Python All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Chapter 4

Using Artificial Intelligence in Robotics

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding the use of AI in robotics

Seeing how AI helps in robotics

Using machine learning in our robot

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.”

—DICTIONARY.COM

So, AI is meant to replace people? Well, not really. Modern AI looks to enhance machine intelligence in certain tasks that are normally performed by people. Even saying “machine intelligence” is somewhat of a misnomer because it's hard to claim that machines have intelligence at all, at least as we think of intelligence in people.

Instead of the philosophical debate, let’s focus on this chapter's project, which uses machine-learning AI. We apply the techniques of neural networks to machine vision for our robotic car. In this way, the robot can utilize the Pi camera to understand aspects of its environment.

Making robots see is easy, but making them understand ...