Photo: Fraunhofer IML
behaviour using mathematics and
information technology. Strong AI, on
the other hand, involves the develop-
ment 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 con-
sciousness, 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. Hase-
gawa 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 monitor-
ing equipment and accident reports, for
example.
The intelligent box
With the inBin, the Fraunhofer IML and the
Chair of Materials Handling and Warehous-
ing of the TU Dortmund have developed
the first real intelligent bin. inBin communi-
cates 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 crea-
tion 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.
2.2012
trends in automation
Impulse
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