As AI moves from the digital world into the physical world, systems need to become better at sensing, understanding and reacting to what is happening around them.
This was a clear theme at last week’s Plug and Play Sweden Expo in Gothenburg, where Physical AI, advanced manufacturing, autonomous transport and defence were in focus. Companies taking part in the programme included Volvo Group, Scania, Einride, Ericsson and ABB.
Physical AI starts with understanding the surroundings
Physical AI is about systems that can sense their surroundings, make decisions and act in the physical world. This can include autonomous vehicles, industrial robots or other machines that need to react to people, objects and changes around them.
Before a system can decide what to do, it first needs reliable information about its surroundings. This was a recurring point during the day. Whether it is a robot picking up an object or a vehicle driving autonomously, it all starts with the system being able to sense and understand its surroundings.
For BlincVision, this is closely connected to the core of our technology. As more decisions move from people to machines, the ability to quickly detect and understand changes in the surroundings becomes increasingly important.
Automation is driven by real needs
Another clear theme during the day was the growing need for automation in industry and transport. One factor discussed was the low birth rate in Europe. This means that fewer people are entering the workforce at the same time as large groups are retiring. This increases the need to automate more tasks and processes. During the day, examples from manufacturing and internal logistics were discussed, where automation can help maintain productivity as the supply of labour decreases.
As more processes are automated, the demands on machines and vehicles to quickly and reliably understand what is happening around them also increase.
When people and machines work together
As automation increases, the way people and machines work together is also changing. Industrial robots have traditionally often worked in physically separated areas. As people and robots increasingly work in the same environment, robots need to be able to understand what is happening around them and react to changes.
Reliable sensors are needed, but also software that can process and understand what the sensors detect. Together, they provide the situational awareness needed for robots to act based on the situation.
From technology to business value
Another discussion during the day focused on how new technology creates real value. For commercial vehicles and industrial applications, the benefits can often be linked directly to measurable results, such as higher productivity, improved safety, better availability and fewer operational disruptions.
This makes it easier to evaluate the business value of new technology in a specific application.
Understanding the surroundings
Plug and Play Sweden Expo showed the wide range of developments within physical AI, from manufacturing and autonomous transport to robotics and defence. The applications are different, but many share the same basic need: systems that act in the physical world need to be able to sense and understand what is happening around them.
“What became clear during the day is how important it is for systems to have reliable information about their surroundings. To make the right decisions, they first need to understand what is happening around them,” says Jonas Renander, COO at BlincVision.
These are needs BlincVision sees in several of the markets and applications where the technology is being evaluated today.