For the first time, Omron Corporation has displayed its latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, automation and sensing and control at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Omron’s inaugural booth at CES 2018 focused on the harmony that can be achieved between humans and machines.
The global automation giant treated visitors to interactive demonstrations showing how technological innovation can effectively meet business and social challenges.
Their exhibits included a mobility demo for automotive driver safety, a sustainable platform for efficient energy consumption, and the US debut of Forpheus – the world’s first AI-equipped table tennis tutor.
“Omron believes that technology can be a trusted part of the solution to address social issues, improve our lives and build a better tomorrow,” said Nigel Blakeway, president and CEO of Omron Management Centre of America.
“We’re excited to be at CES, to show our presence and investment in the US, to exhibit our work on advanced technologies and to connect with potential partners and top tech talent who want to be part of the thrilling work we’re doing in AI, robotics, automation, sensing and control.”
Omron, headquartered in Japan, has a proud history of innovation.
The company invented the first automated cash dispenser, automated traffic control systems, facial recognition sensing and a distance warning system for automobiles, and is the global market leader in home blood pressure monitoring technology.
Visitors to Omron’s booth were invited to take an engaging interactive tour of five areas: rediscovering artificial intelligence, reinventing automation, rethinking mobility, redefining wellness and reshaping environments.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
State-of-the-art AI is a key component of Omron’s core technology “Sensing & Control + Think” and part of multiple Omron technologies on display at CES.
Omron’s AI-equipped Forpheus robot was used to demonstrate how Omron technologies come together to create machines which work in harmony with humans.
Technologies that make up Forpheus include sensing, control, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics.
Forpheus (Future Omron Robotics Technology for Exploring Possibility of Harmonised AUtomation with Sinic Theoretics) swings a paddle with a robot arm that’s controlled by artificial intelligence (AI) and a 5-axis motor system.
The robot uses two cameras (left and right) to track the ball at a rate of 80 times per second.
They help it figure out how to hit the ball, accounting for timing, direction, and trajectory, within one-thousandth of a second, according to Omron. The system uses a third central camera to evaluate its opponent, based on their movements.
And by evaluating its opponent’s movements and the motion of the ball, Omron said Forpheus AI can judge the skill of its opponent.
Based on that judgement, Forpheus adjusts its skill level to try and maximize the potential for a successful rally.
New features of Forpheus this year include the ability to toss and serve, the ability to predict a smash based on the movements the other player and the ability to produce sounds appropriate to the state of the match.
“Forpheus is far more than a just ‘ping-pong’-playing robot,” said Deron Jackson, chief technical officer of Omron Adept Technologies. “He is the embodiment of Omron integrated technologies, and an exciting illustration of how intelligent machines can help develop and support human potential."
Rethinking mobility
Omron also demonstrated how artificial intelligence can be used to promote automotive safety.
As automated vehicle technology accelerates toward commercial availability, and traditional vehicles are more connected than ever before, Omron introduces a combination of AI, machine learning and facial recognition technology that helps keep drivers safe.
Omron driver seat demo at CES provided a hands-on experience with mobility systems that monitor a driver’s suitability to drive. The mobility demonstration featured the world’s first technology for detection of early-stage drowsiness through the measurement of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) without the need for a special device.
The groundbreaking Omron VOR technology can detect early-stage signs of drowsiness by sensing eye movements using a remotely installed automotive camera.
While other current technology typically observes blinking to detect drowsy driving, Omron’s new technology observes the correlation between head and eye movements – a reflex motion that is difficult for drivers to control.
This technology enables simultaneous measurement of the driver’s gaze angle and 3-D eye position using a single camera for highly precise gaze detection with accuracy of plus or minus 1 degree. By understanding where the driver is looking Omron’s VOR system can detect signs of drowsiness one to two minutes before the driver is even aware he or she feels sleepy, and promote safe driving.
These new technologies are based on Okao Vision, Omron’s high-precision facial recognition technology.
“Artificial intelligence identifies the expression and attitude of the driver and analyzes that data over time to determine if the driver is paying attention to the road or incapacitated. The car can accordingly enact safety measures, like automatic control, warnings or actions to make our roads safer,” said Mr Jackson.
Factory automation
Also on display was Omron’s latest smart factory automation technology, which helps manufacturers maximize productivity from both equipment and employees.
This included innovative automation with vision-guided robotics, sensing, safety and controls with AI in harmony with humans in a modernized production cell.
Visitors could interact with Omron’s globally safety-rated robots, which help to improve workplace safety while increasing production.
Omron’s innovative-Automation approach is: integrated evolution of high-precision, high-speed manufacturing; more intelligent controls and data analysis; and a more interactive and collaborative relationship between robots and people on the manufacturing floor.
“Our factory automation is designed to promote greater productivity and flexibility in manufacturing while contributing to a safer environment for workers,” said Mr Blakeway.
Energy management
Omron is also creating a sustainable energy platform for the future via technology for efficient energy consumption and the distribution of green energy. At CES, Omron showcased solutions for optimization of residential solar energy, including its Smart Inverter with storage battery.
Omron Smart Inverters effectively convert solar output (direct current) into AC power for use in homes. Omron’s Smart Inverter will be the only commercially available transformer-less inverter in the market that prevents photovoltaic (PV) degradation due to PID. The inverter is equipped with battery storage to enable energy use after dark or during peak demand times, when electricity costs are higher.
Advanced Omron sensing technology can also measure and track temperature, humidity, airflow, and collect data to help manage and distribute energy resources efficiently.
Omron advanced sensors enable residential, corporate, and industrial facilities to regulate energy use, reduce their overall energy consumption, and create comfortable and productive environments.
Healthcare
Omron Healthcare has made its mission Going for Zero, the elimination of heart attack and stroke.
The company makes highly accurate blood pressure monitors that are more mobile, portable and connected than ever before.
The latest in-market devices were on display at CES and provided an expansive view of breakthrough new heart health technologies. This included the first-ever wearable blood pressure monitor to utilize FDA-standard oscillometric measurement.
Source: Robotics and Automation News
