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Switzerland Develops Humanoid Robots for Industry in Response to Aging Population and Labor Shortage

Switzerland Develops Humanoid Robots for Industry in Response to Aging Population and Labor Shortage Image reproduced from Yahoo! 奇摩新聞

As global population aging and labor shortages become more acute, a technology company in Switzerland is developing humanoid robots for industrial use to tackle the increasingly challenging labor market.

In recent years, changes in population structure have become one of the main drivers of growth in the humanoid robot market, particularly in various countries in Asia and the West. Labor-intensive industries with low technical skills are becoming increasingly difficult to staff, prompting companies to seek automation solutions to replace human workers.

Traditional industrial robots primarily employ simple fixed arms for welding, painting, and assembly tasks, which are considered low-tech and unable to meet the demands of complex production processes. Thus, HEXAGON, a company located in Zürich, Switzerland, has begun utilizing advanced artificial intelligence and hardware technologies to enhance the functionality and adaptability of their robots.

Robert, the head of the HEXAGON robotics division, posed the question during a media interview, "What features can you demonstrate?" In response, Ian, a humanoid robot, stated, "We can climb stairs, we can move quickly, we can simultaneously pick up and place different items, and we can even scan doors to check for defects."

Ian is equipped with a top-tier combination of 22 sensors and 12 cameras, showcases advanced mobility capabilities, and utilizes AI-driven task control, allowing it to learn on the fly and adapt to a variety of industrial applications.

Heinz Licht, founder of the HEXAGON robotics department, explained, "Previously, we used a head-mounted device to record our hand movements, which were then used to train our AI neural networks. We call this imitation learning, which essentially involves copying human movements to the robot for automatic task execution." This innovative learning method opens new avenues for the practical applications of robotics.

According to a forecast by Bank of America, with advancements in artificial intelligence and hardware technology, the annual shipment volume of humanoid robots worldwide is expected to reach one million units by 2030. This trend will not only change the way various industries operate but also have profound impacts on labor markets.

As technology continues to advance, the application scenarios for robots are expanding, with robots playing roles in disaster relief, everyday production, and even music creation. For instance, a mini robot developed in the U.S. is well-suited for disaster search and rescue due to its small size, meanwhile, composers have begun creating musical scores for robots, leading to the world's first symphonic performance featuring human-robot collaboration.

Additionally, performances by conducting robots in South Korea demonstrate the limitless possibilities arising from the fusion of technology and art, with the debut of the conducting robot EveR 6 showcasing smooth movements and delivering an impressive performance, providing a delightful visual experience for the audience.