Recently, the usage of cobots in diverse industries is drastically increasing

The use of robots in various industries is becoming increasingly common. They are acting as human companions and help them at closer proximity. The intrusion of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning have made robots lively.

Robots started evolving in the 20th century. The term 'robot' first appeared in 1921, in Karel Capek's play Rossum's Universal Robots. The term represents 'forced labour' in Czech. The late 1900s were focused on the idea of collaborative robot or cobot, which held a closer spot in human life. While initially, the term robotics conjures up visions of hardware machines performing a wide range of tasks, it is now used to describe any sort of software or hardware-based automation that can perform a task.

Ultimately, these robots are out of communication with other robots or technological systems. Only applications of AI are capable of accelerating the chances of robot conversation which will be a breakthrough if converted to reality. Furthermore, with the implementation of machine learning in robotic process, it will unravel the robot interaction ability that might help them accomplish complex tasks without the normal risk associated with simpler bots.

The global robotic technology market size was valued at US$62.75 billion in 2019 and is anticipated to reach US$170 billion in 2027 with a CAGR of 13.5% during the forecast period.

What are Cobots?

Cobot or Collaborative robots are complex machines that work hand-in-hand with human beings in a shared work process by supporting and relieving human operators. It is generally a device that is designed to accomplish everyday job. Cobots can also detect abnormal activity in their environment through force limitation or vision monitoring.

Cobots are performing a variety of tasks like warehouse activities, delivery of goods, and a variety of assistive roles. The increasing use of robots has made people assign them to locations like retail stores, museums, hotels, hospitals and even inside homes to do some sort of household works.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) allows humans to configure the robot to emulate and integrate the actions of a human interacting within digital systems to execute a business process. RPA robots utilize the user interface to capture data and manipulate applications just like humans do. They interpret and trigger responses, and communicate with other systems in order to perform on a vast variety of repetitive tasks. It also performs tasks that would otherwise be performed by humans like typing, clicking, swiping, copying and pasting and a range of UI-based interactions.

However, these processes are configured only to an extent. If the routine changes, these robots will not be able to handle the expectations and changes that will fail the process and become brittle.

AI and Machine Learning Complement Robotic Features

Artificial intelligence and robotics come together when the machine is set to think on its own. Industries are looking for robots that could do tasks more than just moving and carrying objects. They want robots that can handle more complex work and function in high-level situations.

AI doesn't conclude with a single feature. Every application of AI such as, computer vision and RPA, complements and compels the robot to do more jobs than what it can perform just as a single system. It can trigger robots to successfully navigate surroundings, identify objects around and assist humans in tasks like bricklaying or installing drywall. Starting from being a household worker to performing critical surgeries, robots are taking a successful road towards automation.

AI-enabled Capabilities in Robots

Recognising objects using computer vision

Computer vision is the field of study that enables computers to see and understand the content of digital sources. By enabling the feature to robotics, it will help robots recognize objects they encounter. They can pick out the details in objects and help navigate by avoiding any obstacles if any.

Grasping objects through AI-enabled technology

Moving around a flat surface was not a tough job for robots. However, researchers started working on making robots hold on to or grasp objects which will make them much more helpful to humans. With the help of AI, they can efficiently do this without the need of a human controller. This action is very important for robots assigned to do automatic jobs in places like manufacturing houses and factories.

Automatic navigation using machine learning

Machine learning is a wing of AI that self teaches its applications to work without human interaction. By instilling machine learning to robots, it will gain autonomy, reducing the need of humans to plan and manage navigation paths and process flows. AI and machine learning together teach the robot to analyze their surroundings and help guide its movement, which helps the robots avoid all obstacles.

Understanding through NLP

Conversational robots are the game changers in the industry. They understand human language and perform tasks accordingly and are provided with some level of autonomy in such situations. This comes with the usage of AI-enabled recognition and Natural Language Processing (NLP) in robots.

Conclusion

The possibilities go limitless while talking about AI merging with robotics. Robotics is already a hot topic that induces interest among people. By enabling AI features, robotics is becoming more futuristic.