Monday, May 1, 2017

RETHINKING: Robots In The Room



Dear Friends:

When I was a child, I enjoyed building machines with a Mecanno using metal components, screws and a series of mechanic pieces. One day, I used all the same elements to make a humanoid with metal legs, arms, hands and an electric engine to move it from one side to another. This was my first intent to build a robot.

Step by step, I learned that robots are more than “machines” or “warriors” of the fiction-sciences movies.

They can make a lot of work that are tedious, heavy or risky for the human beings and they have something like an intelligent mind.

They are not humans, but they can act like human workers or better than them in a lot of fields.

They say: “Hello!”, “Welcome” …”, “Welcome Mr. Smith”. (They learn names of people; recognize one individual in a group; speak different languages…)

Till now, there are serious questions about their future role in our world. (Will they take our jobs? Will they take our places? ...)

We know that the factories that automate with robots, they reduce the number of workers in a remarkable way. And robots work also in the Japanese airports as public relations assistants.

In this moment that a lot of people make a series of philosophical questions about robots, we find robots working in factories, airports and offices.

During the last few days, Hannover Messe 2017 – the traditional fair the industry of Germany – was full of robots.

Like every year at this time, the German fair of the industry was held in the city of Hanover with conferences and exhibitions about the factories of the future, new tools, smart materials and all about industrial automation. (In English “Hannover” is Hanover.)

Computers and artificial intelligence came from the hands of IBM, Intel, GE, Siemens, SAP, Cisco, Microsoft and other strong players of enterprise systems.

Robotics also was present together with the automation systems and with experts like Kuka, ABB, Bosh and Mitsubishi.

This time, robots were everywhere across the different pavilions of this huge fair. My small "Mecanno" robot compared with the new generations of robots looks like a prehistoric mouse-skeleton of the cavern times.

Humanoid robots and a series of different robotics arms and devices were present in each room, in each booth with advanced software and applications for all the industrial sectors: automotive, aerospace, electronic, chemical, construction... Also there are new microrobots for specific applications.

The concept of man-machine collaboration has entered in a new integration era with advanced applications of artificial intelligence associated with the robotics, big data and Internet of Things.

Hannover Messe showed how the “cobots” (collaborative robots) can work in the factory plants without protective cages, interacting in the same room where human workers work.

The software helps robots to learn fast how to work efficiently with co-workers.

The cobots are learning to interact with human workers in a “soft way”. They don’t bump against the co-workers. They don’t break fragile materials in the hands. They have sensors that determine reasonable distances like when the human workers work together.

These robots are capable of interpreting human behavior. They learn to work in the same rate than the humans. And they speak the same the language of their co-workers.

Across the booths of Hannover Messe 2017, the exhibitors presented different robotic applications for all the manufacturing sectors.

Cobots have strong arms like the classic robots. But they can determine the proximity of a person or a machine thanks a “smart skin” of built-in sensors.

They can grasp and grip delicate objects or heavy materials always with the sensitivity needed to perform an efficient work and avoiding accidents. And robots can repair robots thanks artificial intelligence software.

The first time in the world, an agency of temporary robot hiring started to offer services for the industry.

An interdisciplinary research team of the Kiel University also made a very original presentation titled; “Robots are following in the footsteps of geckos!”

Dr. Lars Heepe of the Christian-Albrechts-Universität of Kiel showed that his team has studied the walking of this small animal as a model for the development an intelligent, elastic and adhesive material that will allow the robots can walk in the ceiling like geckos.

Other companies at Hannover Messe 2017 introduced different “smart materials” with patterns that come from nature, animals and plants. Materials transform electrical signals or temperature variations into mechanical movements or other physical reactions.

For example, temperature-sensitive wires cause movements under the direct sunlight like when the sunbeam opens the petals of the flowers and turn the direction of flowers and leaves. (A small parasol made with smart materials can open up under direct sunlight.)

Every year, Hannover Messe brings us a lot of innovations for “real-life applications” with new milestones of the evolution of the factory work and the models of industry. (Industry 4.0)

And this year, the “cobots” gave a clear message that technology and robotics are not the enemies of human beings. The robots in the room can share space, work and dialogue with human workers reducing boring jobs and achieving better results.

The last reflection about the new approach that Hannover Messe 2017 showed to the attendees is: Robots are ready to walk hand in hand with Humans to build a better world.


Domingo A. Trassens
WORLD RETHINK
Rethinking the world with you
Twitter page:
(More than 15.5K tweets posted)
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(More than 8700 recommendations received from other members since the new Journal Community started in 2014 and 7900 in the previous JC.)



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MY BLOG COMMENTS

(This is a column written for the former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger about the effort that the German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer made to unify the devastated Europe after WWII.

The opinion of Mr. Kissinger comes in a new crucial moment when Europe is shaking again.)

My opinion: Henry Kissinger is right.  The merit of Konrad Adenauer was the Germany rebuilding for the peace instead of preparing it for a new war. Meanwhile, Adenauer articulated a strong alliance with U.S and two old enemies -France and UK -, stopping the Russian advance to the West.
04/30/2017 12:47:13 PM
4 Recommendations


(This column comments that the investors want the jittery generated by the French election ends soon in a good way.)

My comment: The jittery of the Europe investors will end soon if Emmanuel Macron wins the second round of the French presidential election.

In the case, that Marine Le Pen takes the government, nobody knows how the Frexit will run.
04/30/2017 11:46:47 AM
2 Recommendations


(This is an opinion column of the famous writer Kimberley A. Strassel who says that the “Trump tax-reform is smart policy, but even better politics: It’s a challenge to Congress.”)

My comment: From my perspective, the best of the 100 days were the appointment of Neil Gorsuch as Supreme Court Justice and the resolute attitude after the Syrian chemical attack.

Till now, the tax reform is a paper, a proposal of the White House to Congress. We have to see the new law and its implementation before to express opinion.
04/29/2017 01:53:27 PM
10 Recommendations



My opinion: The first 100 days of President Trump in the White House were not great, but in foreign relations and defense, the image of the country changed in a positive way.

Donald Trump showed to the world that America is a country with courage and initiative.
04/29/2017 01:05:49 PM
3 Recommendations


The Pope Francis’ trip to Egypt is a challenge of the Catholic leader against the religious extremism.

In addition, it has a political meaning for the President Sisi who wants to change the unlucky image of his country after the terrible events of the Arab Spring.
04/29/2017 12:47:57 PM
3 Recommendations


U.S. Secretary Rex Tillerson has a difficult work to achieve an agreement with the block of Russia and China that frequently acts in different direction from the western world. 04/29/2017 06:20:12 AM
2 Recommendations


(This story comments about the financial results posted in the last few days for the father of Google (Alphabet) and Amazon.

It also says that Intel and Microsoft published good quarterly reports thanks better sales of PCs and cloud computing services.

Everybody is waiting the revenues and incomes of Apple and Facebook that are coming in the new week.)

My comment: Alphabet and Amazon have steam for long distance trips. Both drive businesses that generate plentiful revenues.
04/28/2017 11:00:25 PM
2 Recommendations


(This column analyzes the “calculated rise” of the former economy minister of President Hollande who felt disappointment with the way that the French President was running the country and left the Socialist government to create his own centrist government.)

My comment: Emmanuel Macron is a brilliant brain with exquisite passionate style and the vital energy of a gladiator. He can rebuild France or destroy it forever.

(A group of readers of Wall Street Journal agrees with my opinion and some of them think that maybe Macron can destroy France forever.

All my recent comments about Emmanuel Macron in Twitter had generated a lot impressions and "Like" (or Favorite) points.

Emmanuel Macron is married with his teacher when he has 15, a romance that shows the strong passions that push to this politician who made a fast career in the financial sector and he also plays piano.

When President Hollande criticized him, Mr. Macron answered that to be minister of a government is not to be a servant of the president.)
04/28/2017 10:27:39 PM
5 Recommendations


Despite "green party" activists, America is not a country of small cars.

The Americans from the countryside enjoy driving pickup trucks and SUVs.
04/28/2017 02:53:57 PM

(A reader of Wall Street Journal answered to my comment saying the average Americans don’t enter in the “small cars”. This is his opinion.)
2 Recommendations


The overbooking policy is risky and it generates controversial situations with business passengers. The real fact is that who travel for work cannot lose time because they will can lose more money than the values of the bonusses.
04/28/2017 02:36:42 PM
2 Recommendations


(Alexander Acosta, the only Latin member in the Donald Trump’s cabinet, was confirmed as U.S. Labor Secretary with a long delay after his hearing in Congress.)

Alexander Acosta, Congrats!
04/27/2017 11:10:34 PM
2 Recommendations


(Karl Rove, current columnist of Wall Street Journal and former advisor of President George W. Bush says: “As the media obsesses over a fake milestone, Trump should take a minute to recalibrate.”)

My comment: The media is obsessed to shake the government with fake milestones. The White House has to follow the mandate our Constitution gives it, in the best way it can, that is all.
04/27/2017 05:35:02 PM
3 Recommendations


The testing of China on North Korea is very difficult because both countries have a stronger partnership than a normal business.

And till now, China never was 100% transparent with us.
04/27/2017 05:22:13 PM
2 Recommendations


(This story comments a recent case of a murder streamed live on Facebook.)

Social media is a terrific tool for good and a double-edged sword for the evil. The problem is the morbidity of the people.
04/26/2017 09:03:20 PM
2 Recommendations


North Korea is a serious problem because China is behind it. For this reason, we have to give very careful steps.

Meanwhile Chinese continue expanding their military power, day per day.
04/26/2017 08:28:36 PM
2 Recommendations


(In the last few days, Nasdaq jumped over the mark of 6000 points thanks the strong valuation of the technology stocks in Wall Street.)

Nasdaq 6000's shows that stocks of the technology leaders are walking very well.
04/26/2017 01:56:10 AM


Some sources say that Pakistan helps to Taliban, our enemy in Afghanistan.
04/26/2017 01:40:45 AM
4 Recommendations


(The daughter of the American President traveled to Germany for an official meeting in Berlin. The story says that “Ivanka Trump gets cool reception on first official overseas trip”.)

According to a photo posted by WSJ and that circulated across of media, it looks like Ivanka Trump and Angela Merkel have warm relationships.
04/26/2017 01:19:49 AM
9 Recommendations


Everybody expected more from Paul Ryan. His perform as Speaker was not great. But the current moment is very complicated.
04/25/2017 03:08:02 PM


We cannot expect from Qatar a complete loyalty. It is a Arab state in the middle of a hot area full of conflicts and terror factories.

The United States has to accept this “dubious” reality or move its base away from Qatar.
04/25/2017 03:02:26 PM
2 Recommendations


(This story talks about a hacking against Macron campaign headquarters.
We have to remark that before the first round of the French election, Marine Le Pen visited Moscow and received a very warm reception from Russian President Putin.)

My comment: From now, the French campaign will be Macron versus Le Pen-Putin.
04/24/2017 07:04:31 PM
3 Recommendations


(This story talks about the visit of General Mattis to Afghanistan after the recent Taliban attack where more than 100 Afghan soldiers died. The article comments that it is possible the Russians supply arms to Taliban.)

My comment: When President Trump proposed General Mattis as Defense Secretary, some observers objected his name asking to put a civil in the position. 

Personally, I think the Defense Secretary has to be an army man with a lot experience in the field and strong professional level like General Mattis.

General Mattis knows Afghanistan from the times he was active in the army. He can to force to Afghan government to make a serious purge of its military forces.
04/24/2017 01:41:12 PM
8 Recommendations


Chinese President Xi Jinping has the “key” to put down the current Korean Peninsula crisis, but it looks that he has fear to lose the businesses of his country with North Korea.
04/24/2017 01:00:24 PM
2 Recommendations


Germany has strong background in machinery, heavy equipment, technology and cars. These elements can help its arms industry.
04/24/2017 12:53:58 PM
2 Recommendations


Times changed dramatically. Farms have to go to digital to improve the ‘seed” capital.

Technology has a lot of tools that can the agriculture sector.
04/23/2017 09:20:05 PM
2 Recommendations


(The story comments that between 8 or 10 Taliban militants entered to a Afghan garrison disguised of Afghan soldiers and killed more than 100 soldiers.)

My comment: Afghan troops are traitors or idiots!
04/23/2017 05:59:36 PM
3 Recommendations


(This story shows the results of a WSJ/NBC poll about the first 100 days of the Trump administration.)

My analysis related to the numbers of the poll:

82% of "Approve" from GOP shows that a lot of Republicans continue supporting President Trump.

This is a good number after some serious crashes with a group of Republican lawmakers in Congress. 

This implies that despite the diversity of ideas about specific actions, the Republicans support the President as an institution.

89% of "Disapprove" from Democrats is reasonable. I would expect 100% negative points from Democrats after the violent start with turmoil and a series of marches against the new President. 

And the 7% of "Approve" says that at least a group of Democrats are flexible.

The most interesting figures come from the Independents. They are against President Trump more than 50% of who participated in the poll (54%). 

Independents want effective results. They react in negative way when they hear about turmoil, marches of protesters and non-legislation from Congress. From this perspective, the 100 days were very noisy.
04/23/2017 01:49:21 PM
8 Recommendations


Nothing new! The Americans who go to North Korea know they are the target of the regime.
04/23/2017 07:34:45 AM
3 Recommendations


Venezuela is a rich country in oil and minerals. It fell in chaos due to the high level of corruption united to the totalitarian regime installed by President Chávez.

President Maduro and the opposition are more of the same. The hunger will not change the roots of the problem.
04/23/2017 07:25:14 AM
2 Recommendations


In the long term, Iran is a bigger threat than Syria and North Korea if these two countries lose their links with Russia and China respectively.
04/22/2017 11:23:46 PM
1 Recommendation


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SOURCES:

1) External Sources: Hannover Messe official online pages for journalists in English and German languages. (I am registered as international journalist of Hannover Messe and CeBIT since 2013.)

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, a series of newspapers from Germany, U.K., France, Canada and Japan.

IEEE, NASA and the official websites of a series of companies

2) Own Sources: My own research for previous publishing projects like TTT of Comlab Corp and others.

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