NEC Corporation’s Groundbreaking AI Technology for Robotics
NEC Corporation, a leading technology company based in Tokyo, Japan, has announced the development of groundbreaking AI technology for robotics that allows for autonomous and advanced handling of disorderly placed items. This cutting-edge technology, known as “World Models,” enables robots to perform precise actions in response to their environment, greatly improving productivity and work-styles.
In recent years, the demand for automation has been on the rise in logistics warehouses and factories, driven by labor shortages and other factors. However, the existing robotics technologies have struggled to recognize and navigate unorganized and disorderly environments, making it necessary to create a more conducive setting for robots to operate. As a result, the use of robots has been limited to simple, routine tasks.
NEC’s new AI technology for robotics is a game-changer in this space. It consists of two key components: “Spatiotemporal Prediction” and “Robot Motion Generation.” The former allows robots to accurately predict their work environment and the results of their actions based on camera data, while the latter generates optimal and precise actions based on these predictions. NEC’s research indicates that this is the world’s first technology of its kind to be applied to robot operations.
One of the major advantages of NEC’s AI technology is its ability to autonomously execute precise actions on items of various shapes and sizes. The World Models enable robots to accurately predict the outcome of their actions on different objects through camera data analysis, allowing for actions such as pushing and pulling with great precision. Additionally, the technology allows robots to seamlessly perform combinations of multiple actions, such as placing and pushing or pulling and picking up, in real-time.
Another key feature of NEC’s AI technology is its capability to operate while predicting hidden or invisible items. In environments where objects are closely arranged or disorderly piled up, humans can naturally predict the presence of hidden areas and act accordingly. NEC’s technology brings this ability to robots through unsupervised learning, allowing them to efficiently learn prediction models of hidden object shapes. This enables robots to predict the work environment accurately and generate optimal actions that avoid collisions with other objects or obstacles.
Looking ahead, NEC plans to test this technology in logistics warehouses and other relevant sites by the end of 2024. By promoting the widespread adoption of this technology across industries with high automation needs, NEC aims to contribute to improved productivity and work style reform.
NEC Corporation has built a reputation as a leader in integrating IT and network technologies with its brand statement of “Orchestrating a brighter world.” The company endeavors to enable businesses and communities to adapt to rapid changes in society and the market, promoting values of safety, security, fairness, and efficiency. This ultimately aims to create a more sustainable world where individuals have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Analyst comment
Positive news: NEC Corporation has announced the development of groundbreaking AI technology for robotics that allows for autonomous and advanced handling of disorderly placed items. This technology enables robots to perform precise actions in response to their environment, greatly improving productivity and work-styles. NEC plans to test this technology in logistics warehouses and other relevant sites by the end of 2024, aiming to contribute to improved productivity and work style reform. This could lead to increased efficiency and automation in industries with high automation needs.
