I did not know this technology was so far advanced

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around advanced robotic technologies, particularly focusing on robotic systems used in manufacturing and packaging, such as Flex Pickers and robot dogs. Participants share videos and express their thoughts on the implications and efficiency of these technologies, as well as their personal interests in robotics and AI.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express fascination with robotic technologies, sharing videos of Flex Pickers and robot dogs, highlighting their advanced capabilities.
  • There are humorous remarks about the efficiency of packaging systems, particularly regarding the mixing of different types of muffins and sausages, with some questioning the logic behind it.
  • Concerns are raised about the efficiency of robotic systems, with some suggesting that the vision systems used may not be optimal for sorting products.
  • Participants discuss the potential for careers in robotics and AI for those with a physics background, with mixed opinions on the necessity of specific degrees.
  • Some participants propose that programming imperfections into robotic systems could enhance the packaging process, while others speculate on the reasons for products being skipped in the process.
  • There is a light-hearted exchange about the implications of robots replacing human workers, with philosophical references to the nature of work.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share an interest in robotic technologies, but there are differing views on the efficiency and effectiveness of current systems, as well as the educational paths necessary for careers in robotics and AI. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal design and functionality of these robotic systems.

Contextual Notes

Participants express various assumptions about the capabilities of robotic systems, the efficiency of packaging processes, and the educational requirements for working in robotics and AI. Some technical details about vision systems and sorting algorithms are mentioned but not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in robotics, AI, manufacturing technologies, and those considering educational paths in physics or engineering may find this discussion relevant.

glondor
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Computer science news on Phys.org
mmmm pain au chocolade.
 
Very cool.

Robot dog:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5349770802105160028&q=robot+dog&total=2201&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

This is why I do controls engineering.
 
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Wow I never though muffin organization could be so cool...Does this make me a nerd?
 
I love muffins.
 
Cyrus said:
Very cool.

Robot dog:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5349770802105160028&q=robot+dog&total=2201&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

This is why I do controls engineering.

You just want to test how it recovers when it jumps from a speeding car. :wink:
 
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How it's Made a program on the Discovery Channel shows all kinds of robotic manufacturing technology. There are a lot of videos from the program on Youtube. Sometimes it is more interesting to watch something that is still hand made.:wink:
 
This one's pretty cool:

"Self-assembling self-replicating robots"
 
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  • #10
Mk said:
This one's pretty cool:

"Self-assembling self-replicating robots"


Can they make cookies? :wink:
 
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  • #11
Sort of off topic, but if I get a bachelors in physics, can I still end up working on robots or AI? I am still really interested in that, but not sure what to do if I want to pursue that further.
 
  • #12
Seems kind of inefficient to me. I mean, they package those nice yummy chocolate muffins with the boring chocolate chip ones...what a waste. :rolleyes: :biggrin:

(I noticed a few sausages escaping earlier in the video too.)
 
  • #13
You would definitely like the tv show how its made. The title is self explanatory.
 
  • #14
The sausage picking was kinda scary. I had this image of a company office party. Drunken coworkers sneak off to the assembly line room for a romantic interlude. Long story short: naked man + accidentally activated sausage picker. I'll leave the resulting newspaper headline to your imaginations.
 
  • #15
I am pretty sure that the machines are very gentle. I mean, the muffins and sausages aren't damaged.
 
  • #16
Poop-Loops said:
I am pretty sure that the machines are very gentle. I mean, the muffins and sausages aren't damaged.

One hopes!
 
  • #17
Poop-Loops said:
Sort of off topic, but if I get a bachelors in physics, can I still end up working on robots or AI? I am still really interested in that, but not sure what to do if I want to pursue that further.
If you have a passion for something and you're intelligent, you can end up doing it. If you want to be designing robots or AI though, that sounds like computer science and programming.
 
  • #18
Mk said:
and you're intelligent

Damn. :frown:
 
  • #19
Poop, do they have any AI classes at your school? Could you fit one into your schedule just to try it out?
 
  • #20
Moonbear said:
Seems kind of inefficient to me. I mean, they package those nice yummy chocolate muffins with the boring chocolate chip ones...what a waste. :rolleyes: :biggrin:

(I noticed a few sausages escaping earlier in the video too.)

I would suspect that the vision system detected some flaw, making them unsuitable for packaging, those must be headed for the recycle line.
 
  • #21
Poop-Loops said:
Sort of off topic, but if I get a bachelors in physics, can I still end up working on robots or AI? I am still really interested in that, but not sure what to do if I want to pursue that further.


Be careful, you may get what you ask for. I work with robots, I have a BS in physics. HOWEVER, you do not need a Physics, or any other degree. Most of the people I work with have AA's in electronics.

I think that, for the most part, you would find industrial robots to be pretty boring.

Now the vision system that directs those muffin and sausage graping robots must be something to behold. All our vision system does is find a small circle, we have trouble keeping them going reliably. I cannot imagine what it takes to teach a vision system to recognize a bad muffin as different from a good one.
 
  • #22
Integral said:
Now the vision system that directs those muffin and sausage graping robots must be something to behold. All our vision system does is find a small circle, we have trouble keeping them going reliably. I cannot imagine what it takes to teach a vision system to recognize a bad muffin as different from a good one.

Not really a big deal: Size parameters and color.

But, in these sorts of applications the strategy can very complicated. In some systems that I've worked with where the product stream is highly irregular, the system had to scan the field and determine the sequence needed to catch all product before it passes the work zone. I have worked on applications where there is a Ph.D. that does nothing but these sorts of calculations - the salesman problem, I guess.
 
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  • #23
Math Is Hard said:
Poop, do they have any AI classes at your school?
So we're calling him Poop now?
 
  • #24
Mk said:
So we're calling him Poop now?

Excuse me. Mr. Loops, I meant to say. :redface:
 
  • #25
Moonbear said:
Seems kind of inefficient to me. I mean, they package those nice yummy chocolate muffins with the boring chocolate chip ones...what a waste. :rolleyes: :biggrin:

(I noticed a few sausages escaping earlier in the video too.)

I was kind of thinking that, myself. Packaging the chocolate with the chocolate chip ones is okay, but they should program in some imperfections using a Gaussian distribution. A little less perfect robot that sometimes packaged 3 chocolate with one chocolate chip or 3 choc chip with 1 chocolate would be nice. And being able to find a rare all chocolate one or an all chocolate chip one would be a great find!

(And I'm not sure the escaping sausages were flawed, since the escaping ones were always located about the same location on the belt. Edit: Actually, that's not true. Once way over on the left got skipped, too. I think it's because there was no room on the belt the sausages were being placed on. Too many sausages were on the belt in too short of a time.)
 
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  • #26
BobG said:
I was kind of thinking that, myself. Packaging the chocolate with the chocolate chip ones is okay, but they should program in some imperfections using a Gaussian distribution. A little less perfect robot that sometimes packaged 3 chocolate with one chocolate chip or 3 choc chip with 1 chocolate would be nice. And being able to find a rare all chocolate one or an all chocolate chip one would be a great find!

(And I'm not sure the escaping sausages were flawed, since the escaping ones were always located about the same location on the belt. Edit: Actually, that's not true. Once way over on the left got skipped, too. I think it's because there was no room on the belt the sausages were being placed on. Too many sausages were on the belt in too short of a time.)
My money stays on skipped for a reason. Whatever, the end result is still the recycle line.
 
  • #27
Nice soon they will replace all workers and free us up to do more important things, like watching tv and using the internet and reading and stuff.

Work both absorbs and degrades the mind.

Socrates I think?

Although I doubt he was thinking of particle physics or advanced neurosurgery.
 
  • #28
Math Is Hard said:
Excuse me. Mr. Loops, I meant to say. :redface:

I hope to be Dr. Loops some day. :grin:

I'll be taking more Comp Sci classes next year when I have my GRE out of the way. Just labs and electives. I'll try to get into an AI class then.

Integral said:
Be careful, you may get what you ask for. I work with robots, I have a BS in physics. HOWEVER, you do not need a Physics, or any other degree. Most of the people I work with have AA's in electronics.

I think that, for the most part, you would find industrial robots to be pretty boring.

Yeah, I suppose I am being caught up in the 1% of robotics that pushes the edge (like military, Asimo, or those cube things) and forgetting that 99% is pretty mundane, but vital, applications like assembly line robots.
 
  • #29
That's why studying computer science and then knowing a friend can get you straight to the top.
 

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