Showing posts with label symbotic robots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label symbotic robots. Show all posts

Wednesday 6 December 2023

Xenobots: Living Machines with Unique Capabilities

 While xenobots can exhibit lifelike behavior and carry out rudimentary tasks like pushing objects or swimming, they don’t have the capacity for reproduction. They are composed of living cells but lack reproductive organs or the ability to self-replicate.

The main goal behind xenobot research is to better understand biological processes and explore how living cells can be used to create artificial systems that might help in various fields, such as drug delivery, environmental cleanup, or medical procedures.

Xenobots are a new type of robot that can reproduce, developed by researchers at the University of Vermont and Tufts University. These small, biologically inspired robots are made up of thousands of interconnected cells from the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. They are powered by chemical energy and can move, sense their environment, and work together in groups. 


The ability for xenobots to reproduce is achieved through a process called "self-replication," where the robots can divide into two smaller robots, each with its own power source and ability to move and sense. This breakthrough in robotics has the potential to revolutionize fields such as medicine, environmental cleanup, and search and rescue operations.

The concept of self-replicating robots, or von Neumann machines, is a theoretical idea that involves machines creating copies of themselves. However, xenobots do not fall under this category as they are not capable of reproduction or self-replication in the same manner as robots in science fiction or theoretical models.

Thursday 15 July 2021

 

Walmart to Bring All-New Symbotic Robots to 25 Distribution Centers

The retail giant, Walmart has announced its latest robotics partnership. The c retail firm will be teaming with Massachusetts-based automation company Symbotic. Both the companies have stated thatthey will extend their relationship to bringrobots to around 25 regional Walmart distribution centers. This rollout will take several years to complete.

Both the companies have embracedautomation to reshape the retail industry. The robots will increase freight sorting, stocking, and unloading. Both Walmart and Symbotic aims to serve customers now, and in the future, by providing the right tools and training to its customers and associates so they can deliver the items customers want, when they want them, with unmatched convenience. Both firms are investingon supply chain at an unprecedented scale in to optimize that process end-to-end.

Walmart is focusing on piloting robots over the last several years, in hopes of expediting some of its processes. Besides, Walmart is also exploring ways for these machines to double up and perform in-store inventory checks and if successful it will be extended to various Walmart stores as well.Symbotic has a significantly stronger track record, in robotics sector. The company lists among its partners one of Walmart’s biggest competitors.