Reflex Robotics’ wheeled humanoid is here to grab you a snack

Reflex Robotics made quite an impression at the Modex conference in Atlanta, showcasing its humanoid robot in action. Unlike Agility’s Digit, Reflex Robotics’ robot featured a single demo that attracted a crowd throughout the event.

The robot’s performance drew praise from attendees, particularly its speed and accuracy. Reflex Robotics has developed its own hardware, featuring a torso mounted to a base that enables dynamic movement of the arms and sensors. This design allows the robot to access shelves at various heights and navigate tight spaces with surprising dexterity.

The wheeled base of the robot proved effective for maneuvering through the exhibition layout, showcasing its versatility in real-world environments. The company’s demonstration, coupled with the allure of free food and beverages, ensured a steady stream of interested observers throughout the event.

It’s worth noting that Reflex Robotics’ system operates primarily through tele-operation, meaning it relies on human control for its actions. This setup falls under the category of human-in-the-loop systems, where remote operators guide the robot’s movements. While this approach offers flexibility and adaptability, it may encounter latency issues if the operator is too far away.

Ritesh Ragavender, co-founder and CEO of Reflex Robotics, likened the interface to that of a video game and mentioned that the robot is steadily approaching human-level efficiency. However, the ultimate goal for the team is to reduce the reliance on human operators. As the robot becomes more autonomous and capable, human involvement will transition from direct control to supervision.

Currently, the human-to-robot ratio stands at 1:1, but Ragavender anticipates reaching a ratio of 1:2 in warehouses and third-party logistics (3PLs) by early next year. This evolution reflects the ongoing advancements in robotics technology and the gradual shift towards greater autonomy in industrial applications.