Robot that can distinguish humans to increase safety in factories
Karthik Prakash, a research student from Amity University, has developed an industrial robot arm that is programmed to recognise human beings and differentiate them from﻿ other objects. The new feature could be used as a﻿ safety mechanism in factories, so that humans can work alongside robots safely. Prakash has built a prototype of the robot, which includes a pressure sensor, AI technology, voice control and image processing. 

GURGAON: A month after a robot killed a worker at the Maruti Suzuki factory in Manesar, a second year engineering student from Amity University has come up with an industrial arm that is programmed to identify between human beings and objects.As a step towards strenghtening safety mechanisms in robots and robotic machines used in factories, Karthik Prakash has built a prototype that has a pressure sensor fitted in it. "The sensor will make the robot identify the type of substance it is handling. It will be able to differentiate between human beings and objects," says Prakash.Prakash also plans to introduce in-built artificial intelligence, voice control and image processing in his robot. "So, if I give it a voice command to pick a can of Coke, it can Google the image and try to identify whether it is picking up the Coke can or something else. This way, it will never accidently harm any human being in the factory," he adds.Although a simple solution to industry safety issues, experts feel lack of marketing and interest in Prakash's idea may prevent his novel product from being adopted and used widely. "There are two parts to an idea. One is concept demonstration and the other, translational research. Students are restricted to concept demonstration, whereas translational research is more significant for turning an idea into a product," says M Balakrishnan, professor, computer science and education department, IIT Delhi.While Prakash has a preventive solution for labourers working with robots, his friends also pitched ideas for making industries safer. These included a bionic arm which, when attached to the nerve system of a worker, could function like an actual arm. Robotic legs for people who lost their legs, was yet another idea.