This Robot Teaches Itself to Move Heavy Boxes Like a Human

Robot, can you help me move this weekend?

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Say you want to push a big, heavy box across the floor. First, you'll probably try simply pushing the front of the box. If it doesn't budge, you might hunch over and push it a little lower to get physics on your side. If it still doesn't move, you might try any manner of cartoonish positions, such as putting your back against the box and pushing with your legs.

This robot out of the University of Tokyo's JSK Laboratory can do the same calculus, which is more amazing than you might think, reports IEEE Spectrum. The machine pushes a box or cart with its arms, but if it fails, it automatically and autonomously adopts a new strategy. Says Gizmodo:

This kind of improvisational problem-solving is an extremely human trait. Lots of robots, especially ones currently being used in factories and whatnot, are only programmed to do one task, in one way, in one place. For example, a robot that stays in the same location on the work floor and lifts heavy boxes coming down a pre-designated conveyor belt.

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The bot isn't just smart; it's agile. I manages to try all these various methods of pushing and shoving without falling over, adjusting its foosteps and stride based upon its method of exertion. The researchers presented the paper on their robot last week at IEEE's International Conference on Robotics and Automation. Watch it go:

Source: IEEE Spectrum via Gizmodo

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