Robots are more than just science fiction. They will soon be part of our everyday lives - at least that's what the founding trio a1robotics are sure of. The company founders and former university students explain what this future could look like and why they have built their own robot
Chicago in the year 2035: robots have become an integral part of everyday life - they are artificial beings that are used as helpers and labourers. They are very similar to humans, sometimes even superior. This scenario from the film "I, Robot" may sound bleak to many. Neurobiologist Malte Ahlers, physicist Dr Sven Burdorf and computer scientist Dennis Borde are positive about this possible future. Together they are the founding team a1robotics. "According to a study, sales of service robots will rise to around 35 million worldwide by 2018," says Ahlers. At the same time, research and teaching in this area will intensify, which will require universally applicable and expandable robot systems. This is where the founders' concept comes in: They are building a robot that can do just that. Its name: Adam-1.
"Adam-1 has a head and two arms. However, it doesn't have legs for walking, but it stands on a base that is very manoeuvrable," explains Burdorf. Adam's individual components can also be used in other robots. It is also designed in such a way that it can be expanded as required. Adam is a service robot. This means that he is designed to provide services for humans. "We are initially planning to establish him as a research robot, especially in university service robotics research," explains Burdorf. Adam-1 could then be used, for example, to research whether and how robots can be used in a home. Mobility is particularly important in this field. "Robots should eventually be able to move around the home independently in order to provide people with the best possible assistance," Burdorf continues. He and his colleagues therefore spent months developing the robot base with three special wheels that can move in all directions from a standing position. With success: "There are not many systems that are as manoeuvrable as ours," explains Borde. That's why the three founders are now specialising in the robot base - they want to sell the first of these in six months at the latest.
How did a neurobiologist, a physicist and a computer scientist come up with the idea of building a robot together? Ahlers was the one who came up with the idea for the start-up and initiated the successful application for an EXIST start-up grant. "I've been interested in robotics for a long time and studied biology with a more technical interest," says Ahlers. "I wanted to understand the processes in the brain so that I could transfer them to a robot at some point. Hence the specialisation in neurobiology." He was joined by physicist Burdorf as a partner. They put Ahler's idea into practice with the concrete planning for Adam-1. Borde joined the team via a diversion: "I had heard from a mutual acquaintance that Malte and Sven were still looking for a Computing Science specialist. I wanted to be part of such an exciting project," he says. The team was complete just in time for November 2015, when the one-year funding programme from the Federal Ministry of Economics began.
But why is the robot called Adam-1? Firstly, it is the abbreviation for "advanced dual arm manipulator". The second, obvious explanation: "The first human was also called Adam. As this is our first robot, that's what we called it," says Ahlers with a wink. Half of their funding phase has now passed. They are well on schedule with the development of their platform. In six months' time, robots will not yet be part of everyday life - but when they are, the three founders will perhaps have made a contribution.
