Russian financial institution Sberbank has commenced a new project in collaboration with Microsoft Research studying the use of Microsoft AI solutions in robotics.
The two entities are hoping to develop the robots to interact with physical objects in similar way humans do. Research engineers from Sberbank will be working alongside their MSR counterparts in Redmond, US.
Herman Gref, CEO, chairman of the executive board, Sberbank, explained: “Today, artificial intelligence and robotics are strategic research areas for businesses and public scientific hubs around the world.
“Sberbank has committed to spearheading AI evolution under the Digital Economy national program, which is why it’s crucial that we adopt the best global practices.”
Working in cohesion with one another is expected to boost the capabilities of robotics; the project will investigate ways to control manipulators utilising Microsoft’s AI platform.
Microsoft’s platform unites machine learning and simulation modeling in virtual reality to create autonomous AI systems capable of operating in real world.
“We are looking for the optimal ways to apply our in-house solutions and patents when addressing the issues facing the bank and running the strategic nationwide initiatives in this area,” continued Gref.
“These are the reasons behind our cooperation with Microsoft, an industry leader which has been investing in AI development for over 25 years. We’re proud Microsoft has picked us to hold the joint research.
“The move signifies the great trust between our companies and the enormous potential of our research teams. I’m confident that the project will give birth to an effective cooperation in other Sberbank research areas and be a win-win for both the parties.”
Ultimately the project aims to conclude with an updated control system that can operate the robotics unit, intended to boost labor productivity when counting coins.
Featuring a manipulator, video cameras, and an arm grabber, the solution is expected to remove toil and improve occupational safety of the operators who remove coin bags from carts when working at cash handling and cash-in-transit centers.
The findings of the joint study are expected to be later used in writing academic papers on the practical use of artificial intelligence.
Kristina Tikhonova, President, Microsoft Russia, added: “Leading the digital transformation in Russia, Sberbank is a bright example showing that in the new economy any company grows into an IT company.
“By uniting our AI expertise and due to the high level of trust between the companies we should achieve impressive results that’ll contribute to the innovative development of the bank and other industries in Russia.
“We are positive that our mutual achievements will contribute to the evolution of applied AI in Russia and worldwide dramatically.”
