The AI for Retail (AIR) Lab Delft is a joint TUDelft-Ahold Delhaize industry lab. The expansion from AIRLab Amsterdam to AIRLab Delft comprises a robotics research program and test site for developing state-of-the-art innovations in the retail industry. By expanding its focus to robotics, AIRLab Delft will further drive innovations for daily business while building more knowledge of the intersection between retail, AI and robotics.
Based in RoboValley, a robotics research center developed by TU Delft Robotics Institute, a team of international researchers explores robotic solutions that can be applied throughout the retail supply chain, from warehouses and stores to customers. To ensure these explorations result in tangible solutions, Ahold Delhaize will open a test site where researchers can work with partners, students and start-ups, supported by the technology incubator of TU Delft – YES!Delft – to build and test prototypes of robotic solutions. At the test site they explore how robotics can be deployed in a retail setting, how robotic grippers can handle delicate items such as fruits and vegetables, or how to improve image-recognition of products and packaging.
Professor Martijn Wisse, Director of the TU Delft Robotics Institute, and Supervisor of AIRLab Delft:
“At AIRLab Delft, scientists will study how employees can teach their robots to do repetitive tasks, or develop methods to optimize the motion and coordination of mobile robots and of delivery vehicles. This collaboration with Ahold Delhaize allows us to solve real-world challenges by focusing on fundamental issues in robotics, such as how to learn and safely execute tasks in the context of uncertainty, how to safely navigate and interact in environments shared with humans, and how to efficiently and effectively plan the routes of fleets of last-mile delivery. We are very excited.”
Frans Muller, President and CEO of Ahold Delhaize:
“The rapid advancements in AI and robotics provide us with significant opportunities to make everyday shopping even easier for our customers and develop new solutions for our warehouses and last-mile delivery. Working together with academic partners such as TU Delft will enable Ahold Delhaize and AIRLab to shape a technology-driven world in a responsible way. It helps us become a frontrunner in AI research and development for retail and ultimately build capabilities that are scalable for the group.”
Scientific Directors
Javier Alonso-Mora is assistant professor at Cognitive Robotics Department at Delft University of Technology.
Carlos Hernandez Corbato is assistant professor at Cognitive Robotics Department at Delft University of Technology.
Jens Kober is associate professor at Cognitive Robotics Department at Delft University of Technology.
Filippo Santoni de Sio is associate professor at the Ethics/Philosophy of Technology department at Delft University of Technology.
Martijn Wisse is professor of biorobotics at Delft University of Technology.
Partners
