Recently, researchers at MIT have created “robot-assisted carpentry”. This new AI system will make putting furniture together easier, faster, and cheaper. MIT calls this new AI system AutoSaw. AutoSaw is “made up of two parts: design software and semi-autonomous robots” (Vincent). Users of this AI system can choose from a software template what they want to make, this includes a chair, table, etc. and can choose the size and shape. This order will be turned into instructions for the AutoSaw and will saw the correct materials. The user will then put the cut pieces of wood together to make the finished product.
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As of right now the AutoSaw is pretty basic and can only do a number of things. But, with more time and review of the AutoSaw it can become a more common system. The AutoSaw is still being tested and can only cu through foam, not wood yet. Maybe in the future you will see the AutoSaw cutting through other materials other than wood, for example, concrete.
This AutoSaw is evidence that you can easily fit a robot system in everyday jobs. The AutoSaw can make carpentry jobs safer and more efficient. It can cut the number of injuries if the AutoSaw was used to cut the pieces for the furniture. These AutoSaws will “improve safety and augment their skillset”, they will not be replacing carpenters. It is an advanced tool that will really help out the carpentry industry.
I find the AutoSaw to be a great new AI system that will really help improve the carpentry jobs and help carpenters. AI technology is heading in the right direction.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/28/17058532/robot-carpentry-automated-mit-assisted-furniture
I have looked at many different articles on the AutoSaw and they all seem to discuss the positive effect this would have on the carpentry industry. The robots would increase profits of a carpenter due to more time efficient jobs. The robots would be able to do all of the measuring and cutting much quicker than the human. The robot is then done and the carpenter completes the project by putting all the pieces together. Thus, the AutoSaw simply assists the carpenter rather than doing its job for him. The AutoSaw would also reduce risks involved in the carpenters jobs. According to a BBC article, thousands of carpenters injure their hands and fingers every year with a saw, so by giving this AI system the dangerous part, injuries would decrease greatly. The article also goes on to discuss some of MIT’s researchers desires with this robot. They hope to be able to customize furniture for the buyer so that the piece can fit their needs exactly and not be in everyone else’s home as well. The idea of personalization is a desire for many and unachievable with modern techniques for making furniture. This AutoSaw would open up many new possibilities for customization from furniture to sheds. As the world seems to be implementing more artificial intelligence into all industries, it seems clear this AutoSaw will be implemented in the near future and we can only hope the results are as predicted.
Sources:
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43251669
https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/robots/a18925053/the-robot-carpenters-are-coming/
I agree with you that the AutoSaw is evidence that a robot system can help with everyday jobs. This seems like a trend the work force has been establishing the past few years. One article I read about discussed the steady increase of the use of robot systems over the past few years in great detail. The article mentioned how people should not be worried about losing jobs due to the use of robots because these artificial intelligence systems also help create new jobs. This has been mostly evident in Amazon warehouses in which many mundane tasks were replaced with new robot systems. With the use of these robots the warehouse workers were able to enjoy their job more and overall the new machines helped better the satisfaction of production. Another relevant statistic to your posted blog is that PWC reported that artificial intelligence could contribute up to 15.7 trillion dollars to the global economy by the year 2030. The future of these robot mechanisms is something truly exciting for the future of our society.
Source:https://blog.prototypr.io/the-robot-workforce-ai-in-2018-4023e26a1532