Automation & IIoT

Robotics Trends to Expect in 2023

Feb. 15, 2023

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In this video clip, which is part of a comprehensive interview on industry trends for 2023, Erik Schluntz, co-founder and chief technology officer of Cobalt Robotics, explains the meaning of Large Language Models (LLM) in its simplest terms.

“If someone gave the instruction of, ‘Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,’ it could convert the language into the step-by-step instructions of ‘find bread, find peanut butter, find jelly, put them together.’ In the past, that could also be programmed by hand,” Schluntz explained.

The truly remarkable thing about LLM, he said, is that after learning the instructions for a PB&J sandwich, the program should be able to figure out how to make a Reuben!

Based in San Mateo, Calif., Cobalt Robotics builds and operates autonomous security guard robots that can patrol office buildings or warehouses. Part of the robotics programming involves using AI tools, including LLM, to read, analyze and translate speech to text and predict future words.

“Almost anything can be expressed in language,” according to Schluntz. “Whether it’s a problem of security—you would tell the security guard what to look for through language, or when designing something, tell the engineer what needs to be built—language is the universal interface between everything.”

About the Author

Rehana Begg | Editor-in-Chief, Machine Design

As Machine Design’s content lead, Rehana Begg is tasked with elevating the voice of the design and multi-disciplinary engineer in the face of digital transformation and engineering innovation. Begg has more than 24 years of editorial experience and has spent the past decade in the trenches of industrial manufacturing, focusing on new technologies, manufacturing innovation and business. Her B2B career has taken her from corporate boardrooms to plant floors and underground mining stopes, covering everything from automation & IIoT, robotics, mechanical design and additive manufacturing to plant operations, maintenance, reliability and continuous improvement. Begg holds an MBA, a Master of Journalism degree, and a BA (Hons.) in Political Science. She is committed to lifelong learning and feeds her passion for innovation in publishing, transparent science and clear communication by attending relevant conferences and seminars/workshops.

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