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XELA Robotics Joins AIRoA: A Step Towards Advanced AI Robotics

XELA Robotics, headquartered in Tokyo, has officially joined the AI Robot Association (AIRoA) as a nurturing member. This membership reflects the company’s commitment to advancing AI robotics development through meaningful contributions in tactile sensing technologies. The integration of diverse data acquired from the real world is essential for the research and development of AI robots. Notably, the tactile information obtained when a robot interacts with an object, including the forces applied and the state of contact, is crucial for enabling AI to learn the physical interactions of robots. By aligning with AIRoA, XELA Robotics aims to foster a robust data foundation for AI robots.

The Significance of Joining AIRoA

AIRoA operates with the mission to promote research and development and societal implementation of robots capable of functioning in the real world by merging AI and robotic technologies. Its initiatives encompass the collection, storage, management, and public sharing of the crucial data necessary for foundational model development, alongside the development and operation of specific models and the management of development communities. Through participation in such activities, XELA Robotics anticipates an acceleration in AI robotics research and development, leveraging the shared datasets to enhance robotic capabilities.

By being part of AIRoA’s collective effort, XELA aims to broaden the possibilities for utilizing robotic data, particularly data enriched with tactile information, contributing to the advancement of AI robotics.

Expanding Tactile Sensing Technology

In collaboration with AIRoA’s member companies and researchers, XELA Robotics plans to expand the applications of tactile sensing technology. This advancement aims to enhance the ability of robots to recognize their surroundings with greater acuity and operate objects efficiently.

Dr. Alexander Schmitt, CEO of XELA Robotics, expressed, "We are honored to join an organization like AIRoA that unites numerous businesses and researchers aiming to advance robotic technology through the fusion of AI and robotics. We aspire to expand the possibilities of AI robots through tactile sensing technology and contribute actively to the initiatives of AIRoA."

The Importance of 'Touch' in Robotics

Modern robots have become adept at using sensors like cameras to 'see' their surroundings, making judgments with AI and executing tasks accordingly. However, the tactile sensing aspect—which involves accurately grasping and applying forces when interacting with physical objects—remains a significant challenge.

For robots to work effectively alongside humans and objects, visual capabilities alone are insufficient. Real-time gathering of vital information such as the weight of the object, surface conditions, friction levels, and the degree of grasping force is critical. The lack of tactile feedback presents a formidable obstacle to the practical application of AI-powered robots in real-world situations. To enable physical AI to interact safely and flexibly with a variety of environments and to undertake more complex tasks, tactile information is essential in addition to visual data.

XELA Robotics provides robots with the sense of 'touch' through its high-density 3-axis tactile sensor, uSkin®. By integrating uSkin® into robotic hands, grippers, and other devices, they are capable of capturing the state of contact with objects and the forces involved during grasping. This technology enhances the robots' ability to accurately recognize contact with objects, enabling precise handling and manipulation in real-world applications.

Overview of AIRoA

The AI Robot Association (AIRoA) is dedicated to driving innovation in robot development technology through the integration of AI and robotics, promoting the practical use of robots in society. For more information, visit AIRoA's official site.

About XELA Robotics

Founded in 2018 as a spin-out from Waseda University, XELA Robotics is based in Tokyo and comprises a team with over 70 years of research experience in robotics and tactile sensing. Our focus lies on applying tactile data to improve how robots grasp, manipulate, and interact with both humans and objects in natural environments. XELA Robotics aims to realize reliable, high-performance, and accessible automation for everyone in the industry. For further details, visit our official site.

For inquiries, reach out to us at [email protected].