autonomous mobile robots

Jim Lawton, VP and GM of Robotics Automation at Zebra Technologies, met the founder of Roomba, Rodney Brooks, at MIT nearly three decades ago. It inspired a lifetime passion for  robots that help humans. Since then, he has influenced generations of robotic automation technology at companies from Rethink Robotics to Zebra Technologies. This is a fascinating discussion that will make you reconsider what robots can do and why humans shouldn't feel threatened by them. 

Listen and learn...

1. How Jim cultivated a passion for robots... and why that makes him "the cool dad"
2.  How innovation in robotic technology is helping AMRs, autonomous mobile robots, perform more human-like tasks with less training
3. Which "dirty, dull, dangerous" tasks are the best candidates for robotic automation 
4. How new training techniques are reducing the time required to train a robot from 300 hours to a fraction of that  which "democratizes automation"  
5. What's required to keep humans safe from robots
6. How supplementing humans with robots for a task like picking items from warehouse shelves using machine vision saves 12-15 miles of walking per day while increasing accuracy
7. How techniques like SLAM and machine learning are making it easier to program robots to do more complex tasks more accurately with zero or minimal coding
8. Which new careers will be created by industrial robots... and which will be eliminated
9. Two quick ways to know if a factory using robots and humans is safe 
10. Why Jim's passion is using robots to help people be their best selves

References in this episode:

• The Zebra blog
• Tiernan Ray discusses bot sentience on AI and the Future of Work
• Is Google's LaMDA sentient?
• Machines will out-perform humans in all tasks within 45 years... which is a good thing for us

In this episode of the Embedded Insiders, Brandon and Rich wonder if residential solar power is really worth it. The question stems from Littelfuses’ release of 400PV Fuse series of photovoltaic solar fuses, which can be embedded directly into roof shingles or tiles. But with so much government meddling in the solar industry, and big energy looking to protect its existing interests, is it prudent, or even worth it, to bother with the technology? 

Later, the last leg of our ADLINK Technology edge AI series sees Zane Tsai, Director of the company’s Platform Product Center, join Rich to discuss why the massive amounts of data being collected by intelligent systems requires an entire ecosystem. Looking forward, this edge AI ecosystem will also include 5G.

Finally, despite all of the downs in 2020, Xilinx was actually up. Victor Peng, the company’s CEO, attributes some of this success to big wins in AI sockets. But beyond innovations in their Adaptive Compute Acceleration Platform (ACAP) portfolio, he and his team have bet big on making their technology more accessible, and it appears to be paying off. Tiera Oliver reports.

Tune in for more.

For more information, visit embeddedcomputing.com

In this episode of the Embedded Insiders, Brandon and Rich discuss Silicon Laboratories recent divestiture of its infrastructure and automotive business units to SkyWorks Solutions. The sale includes the company’s power, isolation, broadcast, timing, and other products and IP. Silicon Labs CEO Tyson Tuttle said several years ago that the company is “all-in” on IoT, and this move appears to be him keeping his word. But was it the best move?

Afterwards, Rich is rejoined by Zane Tsai, Director of the Platform Product Center at ADLINK, and Amit Goel, Director of Product Management for Embedded AI Platforms at NVIDIA. After discussing enabling technologies in previous episodes, the three get down to how this functionality can be applied to autonomous mobile robots. The market opportunity for AMRs is vast, but so are the challenges. The three dive into a collaboration between ADLINK, NVIDIA, and BMW to increase productivity, improve efficiency, and reduce cost in the German automakers manufacturing facilities.

Finally, Perry Cohen investigates the long tail of the ongoing semiconductor shortage, and how market dynamics that limited the supply of multi-layer ceramic capacitors back in 2018 are playing out again in the broader electronics market. Of all the sectors feeling the squeeze, none has been pinched more than automotive. Why is that, what can be done about it, and how long until things are back to normal? Richard Barnett of SupplyFrame helps explain that our definition of normal may need to change.

For more information, visit embeddedcomputing.com

In this episode host Kevin Lawton talks to the CEO of AutoGuide Mobile Robots, Rob Sullivan. They discuss AutoGuide's business during the pandemic, their new Mobile ASRS, their new MAX-N High Bay and their modular robot platform.

Utilize our 3PL fulfillment services for all of your logistical needs. Email Kevin directly at kevin@thenewwarehouse.com

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In this episode host Kevin Lawton talks to Josh Cloer of Mobile Industrial Robots at MODEX 2020. They discuss MiR's autonomous, collaborative and open platform, what MODEX attendees are most interested in and also safety measures that are being put in place with AMRs.

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In this episode, guest Gillan Hawkes, VP of product management and analytics at 6 River Systems, discusses how autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) help distributors meet surging demand, while offering other benefits during the pandemic and beyond.

The new Logistics Managers' Index is out, and it shows a huge spike in logistics growth. Does it foretell a busy and possibly chaotic holiday peak season this year?

And we look at how retailers are relying on marketplaces to handle their online sales due to a lack of their own e-commerce capabilities. Is this a sustainable model for these retailers?

Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:

• 6 River Systems website
• September LMI reaches highest level in two years
• Online marketplaces seize growing revenue share during pandemic e-commerce boom
• DC VELOCITY's Covid-19 coverage
• Visit DCVelocity.com for the latest news. 
• Send feedback about this podcast to podcast@dcvelocity.com.

Podcast sponsored by DCV-TV

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• Top 10 Supply Chain Management Podcasts

In this episode, host Kevin Lawton talks to the found of the Mobile Robot Guide, Mike Oitzman. They discuss Mike's background, how the Mobile Robot Guide got started and the latest 2020 Warehouse Solution Buyer's Guide.

Get the Warehouse Solution Buyer's Guide here and use promo code WAREHOUSEPOD10 for 10% off. 

Utilize our 3PL fulfillment services for all of your logistical needs. Email Kevin directly at kevin@thenewwarehouse.com

Free floor tape and floor sign samples from Mighty Line! Get yours here.

Follow us on LinkedIn here for more content.