Machines that understand what their human teammates are doing could boost productivity without taking jobs.
—for example, to move shelves stacked with goods to within reach of human workers—Proteus can navigate through areas in which people are working. It uses sensors to look out for humans or other obstacles, and stops if it detects that it might bump into someone.
Robust AI is targeting its technology at smaller warehouses that don’t currently use much automation., an assistant professor at UC Santa Barbara who studies how organizations use AI and robotics, and who has consulted for Robust AI, says many companies are unable to completely redesign their operations around conventional automation that doesn’t mix well with people.
Brooks' latest robot already makes for a great demo, but it will have to help more companies leap into automation to succeed.