The brainchild of appropriately named robotics firm Dextrous Robotics, this warehouse robot is designed to pick up and move boxes using two giant chopsticks for arms. Do I also wish I had chopsticks for arms? No, I do not. Sporks? Only occasionally.
The robot has the ability to handle large boxes (39″ x 40″ x 30″ and weighing 50 pounds), small boxes (3″ x 4″ x 5″), and countless boxes from disorganized stacks, requiring it to properly align itself for a good grasp. Impressive, but can it catch a fly out of the air like Mr. Miyagi? Check out the demonstration video below (with music!)
In the video, the robot is operating at a pace of about 150 packages per hour in a scenario designed to simulate the unpacking of a trailer with no path optimization but can move as many as 900 boxes an hour in a more organized environment. That’s a lot of boxes! For reference, the average human can move around 300 – 500 boxes an hour. Of course, I have yet to bring the box inside that UPS delivered on Monday, so that range will obviously vary from person to person.
[via IEEEspectrum]
With over 17 years of writing experience, Jonathan has had a passion for all things tech-related, ever since watching Inspector Gadget as a child. He's disassembled countless appliances and managed to put a few back together, and one still works. When not writing, he can often be found playing video games or accidentally hurting himself in the garage.