Omitech, China’s window on Italy

Exclusive from China: In Italy, Omitech is the only company that imports and sells the Sanbot robots of Qihan Technology Co, a Chinese company from Shenzhen at the forefront of innovation, specializing in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (i.e. the ability of a computer to perform typical tasks and reasoning of the human mind) and in video analysis.

Assitance in hospital

Founded in Padua 20 years ago, Omitech specializes in providing IT services for companies and research on new technologies, and in recent years, it has been active in the robotics field. “In Qihan Technologies, we found the partner that we were looking for,” says Mr. Matteo Cestari, Omitech’s CEO, “One that is a very credible hardware producer with a high level of sensors and the ability to produce robots in significant quantities according to market requirements.”

Thus began the partnership with China’s creator and producer of the Sanbot, including the Sanbot Elf, Nano, Max, each with their own unique measurements and designs. “We are moving from a prototype phase of research to a more advanced phase, so the robots can begin entering into everyday life,” continues Mr. Cestari, “We needed a programmable Android platform with reliable hardware, available in large quantities and at a competitive price on the market.”

Mr. Matteo Cestari, Omitech’s Ceo

Equipped with an ergonomic design and high quality technology, Sanbot is designed to bring the interaction between human and machine to a new and multi-sensory level. Thanks to the voice recognition engine and the use of artificial intelligence in Cloud, voice exchange is both natural and painless. The 3D video camera allows the reading of gestures and facial recognition, as well as an awareness of the surrounding environment and people. Multimedia is given by an audio system accompanied by a projector up to 65 inches in width. The interaction with Sanbot also occurs through touch through the tactile sensors and a touch screen.

Overall the Sanbot uses over 60 sensors allowing it to be fully aware of the surrounding environment and move independently. It can be controlled remotely and can be used in many fields, from healthcare to education and entertainment to reception. It collects questionnaires for personal selection; provides specific information for tourists; helps customers find a product in a store; and reminds a patient to take medicine. Experiments are currently underway for the use of the robot in public offices or in dedicated centers for home support for the elderly and night-time monitoring of patients, as well as daily play-mnemonic activities during the day.

In schools, it can be useful for software programming and the telepresence of students who need to take extended absences, allowing them to participate in lessons and move around the classroom. In retail, thanks to artificial intelligence and facial recognition, it can be used as a support to marketing and CRM.

A Sanbot Robot at a reception

“What will be more important than the hardware itself is the service that will take place within the software,” says Mr Cestari. “We view the Robot as a service concept, so service will be the focus. That said, the market is not ready just yet.”

Mr Cestari is not referring to the issue of time, however. “The problem is the high expectations of people who are conditioned by movies which provide an unrealistic image of artificial intelligence as being extremely advanced. We are at the initial stage of this market, but it will develop very quickly.” For this to happen, the acceptance by the general public towards robotics must change and certain technologies must grow together with the development of additional Cloud services. “Today, the services that are used include speech recognition, face detection, and identification of objects. Soon many other services will develop.” At the moment, according to Mr Cestari, the costs are competitive compared to the current market. “Prices will fall within a few years, in line with the greater circulation.” This expanse is linked to the growing acceptance of the presence of softwares targeted to the needs of people.

The idea of machines replacing humans in the workplace sparks as much controversy today as it did in 19th century England with the spread of “neo-Luddism.” This movement began in the middle of Industrial Revolution and aimed to sabotage new machinery that was considered a threat to wage labor. “Robots will have an impact on society, but there is no need to fear them. We should recall how the invention of the computer had caused a widespread fear for the removal of typists. Today, however, the computer is globally accepted as an essential work tool. The robot will replace humans in simple functions, and in the case of a robot-caregiver, it can allow the patient listen to the music that he or she prefers or entertain them with the readings that they love. The alternative is that the elderly person or patient is alone. Certain things will change, there is no doubt, but globally there will be advantages, even for the workers, who can move to more advanced or technical jobs.”