Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced the development of a method that simplifies whole-body manipulation tasks for robots. The team said the discovery could decrease energy consumption, reduce costs, streamline manufacturing processes, and improve robotic exploration missions to other planets.
Although humans can easily use their bodies to manipulate objects, robots must consider countless possible contact points between their various body parts and an object. The researchers used an artificial intelligence (AI) method called “smoothing,” which condenses numerous contact events into more manageable decisions. This allows a simple algorithm to select a manipulation strategy for the robot more rapidly.
With this approach, factories could employ small, mobile robots capable of using their complete arms or bodies for object manipulation. The technique could also prove helpful for exploration missions, where robots rely on onboard computers to adapt to unpredictable environments quickly.
The researchers acknowledged that the technique is in its early stages and faces challenges when dealing with highly dynamic motions, such as falling objects. Additionally, the method would not allow a robot to throw an object into a trash can. However, the team said they plan to enhance their method for such motions.
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Image Credit: MIT
