Sony and Carnegie Mellon University Sign Research Agreement on AI and Robotics

  • 04/18/18

TOKYO and PITTSBURGH, PA – Sony Corporation (Sony) has announced that through Sony's U.S. subsidiary, Sony Corporation of America, it has entered into an agreement with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics research.

Initial research and development efforts will focus on optimizing food preparation, cooking, and delivery. This area of research and development was selected because the technology necessary for a robot to handle the complex and varied task of food preparation and delivery could be applied to a broader set of skills and industries. Applications could include those where machines must handle fragile and irregularly shaped materials and carry out complex household and small business tasks. Additionally, robots that are developed for food preparation and delivery would have to be able to operate in small areas, an ability which could be valuable for many other industries.

For this project, researchers will focus on defining the domain of food ordering, preparation, and delivery. Initially, they will build upon existing manipulation robots and mobile robots, and will plan on developing new domain-specific robots for predefined food preparation items and for mobility in a limited confined space.

Depending on the needs of the consumer, food offerings and preparation methods could be adjusted based on personal dietary restrictions and the availability of certain ingredients.  Food could be delivered to the home or office, and dining tables could be set elegantly prior to food being served.  

In addition to this current project, Sony plans to continue supporting CMU's AI and robotics-related R&D efforts and startups through its Seed Acceleration Program (SAP), Sony's business incubation platform, as well as the Sony Innovation Fund, a corporate venture capital fund. 

This research will take place primarily at CMU's School of Computer Science in Pittsburgh, engaging a focused group of robotics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning faculty members and students. For Sony, Dr. Hiroaki Kitano (corporate executive, Sony Corporation) will serve as project lead.

"Making and serving food is an immense challenge for automation, so we're excited about the types of machines and software that might emerge as we jointly explore a variety of approaches and solutions," says Andrew Moore, dean of CMU's School of Computer Science. "Both Sony and CMU aim high, so we are confident this research will produce technologies that impact robotics across a broad number of applications."

"This project has the potential to make the vast possibilities of AI and robotics more familiar and accessible to the general public," says Dr. Kitano. "Additionally, it could also assist those for whom daily tasks, such as food preparation, are challenging. I am very excited to be working with the talented scientists at CMU to make this vision a reality.”

Featured

  • Schools In Focus: Talking Campus Security with Mitch McKinley

    Furnishing the Future: Adaptive Solutions for Modern Learning Spaces

    On this episode of Schools in Focus, we'll talk about the role that classroom furniture plays in creating adaptive, flexible learning spaces. Our guest is Wesley Edmonds, the Director of Workplace, Adaptive Solutions at OFS.

  • University of Connecticut Upgrades Basketball Facility’s AV Systems

    The University of Connecticut recently partnered with Metinteractive to upgrade the AV systems of the Gampel Pavilion basketball facility on its campus in Mansfield, Conn., according to a news release.

  • Oregon Institute of Technology to Construct $35M Mass Timber Residence Hall

    Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Ore., recently announced the construction of a new, $35-million mass timber residence hall, according to college news. The facility will stand four stories, have room for 517 students, and cover 86,710 square feet to address the college’s need for more on-campus housing.

  • New Jersey PreK–12 School Breaks Ground on New STEM Building

    Saddle River Day School (SRDS) in Saddle River, N.J., recently announced that it has broken ground on the new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship, according to a news release. The school partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the design of the new facility, which will provide the school with space to expand its STEM and business education classes.