ChatGPT, which recently went viral, is setting off a new AI craze. This AI-driven natural language processing tool is already able to carry on conversations by learning and understanding human language, and can even complete tasks such as composing emails, writing code, translating and creating video scripts.

So how is artificial intelligence being used in robots? What are the prospects for combining the two?

MKD071B-035-KG1-KN Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing our lives. Every day, we interact hundreds of times with artificial intelligence through smartphones, online orders or search engines on the Internet. This raises the first question:

What is artificial intelligence?

The term “artificial intelligence” has no clear definition. What it means, according to the European Parliament, is “the ability of machines to mimic human talents, such as reasoning, learning, planning and creation.”

Artificial intelligence enables technology systems to “sense their environment, process the transactions they perceive, and solve problems to achieve specific goals.” By “analyzing the consequences of previous actions,” AI systems are “able to adjust their behavior” and “operate autonomously.”

There is a subfield in artificial intelligence called machine learning that is closely related to Kuka.

Machine learning is a general term to describe the information generated by artificial intelligence, which means that AI systems learn by examples and can generalize about examples. Rather than simply remembering these examples, the system is able to recognize different MKD071B-035-KG1-KN patterns and patterns.

Why is machine Learning relevant to Kuka?

Robotics is gradually moving from extremely ordered industrial production environments to relatively “disordered” private environments. Artificial intelligence helps to adapt robotic systems to unpredictable factors and changes. Until now, robots have been doing repetitive work in a repetitive manner and with the same precision.

However, the requirements of the future are different from those of the present, especially in the field of (professional) service robots and general service robots. If robots are to move into other areas, they will have to be more flexible. And machine learning can help them do that.

How is artificial intelligence being used in robots?

Ai has already achieved great success in many areas of everyday life, solving problems that are difficult or impossible to solve with traditional methods, including image and speech recognition.

Similarly, in the field of robotics, it is foreseeable that people will use artificial intelligence to perform new tasks in the future, and the process will be automated without obvious step-by-step programming. As programming requirements decrease, new areas of application will emerge. Thus, the combination of artificial intelligence and automation has unlimited potential.

What has Kuka achieved with artificial intelligence?

In general, Kuka provides intelligent machines that free humans from heavy tasks, rather than artificial intelligence itself. It relies on open standards to collect and interpret data. As a result, Kuka has adopted machine learning and integrated it into its existing solutions.

The intelligent control system MKD071B-035-KG1-KN Kuka AIVI is a good example. The software solution enables the replacement of static production facilities with flexible design systems. “AIVI is the intelligent core of the system, which uses artificial intelligence to control the driverless transport vehicle (AGV), on the one hand to ensure the optimal flow of materials to the production line, on the other hand to ensure the perfect application of the AGV. As a result, customers can invest more selectively and benefit from lower investment costs, “explains Markus Steppberger, Head of system development at Kuka. In fact, the concept has already been used in scenarios such as BMW’s body shop.

In terms of research and development, with the goal of optimizing production, Kuka is advancing several projects simultaneously with the help of artificial intelligence:
•NO.1 SmartFactoryOWL, a true Artificial intelligence (AI) lab

SmartFactoryOWL is a true Artificial intelligence (AI) lab. Here, Fraunhofer IOSB-INA, Kuka and other partners are conducting in-depth research into the future industrial data economy. In June 2021, the production of recyclable cups, fully powered by the web and artificial intelligence, was made MKD071B-035-KG1-KN possible by KR CYBERTECH in Kuka. In the lab, we will continue to explore and study how AI can be better applied to industry.
•NO.2 CosiMo, machine learning for mass production of composite materials

In 2018, the 3-year CosiMo research project was officially launched with the support of the Bavarian state government. The project brings together Kuka and other partners. The goal is to develop production processes that lead to mass production of composite components that can be used in automotive and aircraft manufacturing.

Machine learning methods, intelligent tools, Kuka robots and Kuka Cloud solutions will increase productivity and save resources, and these solutions are not only short cycle times, but can be replicated in other production processes.

The application of artificial intelligence to existing robotic systems aims to revolutionize the way human-machine cooperation works.

Artificial Intelligence in industry

The AI Challenge for the 2021 Kuka Innovation Awards also focused on how AI can be applied to industry. Belgian research team Chorrobot has won with its concept of using two-arm robot manipulation to increase productivity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and car manufacturers.