unlike many industrial robots, designed with a single grip for a specific task, Toyota’s design has “hands” just like a person’s. This enables it most sensation feat, playing musical instruments. Partner Robot plays the violin decently, and the trumpet with amazingly good tone.

Scientists call these advances in robotics “mechatronics,” which according to Economist is “the union of mechanics, optics, electronics, computers, and software.” New innovations in software have enabled different varieties of robots to perform tasks exceptionally well. They are developing a sense of touch, a sense of sight through optics, a sense of hearing and responding to voice commands, and the ability to learn specific tasks. Economist provides an example of this: “Giving robots touch allows them to be gentle and to handle things that come in many shapes and materials. Different grippers may be needed for different jobs, and instead of using several robots, some machines now automatically swap hands; for instance choosing flat paddles to lift a box onto a production line and then hands with fingers to pick up small things to put into the box.”

Robots with different specialties are now being used in conjunction with one another. This is a phenomenon we have all seen in the auto manufacturing industry. Large robotic arms easily lift frames into place, while other smaller machines take care of painting or attaching body panels. However, robots are moving from factories to the service sector and even to homes.

Roboshaker is a good example of this. Manufactured by Japanese company FANUC, Roboshaker is a specialized machine for mixing drinks and running a bar. Roboshaker is equipped with a camera to “see” how to open cans and bottles, and mix perfectly balanced cocktails. Some are suggesting that it could be used in conjunction with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute’s creation, Care-O-Bot, a sort of domestic robot. Economist’s recent robot profile points out, “[It] is the type of service robot that is closest to production. Care-O-Bot can sidle up to Roboshaker, fetch a drink and serve it on a silver salver.”

As robots become more and more advanced, the public becomes more and more suspicious of this “artificial intellience.” With movies like Pixar’s Wall-E providing robots with personalities, one wonders if we are indeed being replaced. In some sectors, like the auto industry, workers are literally losing their jobs to robots. Does this trend violate science fiction writer Isaac Azimov’s first law of robotics, stating, “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm”?

Some would argue that job losses and economic downturn is indeed do to robotics advances, though one could not exactly blame the robots. However, as humanoid machines become more prolific, and mechatronics find a home in more models of robots, we will need to find a balance between automation and humanity. In the meantime, however, can someone tell the Roboshaker I’d like a mojito?

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

By Haley January Eckels