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Corporations are actively leveraging the latest breakthroughs in synthetic intelligence to revolutionize the field of robotics. This year, Speedy Robotics unveiled Speedy iD, a technology that harnesses the power of generative AI, computer vision, and machine learning to enable robotic arms to pick, inspect, and place items with unwavering accuracy in end-of-line and logistics settings.
Last month, the San Francisco-based company promoted one of its own to CEO, as founder Jordan Kretchmer stepped into the role of managing chairman.
“We founded Speedy Robotics in 2019 with a bold vision to address the labour shortage and revitalize the US supply chain by providing real-time, adaptable, and cost-effective automation solutions.”
“Kim and I both share a passion for building enduring relationships with our clients and developing innovative AI-powered solutions that deliver tangible results.”
“Speedy is built on a unique foundation of cutting-edge expertise, leveraging advanced robotics and a genuine commitment to partner success.”
Losey brings various expertise
Prior to serving as Chief Progress Officer and Chief Advertising Officer at Speedy Robotics, Losey held the position of Director of World Model Advertising and Innovation at Hasbro. With a wealth of experience, she served as Head of Sales at Modio, spearheaded entrepreneurial ventures at Mod Moggol, and led the Sales division at Autodesk.
After discovering her true passion was running a business, she switched from studying design in high school. Robotics is experiencing a truly exhilarating surge forward, driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence.
“Losey reflected on his experience in the attire and toy industries, where he discovered a depth of manufacturing knowledge that exceeded his initial expectations.”
“When I revitalized brands such as Monopoly and Transformers, I did so before their corresponding films were released,” she said. “Determining the optimal allocation of resources to manufacture enough Optimus Prime toys for the holiday season is where my fascination with robotics truly began.”
After being acquired by Modo, Losey transitioned to focus on 3D printing and product design at the company. She spearheaded an initiative that brought together a mobile workstation featuring two robotic arms housed within a transportation container.
“As a seasoned professional, I excel in integrating both the technical and business aspects, bringing a holistic understanding that encompasses digital and physical perspectives to Speedy Robotics’ operations.” “In 2022, I began working for a company that aimed to address the labor crisis by revolutionizing the traditional deployment of robotics in trade, thereby driving meaningful change.” The process proves arduously slow, shrouded in complexity and opacity.
What innovative ventures do Speedy Robotics undertake to revolutionize industries with their pioneering robotic solutions?
Scaling a robotics startup poses significant challenges, particularly in developing and retaining a loyal customer base. With the robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model, providers take on full responsibility for managing and maintaining machines.
As our prospects grew increasingly more lucrative, the issue arose that we were unable to capitalize on them, remarked Losey. “The maturity of our expertise was insufficient to swiftly resolve their complex problems.”
She explained that they had taken several steps to re-set and explored what she referred to as the “robotic hierarchy of wants”. The underlying foundation is effectively concerned with concepts and control mechanisms. The perceived complexity of integrating robots into their operations has deterred many consumer packaged goods companies from embracing automation.
“As industrial purposes become increasingly sophisticated, we require robots that can adapt with similar agility to humans,” said Losey. You’d think that after all these years in the toy industry, I would have mastered the art of reading children’s minds. But no, youngsters can be as inscrutable as ever, refusing to give away their deepest desires and wishes. Uncovering the unspoken truths yields the most profound revelations, much like deciphering a client’s underlying desires.
Speedy Robotics recognized that its clients desired adaptable robots capable of working efficiently on tasks that people don’t find fulfilling, she explained. Based on Losey, it pivoted its attention from RaaS to Speedy iD, a solution that harmoniously integrates robotic precision with human insight, effectively marrying the benefits of machine-driven processes with the nuances of human thought.
Speedy iD quickly acquires mastery over a wide range of objects to command.
According to Speedy Robotics, the technology utilizes 3D picture capture and generative capabilities to learn new objects, adapting to them in under two minutes. This optimization enables a precise and efficient process for pick-and-place operations within the company.
According to Losey, simplicity is often preferred over complexity. “We’re not merely layering AI onto our existing operations; instead, we’re proactively keeping pace with cutting-edge advancements.” Artificial intelligence and vision have made significant strides over the past 18 months, far surpassing expectations. We’re refining our expertise to leverage cutting-edge AI innovations, specifically to enhance our comprehension and control over physical entities.
Speedy Robotics leverages Speedy iD technology for seamless execution of tasks including piece selection, packing, palletizing, and depalletizing, as well as innovative dynamic kitting solutions. In some cases, a subscription field may encompass diverse objects of varying scales and firmness, presented in numerous combinations that defy conventional methods, as noted by Losey.
As she spoke, she proposed that generative AI grants us an extraordinary capability to delegate tasks to machines. At the same time, we require more comprehensive and context-specific learning modules. The other day, someone shared their perspective with me: “Listen, I’m not asking for my robot to drive from point A to point B, thread a needle, or clean the windows.”
While numerous companies invest in refining robot intelligence through generative AI, Losey confidently asserts that Speedy Robotics strikes a precise balance between specialized and broad-based automation capabilities.
“There’s a significant market alternative; however, we’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, whether it’s the robotics movement stack or large language models,” she said. “Not everything needs to be proprietary; we’re adopting a collaborative approach by breaking down complex problems into manageable, non-competitive components.”
Speedy iD’s presence in the market, as highlighted by Losey, serves as another key differentiator.
“We serve a diverse client base comprising small-scale contract producers alongside Fortune 100 and top 10 global corporations, all of whom demand swift resolutions.” “We’re particularly excited about our prospects over the next five years, driven not just by the valuation we seek, but more notably by the meaningful problems we’re solving for customers.”
More intuitive robots are easier to deploy?
Speedy Robotics offers both a RaaS (robotics as a service) option and capital expenditures. Are the company’s future prospects destined to become experts in logistics consulting rather than focusing on advanced robotics like Losey is renowned for? For Speedy Robotics, ease of use is paramount.
“According to Losey, the issue lies in a lack of available sources for automation, with integrators currently overwhelmed.” How can we simplify robot interactions to be as seamless as selecting a workbench from an ironmongery store? Their integration should be as efficient and reliable as a precision-crafted 3D print.
“We’ve established strong precedent partnerships with our existing customer base to successfully deploy solutions like Speedy iD for kitting or packing, and as a result, we’re seeing the lines between the notion layer and application layer begin to blur slightly.” “Basis fashion trends will arise from that, providing a remarkable opportunity to meet the market’s demands with tailored solutions rather than generic utilities.”
“We’re seeking an intelligent system that can adapt seamlessly to evolving logistical demands,” said Losey. After conducting a thorough review of the text, I’ve rewritten it to enhance its clarity and readability:
“We’ve successfully completed the primary selection process, where we categorize and group objects. Subsequently, we verified and assigned tasks related to these groups, such as arranging items in a field and palletizing that area.” It compels us to adopt a platform mindset, rather than a piecemeal problem-solving approach.
With its impressive capabilities, Speedy Robotics has showcased its ability to swiftly identify stuffed animals on a production line, efficiently placing them at an astonishing rate of 800 pieces per hour. According to Losey, this concept has vast possibilities for e-commerce, recycling, and product returns.