Multi-agent path finding (MAPF) is an abstract model for the navigation of multiple robots in warehouse automation, where multiple robots plan collision-free paths from the start to goal positions. Reinforcement learning (RL) has been employed to develop partially observable distributed MAPF policies that can be scaled to any number of agents. However, RL-based MAPF policies often get agents stuck in deadlock due to warehouse automation's dense and structured obstacles. This paper proposes a novel hybrid MAPF policy, RDE, based on switching among the RL-based MAPF policy, the Distance heat map (DHM)-based policy and the Escape policy. The RL-based policy is used for coordination among agents. In contrast, when no other agents are in the agent's field of view, it can get the next action by querying the DHM. The escape policy that randomly selects valid actions can help agents escape the deadlock. We conduct simulations on warehouse-like structured grid maps using state-of-the-art RL-based MAPF policies (DHC and DCC), which show that RDE can significantly improve their performance.

Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart Inc. and a leading membership warehouse club, announced the national, chain-wide roll out of Inventory Scan that will be added to their existing fleet of robotic scrubbers in partnership with Brain Corp and Tennant Company. The rollout marks the largest and fastest technology deployment undertaken by Brain Corp, an artificial intelligence (AI) company creating transformative core technology in robotics, and the first commercial application of its inventory scanning technology anywhere in the world.

I have been using ChatGPT and Bing Chat for several weeks now and yes, it is enormously useful for many things. While its accuracy must be checked (it sometimes does find old data or misrepresent data, as the 60 Minutes show pointed out), it is enormously valuable for finding complex information, putting comparisons together (ie. "What does Josh Bersin do for a living?"). I have also seen vendors use it to generate learning plans, management coaching tips, and Q&A systems (a la teaching assistants). And with Microsoft's announcement this week of Co-Pilots and development tools to build Generative AI chatbots for business apps and internal data, you can create these kinds of benefits for your own company.

The actions look something like those of an amusement park claw game, except they are executed rapidly and smoothly, just like the countless movements that workers undertake to pick and pack millions of online orders each day in warehouses across the world. Top news and in-depth analysis on the world of logistics, from supply chain to transport and technology. But the robotic device, known as Sparrow, is outfitted with suction cups and artificial intelligence software rather than the eyes and hands of human workers. It is the latest attempt by Amazon. Warehouse workers pick items up, sort them and put them down millions of times a day. But Amazon is trying to get Sparrow to do something that robots have long struggled with--picking up a variety of objects as easily as humans can, as well as identifying them by characteristics such as color, shape and size.

Welcome to Episode 95 of The Robot Report Podcast, which brings conversations with robotics innovators straight to you. This week, cohosts Steve Crowe and Mike Oitzman discuss the recent unveiling of the Tesla Optimus bipedal robot at the Tesla AI Days 2022 event. We also learn about the latest in warehouse and logistics automation in an interview with Swisslog USA President, Markus Schmidt. If you would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode of the podcast, or if you have recommendations for future guests or segment ideas, contact Steve Crowe or Mike Oitzman.

Robots have come a long way from their origination to today where they are capable of doing almost any task. Robotics technology has changed the picture of the current world. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come a long way, and now robots are more evolved than ever. AI-powered robots are based on the principles of human intelligence are defined as the way in which machines imitate human intelligence to perform simple and complex tasks. Like in any other industry, AI-powered robots have become an essential part of the warehousing industry as well.

I have loved science fiction ever since I was a kid and read all my Dad's ancient issues of Analog Science Fiction and Fact from the 1940s. The first book I can remember reading was The Green Hills of Earth anthology by Robert Heinlein. Fast forward to the 1990s, when, as a new professor of computer science, I began adding sci-fi short stories and movies as extra credit for my AI and robotics courses. Later as a Faculty Fellow for Innovation in High-Impact Learning Experiences at Texas A&M, I created the Robotics Through Science Fiction book series as a companion to my textbook, Introduction to AI Robotics. A Firby-like robot pet becomes an international fad, where a "keeper" buys a little wheeled robot and is randomly paired with a "dweller" who teleoperates the robot.

Imagine an automated software that can keep a check on the vaccination data for COVID19. Many of you might be already tapping that nostalgic feel of star wars robotic characters, but "Olive" is developed around reducing repetitive tasks at hospitals. It is a concept that fuses deep learning and computer vision to automate repetitive tasks like documentation, seeking approval before surgeries, and more. Such concepts can be leveraged to document vaccinations across the world. But, robotic applications are not limited to automation in repetitive tasks, and the kiosks from Sanofi are one example. The pharmaceutical giant has created an autonomous inoculation booth like a photo booth.

If you have already looked at how to invest in robotics stock and perused a list of the biggest robotics stocks, it's now time to take a look at five stocks that give investors the best way to play the theme of rising adoption of robotics automation. Let's take a look at five of the top companies playing the field of robotics and why their stocks are attractive for investors. Deere (NYSE:DE), an agricultural and construction machinery equipment manufacturer, might not be the first name that springs to mind when looking at robotics automation stocks; however, the Internet of Things (IoT) and the increasing use of automation will be key drivers of Deere's growth in the future. The company's core business is agricultural machinery. To be clear, a stock that operates in the farming sector will always be susceptible to the vagaries of the industry.

The deal reminds us of Amazon's 2012 purchase of Kiva Systems, which kick-started an arms race to automate supply chains, warehouses, and fulfillment centers. In fact, since the inception of the ROBO Global Robotics & Automation Index, logistics and warehouse automation has been its best performing subsector, returning over 220%, including more than 30% so far in 2019. With 4 deals in the past 12 months, Shopify has been on a bona fide acquisition spree. That said, the 6 River acquisition is its first warehouse fulfillment-related deal, and may well be the most important acquisition to date in the company's quest to transition into a global retail operating system that spans global fulfillment and brick-and-mortar operations from a single e-commerce platform solution provider. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Massachusetts, 6 River Systems provides collaborative mobile robots to enhance warehouse fulfillment solutions.