Uber Eats is utilizing robotic technology to enhance its food delivery process. Specifically, four-wheeled robots are being employed for the final leg of deliveries. This advancement raises questions about the role of robots in inspecting sealed boxes.
A recent breakthrough from MIT could change how robots interact with packaging. This innovative technology, known as mmNorm, allows robots to identify and assess potential damage within sealed cardboard boxes without the need to open them. The mmNorm system employs millimeter wave (mmWave) imaging, the same technology used in Wi-Fi.
Researchers have developed this system to scan containers and create accurate 3D models of their contents by analyzing signals that bounce back from hidden surfaces. This method effectively penetrates materials like cardboard and plastic, which is vital for efficient detection in warehouses. Unlike conventional radar systems that typically overlook certain reflections, mmNorm captures all the reflections to better infer the shape and orientation of hidden objects.
The lead researcher, Laura Dodds, emphasized that the system not only tracks signal sources but also the direction of the surfaces being scanned. By using a radar-equipped robotic arm to gather data around a sealed box, the robots can form a detailed 3D representation of its contents. In tests, mmNorm demonstrated an impressive 96% accuracy rate in reconstructing complex items, outperforming similar systems that achieved only 78% accuracy.
This significant improvement could greatly enhance warehouse efficiency by allowing robots to inspect contents in real time without having to unpack items. The potential applications of this technology extend beyond warehouses. It could be transformative in production lines for quality assurance, assistive living facilities for safety checks, and even in security screenings for threat detection.
Future enhancements in mmNorm aim to increase its versatility and effectiveness in various settings. As robots gain the ability to identify damage without physically opening boxes, we may see a paradigm shift in shipping and logistics processes.