Video Transcript
A leading manufacturer of vehicle tires could soon expand into robotics after its engineers developed a gripping mechanism with “human”-like dexterity.
Bridgestone earlier this year unveiled a prototype smart gripper attached to a robotic arm. The device, which features four rubber actuators operating as its “fingers,” was developed internally using the company’s expertise in material science and hydraulic hose systems.
The same day, Bridgestone also announced a multi-million dollar investment in Ascent Robotics, a Tokyo company led by Ken Kutaragi, who is considered the developer of Sony’s PlayStation game system. Ascent will reportedly develop the “brain functions” of the system. Its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities will allow it to recognize different objects.
Company officials, according to reports in its native Japan, hope the technology can address a shortage of workers in logistics facilities, where it could work alongside humans and other machines successfully grabbing, moving, and placing items as fragile as a carton of eggs.
The system could become commercially available as soon as next year.
