Summary 

Sanctuary AI's Robotic Applications 

Jan Butz from Sanctuary AI presented on general-purpose robots and humanoids, highlighting their potential applications in agriculture technology, particularly in packaging and sorting processes. He explained Sanctuary AI's focus on three main pillars: embodied AI, dexterity, and intellectual property, and showcased various use cases for their robots in industries like automotive. Butz emphasized the company's hardware-agnostic software stack and their goal to address the global labor shortage with their versatile robotic solutions. 

Cobot System Demonstration and Capabilities 

JanButz presented a demonstration of their cobot system, showcasing its ability to learn tasks through teleoperation and autonomous learning. They highlighted their development of a hydraulic actuated hand, which provides higher power density than competitors' electromechanical hands. JanButz also demonstrated their system's sensitivity and dexterity, including its ability to perform tasks like plant picking and unpacking small items. The presentation concluded with a demonstration of transfer learning from simulation to real hardware, showing the robot's ability to rotate a cylinder in various orientations without additional training data. 

Humanoid Robot Development and Applications 

JanButz presented the development process of their humanoid robots, starting with prototypes and moving through customer use cases, proofs of technology, and eventually scaling up to multiple systems. The company is exploring applications in both manufacturing and agriculture, with a focus on indoor tasks, and is considering partnerships with robot suppliers for specific use cases like fruit picking. JanButz explained that the pricing model is still in development, with a target ROI of 2 years for manufacturing applications, and they are considering both robot-as-a-service and subscription-based models. 

AI Robots in Manufacturing and Agri 

The meeting focused on discussing the potential applications and capabilities of AI-powered robots, particularly in manufacturing and agricultural settings. JanButz emphasized that the company is strictly against weaponizing their systems and highlighted successful use cases in industries like manufacturing, where tasks such as pick-and-place and handling flexible materials are automated. Murray from MycoNomics inquired about the robot's vision system, environmental adaptability, and weight-sensing capabilities for mushroom picking, to which JanButz confirmed the presence of on-board cameras and the potential for customization, though weight sensing for small objects like mushrooms might require specific setup. 

Agricultural Innovation and Expansion Updates 

The meeting covered updates on recent agricultural events, including the ASABE Annual International Meeting and the Agrobotics Working Group Demo Day, which is currently at capacity. Graeme announced an expansion of FCC's Innovation Farm network in Manitoba, adding a 6,000-acre farm with potato production, bringing the total to over 17,000 acres across four provinces. The group discussed a new digital skills program offered by CHRC in partnership with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce for free digital twin training in agriculture and food. 

Automotive to Agricultural Robotics Expansion 

Jan Butz explained that their company currently focuses on automotive applications, including factory automation, body shops, assembly lines, and logistics, but is exploring expansion into agriculture. They discussed environmental specifications, noting that their systems operate in indoor environments up to 35-40°C and are not yet designed for harsh outdoor conditions. Brian highlighted the potential for robotic systems in greenhouse and indoor growing, mentioning the need for cost-benefit analysis compared to human wages, and praised the system's ability to be tailored for specific tasks. Jan also mentioned improvements in training methods, including the use of VR technology, and expressed interest in gathering feedback on potential agricultural use cases to better plan for future developments.