Category: Business

Simulating robotic biomass collection

January 24, 2021

Sometimes it is not possible to the real-world evaluation of robotics solutions. This can be due to time, economy or in our case – the weather. In order to mitigate this, a virtual environment representing a test site was programmed in Unity which is a cross-platform game engine developed by Unity Technologies. Simulation is becoming an increasingly important part of robotic application development and validating applications in simulation before deploying to the robot can shorten iteration time by revealing potential issues early. Although the simulated environment in this case is a simplified model of the real world, it can be used to compare the performance of different autonomous navigation methods.

The model of the harbor was based on a drone photo which constituted the model and the underlaying plane of the simulation environment.

The model consisted of the following objects:

  • A 3D model of a WasteShark provided by RanMarine
  • Models of biomass
  • 3D models of boats
  • 3D models of piers surrounding the harbor and boat walks
  • Virtual waypoints for navigation purpose

WasteShark. The WasteShark was modelled using a 3D CAD-model of the WasteShark-platform which was provided by RanMarine. The steering behavior was modelled to resemble the real platform, making is able to move forwards and backwards while rotating around its own axis.

Collection of algae was simulated by using Unity built-in collision detection. When the WasteShark collided with biomass, this counted as a collection of the biomass. This only happened, when the WasteShark was moving forward representing the opening of the platform which is only at one side.

The size of the WasteShark was scaled to represent the corresponding size in the harbor, based on the drone-photo. The speed of the vessel however was arbitrary, as only comparison between different navigation plans (not the absolute values) are of primary interest here.

Talk at Employment and Integration Administration in Copenhagen Municipality

January 27, 2020

Employees in the Employment and Integration Administration became more aware of digitisation and robot technology when robot and machine learning expert Søren Tranberg Hansen gave a presentation at Jobcenter Copenhagen. Søren brought the robot Pepper to demonstrate the limitations of the robots: Pepper can find answers to what he’s coded for, but if you ask him a question he’s not prepared for, you won’t get a word out of him. So the reality is far from the horror scenario that we know from the Terminator? The job centre already has good experience in the use of robotics. It’s not a physical robot like Pepper, though. Because in the autumn, the job centre was given ASTA, a programme that can quickly find relevant information in a case. This means that in the long term the job consultants can spend more time on the citizen and less time on the preparation. ASTA is only one initiative out of many in an ambitious digitisation strategy that will be implemented in management in the coming years.

Robots at the Danish Chamber of Commerce

October 3, 2018

The Danish Chamber of Commerce is the network for Trade, IT, Industry and Service in Denmark.

On October 3 2018, the Danish Chamber of Commerce opened the doors to Advisor Day 18, which focused on the future labor market and skills. In focus among other things, was n what new technologies mean for the Danish and international labor market and delve into some of the trends in the advisory industry that we are currently witnessing.

Søren Tranberg gave a tech talk on what robotics will impact advisor business.

Automation, employment, and productivity

March 11, 2017

A new analysis form McKinsey is an in-depth study on the effects of increased automation:

Advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are ushering in a new age of automation, as machines match or outperform human performance in a range of work activities, including ones requiring cognitive capabilities. In this report, part of our ongoing research into the future of work, we analyze the automation potential of the global economy, the factors that will determine the pace and extent of workplace adoption, and the economic impact associated with its potential.

Get the full report here

Kickstarting 2017 with a City Mayor, a Rock Band and a Robot

January 5, 2017

Aarhus will be European Capital of Culture in 2017 with the overall theme Rethink. As a testimonial of that, Mayor Jacob Bundsgaard greeted the guests welcome at the annual business event at Aarhus City Hall together with the robot Pepper.

At the event, it was highlighted how Aarhus continuously will work with a stronger international profile, a climate plan and how to develop and attract talent and employees.

The event was kicked off with the cool young rock band Velvet Volume. Nice way to start 2017!

A trip into the future with Pepper

December 15, 2016

Friday the 9th of December, the Danish high school Alssundgymnasiet took a trip into the future. The regular schedule was cleared and replaced by workshops and lectures on artificial intelligence and robotics.

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The Pepper robot take center stage

November 19, 2016

Pepper was the center of attention at the event Local Rock Stars in Aarhus. This one-day conference, is a partnership between companied in and around Aarhus. The purpose is to share knowledge and insights with it-professionals and students. Søren Tranberg Hansen from BrainBotics made the final keynote about robotics and AI at the event.

http://internetweekdenmark.com/2016/local-rock-stars

BrainBotics at Industry 4.0 conference

November 7, 2016

organised by Innovation Centre Denmark, Ministry for Science and Higher Education and Invest in Denmark.

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