AEON robot debuts to ease worker shortage

Hexagon, a global technology firm specialising in digital reality solutions, says AEON will start work in live industrial settings later this year, testing its ability to complement the workforce.

"We're seeing a labour shortage actually in many industries, automotive, transportation and so on, where the older generation is going into retirement. The middle generation is not interested in those tasks anymore and the younger generation for sure wants to do other things," said Arnaud Robert, President of Hexagon Robotics Division, in Zurich, Switzerland.

AEON's AI-driven systems and spatial intelligence combine with 34 degrees of freedom to deliver exceptional agility, versatility, and awareness, the developers say.

Unlike robotics companies focused on human-like walking, Hexagon believes wheels are best when it comes to practical usage. AEON's wheels allow it to move 4 times faster than we walk as well as going over steps, while mapping its surroundings and environment with up to 22 sensors, including 12 cameras.

"It's great to be here. My name is AEON. I am a working humanoid from Zurich. Today my colleagues and I will showcase what we can do," AEON said.

AEON can learn tasks in different ways, including using a form of artificial intelligence called 'imitation learning' where an operative can simply show the robot what to do, as they would with any new colleague.

One of the major drivers behind the growth in interest in humanoid robots is shifting demographics. Aging populations in Asia and the West, combined with young people increasingly spurning factory jobs, have resulted in a global labour crunch.

Most industrial robots remain low-tech, with fixed arms for welding, painting, and assembly, but advancements in AI and hardware are increasing their sophistication.

Driven by advances in AI and hardware, Bank of America forecasts annual global humanoid robot shipments will reach 1 million units by 2030.