K4R

Project

Knowledge4Retail

Duration:
01/01/2020 - 12/31/2022

Research Topics
Human-Machine Interaction Robotics Autonomous Systems

Application fields
Trade & Logistics

The overall goal of Knowledge4Retail is the development of an open-source platform (K4R platform) for complex AI- and robotics applications in retail. At its core, the platform provides so-called semantic digital twins, which represent a digital copy of a retail store. Semantic digital twins allow the construction of realistic digital worlds, which can be annotated with machine readable background knowledge and linked to other information systems. In this way they provide a powerful basis for AI- and robotics applications in retail. The potential of the K4R platform will be demonstrated in four representative application scenarios.

Within Knowledge4Retail, the DFKI develops the application “Service robotics for the support of store employees” as an example for usage of the K4R knowledge processing services. For this purpose, a mobile service robot for the support of retail intralogistics will be developed. This robot can be seamlessly integrated into the K4R platform and exchange knowledge. Supportive activities include autonomous transport of goods, stock-check, as well as perception of the store environment. In doing so, the robot extends and improves its capabilities with the help of background knowledge provided by the K4R platform. On the one hand, by knowing locations of goods or shelves, availability of employees or other constraints (e.g. urgency, order of unloading, …) actions and routes can be optimally planned and adapted in case of changes in the environment. On the other hand the system will be able to update the store representation in the digital twin by perceiving the environment through its integrated sensors and comparing it to the current digital representation. This bilateral exchange of knowledge with the digital twin helps making intralogistics more efficient and provides ergonomic benefits to the employees.