Snow removal by robot: Warehouse robot reaches for the snow shovel
In snowy New York, a warehouse robot clears snow with a shovel. The Reflex Robot has apparently found a new task.
(Image: Reflex Robotics/Screenshot)
Winter is almost over here, but the next snow shoveling is sure to come. The New York-based robotics company Reflex Robotics has come up with something special to deal with the white stuff, and has unceremoniously put a snow shovel into the robot hands of its semi-humanoid Reflex Robot.
The Reflex Robot was actually designed to work in logistics. There, it fetches goods from shelves or stocks them. It can also pack boxes and perform simple manual tasks. The robot consists of a movable base with four wheels. A humanoid upper body with head and arms is movably attached to a mast. It can move up and down to adapt its height depending on the task.
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Autonomous or remote-controlled?
The company has now modified it so that it can use its two highly mobile arms to operate a snow shovel and clear parts of the outdoor area of snow on the company's office premises. It is unclear whether the robot operates autonomously or is remotely controlled. However, the robot is unlikely to be suitable for shoveling large areas of snow. There are more effective methods for that with specially designed snow removal vehicles. The wheels, which are actually designed for smooth hall floors, are also unlikely to move the robot much in the snow.
As with most videos demonstrating a robot's special abilities, a certain degree of skepticism is appropriate in the case of the Reflex Robot.
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The footage comes from New York on Monday. A blizzard had raged there beforehand, burying the metropolis in snow. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani had already declared a state of emergency on Sunday. Roads, highways, and bridges were closed, schools remained closed. There were power outages.
(olb)
