Earlier this week, the Toyota Research Institute opened the doors of its Bay Area offices to members of the media for the first time. It was a day full of demos, ranging from driving simulators and drifting instructors to conversations around machine learning and sustainability.
Robotics, a longtime focus of Toyota’s research division, were on display, as well. SVP Max Bajracharya showcased a pair of projects. First was something more along the lines of what one would expect from Toyota: an industrial arm with a modified gripper designed for the surprisingly complex task of moving boxes from the back of a truck to nearby conveyor belts — something most factories are hoping to automate in the future.
The other is a bit more surprising — at least for those who haven’t followed the division’s work that closely. A shopping robot retrieves different products on the shelf based on bar codes and general location. The system is able to extend to the top shelf to find items,...
