Food for 'bot - AI and Automation Resources

The Expanding Role of Robotics in the Food System

As previously discussed, the field of agtech has been a central focus recently. This is particularly true when considering the advancements within vertical farming. Investigation into this area quickly reveals the interconnectedness of the entire food supply chain.

The past week brought a significant number of announcements related to robotics, with a recurring theme of food production and delivery. It’s becoming increasingly clear that robots and automation possess the potential to revolutionize every stage of the food process, from cultivation to consumption.

Recent Developments in Food-Related Robotics

Recent news highlights key advancements within this evolving cycle. While numerous points deserve attention, examining recent headlines provides a solid foundation for understanding these changes.

Remember to subscribe to receive the forthcoming free newsletter edition of Actuator directly in your inbox.

Iron Ox was mentioned last week as a company developing robotics specifically for indoor farming. The company recently unveiled a new robotic system tailored for this purpose. It’s important to note that Iron Ox operates more like a traditional indoor greenhouse than a purely vertical farm.

What distinguishes Iron Ox is its reliance on robotics and technology as core components. Grover, a mobile robotic system, exemplifies this approach, moving grow trays for monitoring and eventual harvesting. According to CEO Brandon Alexander:

Advancements in Food Preparation Robotics

Miso Robotics also announced an update to its robotic system this week. The company’s Flippy robot has been undergoing trials at White Castle locations, and version 2.0 has been released based on feedback from kitchen staff. Workers requested increased capabilities for the hamburger-flipping robotic arm. Miso’s CEO Mike Bell stated:

Autonomous mid- and last-mile robotics have long been poised to disrupt food delivery. Nuro has emerged as a leader in this area, securing partnerships with major food and grocery delivery companies like Domino’s, Kroger, and Walmart. Significant financial investment has also contributed to their success.

Nuro recently secured $600 million in funding, bringing its total funding to over $2 billion and achieving an $8.6 billion valuation. This represents a 72% increase year-over-year. The Series D round was led by Tiger Global Management. Co-founder and president Dave Ferguson explained to TechCrunch, “This new funding allows us to focus on commercializing and scaling production of our third-generation vehicle at our new facility in Southern Nevada.”

The new manufacturing facility is expected to be completed next year.

Robotic Assistance for Human Workers

Consideration is also being given to robotic exoskeletons to reduce strain on human employees. German medical device manufacturer Ottobock announced plans to acquire SuitX. SuitX, a UC Berkeley spinout founded by mechanical engineering professor Homayoon Kazerooni, also founded Ekso Bionics.

Similar to Ekso, SuitX’s exoskeletons serve both work assistance and medical purposes. The Phoenix walking assistant aligns with Ottobock’s existing product line. SuitX is also piloting Boost Knee, a robotic knee brace. Kazerooni noted:

Expanding Robotic Sensing Capabilities

An announcement from Facebook AI Research and CMU regarding a robotic skin was included within the broader metaverse news from Meta. While seemingly unusual for Facebook, a tactility-sensing synthetic skin could potentially play a role in the metaverse. Currently, it represents an interesting exploration of expanding the sensing capabilities of machines.

Innovative Applications of Robotics

The MIT CSAIL project involving Roboats demonstrates a move beyond experimental applications. These self-driving water taxis are already being deployed in Amsterdam canals. CSAIL head Daniela Rus commented on the project:

Finally, Boston Dynamics showcased Spot, its robotic dog, in a promotional video emulating The Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” music video to celebrate the video’s 40th anniversary.