Video of the Week: Researchers Develop Algorithm to Help Self-Driving Cars Navigate Narrow Streets
It is a scenario familiar to anyone who has driven down a crowded, narrow street. Parked cars line both sides, and there isn't enough space for vehicles traveling in both directions to pass each other. One has to duck into a gap in the parked cars or slow and pull over as far as possible for the other to squeeze by.
Drivers find a way to negotiate this, but not without close calls and frustration. Programming an autonomous vehicle (AV) to do the same — without a human behind the wheel or knowledge of what the other driver might do — presented a unique challenge for researchers at the Carnegie Mellon University Argo AI Center for Autonomous Vehicle Research.
Robotics-World News
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Fetch Robotics, Körber Announce New Case Picking Solution
Fetch Robotics and Körber have announced a new integrated case pick-to-pallet solution that combines Fetch’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with Körber’s warehouse management systems. The offering dynamically orchestrates the movement of warehouse associates and robots (the Freight500 and Freight1500) to assist distribution centers with picking workflows.
The companies said warehouse needs have risen dramatically over the past year due to a surge in consumer spending and distribution centers facing longstanding labor challenges. This includes hiring and retaining skilled staff, accommodating seasonal fluctuations, and relying on temporary workers to operate forklifts.
“Warehouses today are contending with record order volumes and limited access to labor, and need flexible solutions more than ever before,” said Stefan Nusser, chief product officer at Fetch Robotics. “Our new case picking solution enables customers to achieve safer, more efficient case picking in facilities of all sizes.”
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Lyft, Ford Motor Company and Argo AI have announced that its commercialized autonomous ride hailing services will be deployed by the end of 2021. Initial deployments are scheduled for Miami, Fla., to be followed by Austin, Texas, the companies said in a statement.
Technology market advisory firm ABI Research has predicted that the consumer robotics and smart appliance market will generate $80 billion in revenues in 2021, up 40% over 2020 revenues. Much of this continues to be a result of the boost in consumer spending on home technology due to the pandemic.
