AI project for robots: Energy efficiency

Research AI reduces energy consumption of robots by up to 25 percent

2024-04-09 From Fraunhofer IWU | Translated by AI 1 min Reading Time

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Robots are being used in more and more industries and are expected to help offset the shortage of skilled workers in the future. With the help of AI, their operating costs could now be reduced.

The software Xeidana, developed at Fraunhofer IWU, identifies whether the correct component has been picked up.(Image: Fraunhofer IWU) — The software Xeidana, developed at Fraunhofer IWU, identifies whether the correct component has been picked up.
(Image: Fraunhofer IWU)

The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU has presented a new AI project for robots. According to a press release, this could reduce energy consumption by up to 25 percent. The goal is intelligent robotics that can spontaneously carry out complex tasks. To achieve this, the researchers improved the reaction and latency times of industrial robots and optimized path planning. For example, the capture of 2D images for object recognition for the desired handling or assembly task is possible without intermediate stop.

At the Hannover Fair from April 22 to 26, the researchers want to present their results using a demonstrator. The scientists want to show that a single image taken in 2D with industrial camera technology and little computing power are sufficient for the robot to pick up a component, check it, and put it in the desired position.

Based on the image information, the software determines the positions of all objects relative to the robot, calculates the robot's path, and determines the grip position. The robot now grips the component, checks it, and relies entirely on the image information. Here is where the real-time evaluation of force data comes into play, which tells the robot how to fit the picked up gear wheel into a second gear wheel. This works with a smart application of AI that imitates the human sense of touch.

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