AI Biweekly: Smarter Responses from Amazon and Google; Innovations in Robotics
Biweekly Review
Ying Shan — Analyst, Global Industry
Smarter responses from Amazon and Google
This allows users to interact more extensively with the system through voice, while optimizing the logic of conversations and casual verbal replies to provide users a more natural dialogue experience. Google also made targeted optimizations in conversational experiences and response content. For example Google Assistant will now be able to recognize whether users are speaking to it in a polite tone of voice and respond accordingly. Integrating advanced voice interaction capabilities into users’ everyday lives continues to be a focus in Amazon and Google’s product development.
December 6 — Amazon Crowdsourcing Alexa’s Answers To Tough Questions
- Amazon has released a new system which allows customers to draft answers for difficult Alexa questions.
- Amazon tested the system internally over the past month.
- The system is for public use. Alexa users will get an email invite and answer questions for Alexa online.
- Once the answers are added to the system, Alexa will access and use them as responses.
- https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/06/amazon-is-crowdsourcing-alexas-answers-to-tough-questions/
November 29 — Google Assistant Is Nicer If You Say ‘Please’ And ‘Thank you’
- Google Assistant will now be able to recognize if users are speaking to it politely.
- The assistant will provide more cheery responses for example if users say “please” or “thank you.”
- The assistant will not force users to speak nicely and will not punish rude users.
- https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/29/google-assistant-please-thank-you-santa/
Rirou Xiong — Analyst, Global Industry
Intelligent Automation: The Innovation of Robots
Using robots to reduce labor costs is a solid ongoing trend — especially in e-commerce, logistics and other companies that need to process large quantities of goods. Berkshire Grey has launched three robots for picking, packaging and sorting in the retail and logistics industries; while embedded platform provider EFCO has introduced visual recognition solutions to help reduce losses caused by robot identification errors.
Shenzhen-based Dorabot and Japan’s Yaskawa Electric have developed an intelligent robot for logistics packaging. Through a camera mounted on its arm, the robot reads product labels to choose the best picking method based on the shape and material of the object, and its correct shipping container. An increasing number of AI startups are now focusing on a single market segment/solution, but their maturity and application scope remain below expectations. Cost is also a problem, as large initial investments are generally required.
December 6 — Berkshire Grey Enters Pittsburgh AI and Robotics Market
- Berkshire Grey is a Boston-based AI and robotics company. Its products include picking, packing and sorting robots in retail and logistics companies.
- The company is using AI to solve worker shortages in the e-commerce industry and make shipping products quickly and directly to customer homes or offices more cost efficient.
- https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2018/12/06/berkshire-grey-enters-pittsburgh-ai-and-robotics.html
December 3 — EFCO Announces the First Industrial Embedded Vision System with Artificial Intelligence Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance via the New EKit Software Package
- EFCO introduced an Eagle Eyes Embedded Vision Systems for machine vision applications.
- Based on EFCO’s AI algorithms, Eagle Eyes provides all systems monitoring and systems analysis for monitoring and predictive maintenance.
- For some applications such as factory automation, machine vision and transportation logistics, specialized image processing machines must be reliable.
- https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/12/03/1660996/0/en/EFCO-Announces-the-First-Industrial-Embedded-Vision-System-With-Artificial-Intelligence-Monitoring-and-Predictive-Maintenance-Via-the-New-EKit-Software-Package.html
10 AI News You Must Know
December 6 — Google Fund Pours $7M Into Cambridge ‘AI for Logistics’ Startup
- Wise Systems, a maker of AI-powered software that optimizes the routing of delivery fleets, has raised US$7 million in Series A funding led by Gradient Ventures, Google’s AI-focused venture fund.
- Wise Systems collects data including real-time traffic, machine-learned service times and route-specific information to improve on-time deliveries and reduce fleet mileage.
- https://www.americaninno.com/boston/bostinno-bytes/googles-fund-pours-7m-into-cambridge-ai-for-logistics-startup/
December 5 — Waymo Launches a Commercial Self-Driving Car Service in Metro Phoenix
- Waymo launched Waymo One, a Phoenix, US taxi service that uses its self-driving cars. It will be available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week in selected areas of the city.
- Riders can find estimated prices on a mobile app before they accept a trip. Customer service is available through the app or via an in-car console.
- https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/05/waymo-launches-self-driving-car-service-waymo-one/
December 5 — Battery Energy Storage System Uses Artificial Intelligence to Lower Energy Bills and Provide Utility Grid Services
- Peak Power announced that it has successfully completed the installation of 375 kW/940 kWh of battery energy storage with GHP Realty.
- The project uses Peak Power’s intelligent software platform, SynergyTM, and Lockheed Martin’s Gridstar 2.0 energy storage technology.
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/battery-energy-storage-system-uses-artificial-intelligence-to-lower-energy-bills-and-provide-utility-grid-services-300760421.html
December 5 — FDA Grants Breakthrough Device Status to Healthcare AI Software Developed by Bayer and Merck.
- Deep learning based AI software developed by Bayer and Merck could support radiologists in identifying CTEPH in computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) scans.
- The AI software processes cardiovascular, lung perfusion and pulmonary vessel images for analysis with the patient’s history of pulmonary embolism.
- https://hitinfrastructure.com/news/fda-grants-breakthrough-device-status-to-healthcare-ai-software
December 5 — Workato Unveils AI-enhanced Automation Editions to Meet the Enterprise Need for Speed
- Workato has released new versions of its automation platform for sales, marketing, and HR teams.
- The new platform has enhanced machine learning and artificial intelligence capabilities to build and provide more intelligent integration and automation digital transformation processes for customers.
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/workato-unveils-ai-enhanced-automation-editions-to-meet-the-enterprise-need-for-speed-300760606.html
December 4 — Rolls-Royce Partners with AI Software Maker to Predict Engine Performance
- Rolls-Royce enters a partnership with Uptake to apply AI to engine performance prediction.
- Uptake will use their AI technology to analyze and process data generated by engines to help Rolls-Royce ensure their operation and performance.
- Rolls-Royce’s senior vice president said “With industrial AI and machine learning techniques, we can increase the uptime of our engines and help customers extend the life and value of their critical assets.”
- https://www.reuters.com/article/us-waymo-selfdriving-focus/waymo-unveils-self-driving-taxi-service-in-arizona-for-paying-customers-idUSKBN1O41M2
December 4 — JD Announces IoT Platform Jingyuzuo
- JD has announced a new AI+IoT platform, Jingyuzuo. It integrates with JD’s existing IoT platform Alpha and aims to provide end-to-end solutions.
- On the software side, Jingyuzuo includes JD’s smart assistant as well as its big data and artificial intelligence technology. On the hardware side, it includes in-house products and smart devices from partners.
- JD also announced a partnership with Huawei to integrate its IoT platform with the Huawei HiLink platform. The partnership includes cooperative R&D efforts in AI and IoT.
- https://www.jiqizhixin.com/articles/2018-12-04-28
December 2 — iQIYI Unveils World’s First Virtual AI Sign Language Interpreter
- Chinese video streaming service iQIYI has launched an AI/AR-powered sign language interpreter for its content.
- The virtual interpreter will appear as a cartoon avatar alongside video content.
- The feature will allow the hearing impaired to enjoy online streaming video from the company.
- http://www.stockhouse.com/news/press-releases/2018/12/02/iqiyi-unveils-world-s-first-virtual-ai-sign-language-interpreter-allowing-the
November 29 — Innova Row Crop Challenge Final Four Startups
- Four startups that are reinventing agriculture have been selected for the Innova Challenge with a chance of winning US$100,000.
- The startups selected are involved in robotics, automation, soil analysis, etc.
- The Innova Challenge organised by AgLaunch has received support from Innova Ag Innovation Fund IV, USDA and other organisations and agencies.
- The final four startups competing for the prize are Kopper Kutter, Rogo, SioTeX and Smart Farm Systems.
- https://www.agweb.com/article/row-crop-challenge-final-four-startups-aglaunch-pipeline-at-agtech/?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWkRnNE5USXlaRGcyWm1RMiIsInQiOiJlS3hxdEcyK1FsQmFrOERIRlh4Mm82dUhXdnhRY0U0OW1zSjRBYXhjcVJFdkhkNHJYNUJucHg2WnVBWlZOTTVqM3Flc2NWOUxERHJzYThPMkowTVlMK3g0NnA0aVNrSkJDNThwaERLa1wvWEZJSmlvOWdhWVFkZmE1d2xYaEp1ajYifQ%3D%3D
November 28 — Amazon Textract Brings Intelligence To OCR
- Amazon announced the Amazon Textract, an optical character recognition tool that automatically extracts text and data from scanned documents.
- Amazon Textract is able to identify the contents of fields in forms and information stored in tables.
- It is designed to recognize common page elements and get the data intelligently.
- Amazon Textract understands common data types like Social Security numbers, dates of birth and addresses.
- https://techcrunch.com/2018/11/28/aws-textract-brings-intelligence-to-ocr/
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