From one-armed helper to kitchen professional: how robots can take over housework
The kitchen is the heart of many households and a place where technology and tradition often meet. But what could a kitchen look like if robots were there to help? NEURA Robotics is supporting the it’s OWL ‘Hybrid Living’ project with a service robot that learns to load and unload the dishwasher. In this interview, Dennis Wigand, group leader for collaborative automation at NEURA Robotics, provides insights into the challenges and potential of integrating service robots in the kitchen and explains why his company’s robots are being given a second arm and how other companies can benefit from the project.
What are the main challenges when integrating service robots in a domestic environment, especially in the kitchen?
Dr. Dennis Wigand: When integrating a robot into the ‘kitchen of the future’, there are two aspects that are particularly exciting. First of all, a private kitchen is a non-standardized space. It can look different for every potential customer. Crockery may be of different shapes and weights, and household items may be in different places and require special handling. This is a completely different context than in industry. A household robot must therefore acquire an incredible amount of knowledge, either by learning it or by being able to access the relevant information from smart home devices.
This brings us to the second point: communication. A service robot must be able to communicate with various devices or the smart home system. This is where our Neuraverse comes into play. The app-based platform makes it possible to constantly expand the robots’ capabilities. A company such as Miele, for example, is therefore able to teach our robots special features and operating instructions for its appliances.
How does the robot platform provided by NEURA Robotics differ from other solutions available on the market?
Dr. Dennis Wigand: At NEURA Robotics, we focus on cognitive robots that – equipped with the appropriate sensors and AI – can see, hear and feel. This concept runs through our entire product range. Other available solutions currently focus mainly on COBOTs, which do not have the same range of integrated functionality. Our drastically different perspective makes the difference.
We see our robots as universal platforms that share one and the same software infrastructure: the Neuraverse. This approach enables our robots to learn from each other and exchange skills. This is especially true for our MiPA, short for ‘My Intelligent Personal Assistant’, which is characterized by its safe interaction with humans and its flexibility in use. MiPA uses the synergies with our industrial systems and can thus transfer their skills to the service domain without having to learn them from scratch. This increases efficiency enormously.
What progress have you made in the project so far and what next steps are planned?
Dr. Dennis Wigand: So far, we have ‘donated’ a second arm to our MiPA – this is particularly relevant in the kitchen environment. Most tasks require bi-manual manipulation, as a kitchen is primarily designed for humans. With two arms, our MiPA can simultaneously open the dishwasher and put the cup in or hold a pot and stir the soup in it.
Another update is larger batteries so that our MiPA can take on longer service shifts. The next step is to implement communication between the MiPA and Hettich’s motorized furniture systems. To do this, we need to define and establish a common ‘language’ with standardized protocols and interfaces.
How does NEURA Robotics plan to integrate the results of this project into future product developments?
Dr. Dennis Wigand: The project – in the kitchen environment, with two strong industrial partners and the research expertise of Bielefeld University – is an excellent use case for our MiPA. Not only can we expand the capabilities of our robot here and incorporate them into our Neuraverse, but we also gain relevant insights into the requirements of tomorrow.
This is your first project in the it’s OWL network. To what extent does it help you to solve the challenges within it’s OWL?
Dr. Dennis Wigand: I know it’s OWL very well from my time as a doctoral student at CITEC at Bielefeld University. Back then, we were already working on joint projects and I really appreciated the multidisciplinary network of academic and industrial experts. Now I am involved again as an industrial partner with NEURA Robotics on the other side. I think it’s important to network in the region and work together to promote innovations for the region. it’s OWL is the ideal partner for this thanks to its good infrastructure.
How exactly can other companies benefit from the results of the project?
The findings on protocols and interfaces that we are evaluating for communication in the project can help to achieve cross-company agreement on corresponding technologies. This in turn can form the basis for integration and greater compatibility of technological ecosystems. In the future, established standards and guidelines will play a decisive role in turning the vision of the ‘kitchen of the future’ into reality.
