Networks of robots │ 5-Minute Science You Never Knew
What happens when robots talk to one another without a human present?
Will we still be able to control them?
Yes, says Milan Groshev, a researcher on 5G-DIVE, the EU industrial robotics project. In fact, robots are now learning to ask people for help in solving robot problems.
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ZOEY
Hi everyone. Welcome to ‘5-minute Science You Never Knew.’
Today we are talking to researcher Milan Groshev whose work is focused on networks of robots. I'll say it again, networks of robots.
So, Milan, tell us about your work.
MILAN
Hi Zoe, I'd be delighted to.
In recent years, we've been witnessing the growth of cloud for storing and accessing data and applications over the internet. This presents an opportunity to put robot applications in the cloud and access them over the internet. The Google self-driving car is an example of this. It uses maps, camera vision and driving trajectories collected in the cloud to know the precise location of the car, and therefore navigate it on its own.
We've always been able to control robots remotely in order to perform different types of tasks, such as movement, flying a drone, video surveillance, inspection deep underwater or even space missions.
But now, using coordinated sensors, embedded computers and even people, a new generation of network robot is being born. Together, they can perform tasks that are far beyond the abilities of a single robot or multiple uncoordinated robots. Robotics is expanding in several directions today, and the applications that are envisioned are numerous and diverse.
We expect robotics to be more pervasive in the near future. It will be present in our homes for cooking, cleaning and also as companions in our offices, hospitals, streets, even maybe conducting an orchestra.
ZOEY
That sounds really powerful Milan. So, what about this piece of your work?
MILAN
As a researcher at the University Carlos III in Madrid. I am exploring the use of intelligent 5G solutions that integrate edge computing to understand how we can improve today's robotic systems.
Edge computing provides computing capabilities close to the end user, ideal for mobile robots, because it offers an ultra-low latency environment in the range of 10 milliseconds with high bandwidth and real-time access to radio and network analytics. This is what we call intelligent edge computing. It can be applied to dynamic environmental changes where fast reaction from the robot is required. All the algorithms that control the robot can now be placed in the intelligent edge.
My research is funded with 5G Dive, one of the European Horizon 2020 projects in which we are implementing and testing applications such as digital twin and zero-defect manufacturing, applications that can help humans in a day-to-day operation and help us implement the idea of a smart factory.
ZOEY
So, if there is one more message that you want the audience to take away, what would it be?
MILAN
It is in the future. It will be the robots who are going to need the help of humans, not the other way around. Imagine a scenario where errors and exceptions are detected by robots which then contact humans that are in a remote call centre.
This way, it's the robots that are calling on human skills, experience and intuition to help solve problems. That is what we call people helping robots helping people.
ZOEY
That's fascinating, let's all help each other, including the robots. Thank you so much for your time Milan. I hope to see you again soon, bye.
MILAN
Thank you very much for having me.
