Page 19 - trends in automation

Photo: Fraunhofer IML
using mathematics and information
technology. Strong AI, on the other
hand, involves the development
of consciousness and genuine
understanding, i.e. a type of artificial
intelligence that matches or even
exceeds human intellectual abilities.
The thinking robot
Released from the demand for real
consciousness, machines that perform
tasks autonomously can in good
conscience be described as intelligent.
A highlight among intelligent machines
is the HIRO robot (Human Interactive
Robot) developed at the Tokyo Institute
of Technology under the direction of
Professor Osamu Hasegawa. The
robot uses the SOINN algorithm (Self-
Organizing Incremental Neural Network)
to record commands and collects the
necessary data and information in order
to later execute the commands. If HIRO
doesn’t know something, he finds out for
himself. What makes HIRO really interesting
is that he saves all new information for later
use and can apply it to new problems. The
robot thus constantly develops itself
in order to be able to perform tasks for
which it was not originally programmed.
Hasegawa hopes that SOINN will
one day also be used in practical
applications such as the control of
traffic light systems, for example. Traffic
congestion could thus be reduced by
analysing public monitoring equipment
and accident reports, for example.
The intelligent box
With the inBin, the Fraunhofer IML and
the Chair of Materials Handling and
Warehousing of the TU Dortmund have
developed the first real intelligent
bin. inBin communicates with people
and machines, makes decisions
independently, monitors environmental
conditions and controls logistics
processes. The intelligent
bin uses inverted light barriers to locate
its position and integrated sensors
to measure important environmental
parameters such as air temperature. The
inBin can therefore decide whether it is
at the right location in a complex storage
systemwith different climate zones. What
makes the intelligent bin truly special is its
ability not only to communicate with other
inBins in order to optimise the logistics
process, but also to establish contact
with humans. In doing so, the intelligent
bin establishes a connection between
humans and the Internet of Things.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) deals with the
question of how intelligent behaviour
can be automated. However, scientists
are having difficulty agreeing on a single
term, as there is no unique definition
for the term “intelligence”. In research
and development, AI refers to the
creation of a form of intelligence with
human like traits. Examples include
computers which find solutions to
problems independently. However,
in many cases – computer games
being a good example – the concept of
artificial intelligence is used to describe
an assumed pseudo intelligence that
uses simple programs to mimic
intelligent human behaviour patterns.
inBin: The intelligent bin is
able to manage and control
the entire picking process.
Issue 23 trends in automation
Impulse 16 – 17