The Carter Pro robot, developed by Robust AI, introduces a unique approach to human-robot collaboration. Inside the company’s headquarters in San Carlos, California, the robot navigates a demo warehouse filled with standardized, modular shelving that would be familiar to anyone who has worked in such environments. This setup reflects the practical design philosophy behind the Carter Pro, emphasizing adaptability and functionality.
What truly stands out, however, is how the robot interacts with humans in its environment. Unlike many autonomous robots, Carter is designed to be manually moved by people. Employees can pick it up and reposition it as needed. This feature is significant in an industry where safety concerns often arise from the interaction between humans and autonomous systems. By enabling humans to directly move Carter, the robot becomes not just an autonomous tool but a flexible and cooperative workplace companion.
To achieve this level of collaboration, Carter is equipped with sensors that detect the force applied to it and respond accordingly. It also features a bright orange handlebar for easy, single-handed control—a seemingly simple but technically complex feature to implement. This design ensures that humans and robots can work together efficiently and safely, addressing a critical challenge in modern robotics.
Robust AI’s focus on collaboration is not surprising, given the background of its founders. CTO Rodney Brooks, who previously founded Rethink Robotics, has long championed human-robot interaction (HRI) as an essential aspect of robotics. While there is much discussion about robots potentially replacing human workers in the future, Brooks emphasizes that the immediate reality is one of shared workplaces. For the foreseeable future, humans and robots will continue to work side by side, making safe and seamless interaction a priority.
Another distinguishing feature of Carter is its reliance on cameras instead of lidar for navigation. This decision, increasingly common among autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), is partly driven by cost considerations but also reflects the practical challenges of lidar in warehouse environments. Cameras provide an effective alternative, making Carter both more affordable and better suited to its intended tasks.
Robust AI has already begun rolling out Carter to select partners, with logistics giant DHL being its first major customer. However, the company is careful not to rely too heavily on any single client. Drawing lessons from other robotics firms that struggled after losing major contracts, Robust AI is diversifying its customer base to ensure long-term stability. As Brooks explains, limiting the percentage of robots allocated to any one client is a strategic move to maintain a balanced portfolio and reduce risk.
The Carter Pro robot represents a thoughtful step forward in human-robot collaboration, blending practicality, safety, and innovation. Its ability to adapt to human needs and its strategic deployment plan signal a promising future for robotics in shared workspaces.
