It is expected that robots will lessen physical burden from sorting of drastically increased packages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A research team from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology announced that it recently developed a robot that specializes in package sorting process. This robot scans the barcode on a package and places the package on top of conveyor belt. The research team said that the robot is able to sort more than 1,000 packages in just one hour and is able to help with operation efficiency.
Although the robot only weighs 30 kilograms, it is able to operate while carrying up to 100 kilograms of an object or objects.
It is able to perform sorting process that requires many people by itself and it is expected to reduce physical burden for workers and provide better and more effective time management.
In addition, it can completely prevent any danger that can occur from carrying heavy objects. The research team said that the robot can lessen physical burden for workers and be a great help in establishing a safe working environment.
The team emphasized that it is heavily focusing on improving the robot’s performance as the country is facing increased online packages as part of an aftereffect of COVID-19.
The robot is able to go up or down stairs and move around obstacles using a detector that is attached to it. Because it is able to avoid obstacles and find safer routes on its own, it is able to effectively perform package sorting process.
In order to verify the robot’s effectiveness, the research team is conducting various on-site inspections at least twice a week.
Robotics technologies are becoming closer to everyday life. Chinese workers are also satisfied with the robot as social distancing is becoming more important in workplaces due to COVID-19. The research team said that the robot can also be used in places such as airports and medical scenes in addition distribution centers with further development.
Staff Reporter Kim, Jiwoong | jw0316@etnews.com