Robotics tools that make automation possible in the first place

Many activities can be automated using robotics. A large part of the robotics offering is substitutable. If Universal Robots were to cease operations tomorrow, it would certainly be possible to make do with minor compromises. So automation does not necessarily depend on this manufacturer/product, even if there are advantages. In my opinion, some quite new or even very new tools are interesting, which make automation by means of robotics possible in the first place. The list is incomplete and will be supplemented gladly on the basis of references in a continuation. The best is already betrayed: Most of the solutions come from Germany. Germany, land of ideas.

Robot on the ceiling and / or exact accuracy

M.W. was the first time that the Lower Bavarian startup Linrob presented itself at automatica. Linrob has further developed the idea of the linear unit, as known from Rollon or Bosch Rexroth. By means of the Linrob rails, robots can cover large distances (even 20 m + x) and do so while hanging from the ceiling. The latter has the advantage that they can be used at night without any conversions and without interfering with the day shift run by people. This is all done extremely accurately. This in turn has the advantage that instead of a robot with a long reach but moderate repeatability, a small robot with very good repeatability can be used. In my opinion, the addressees of Linrob are not very small companies. A system costs €20,000 +, but can then reduce the number of cobots needed and make automation possible in the first place.

Sleep more peacefully thanks to Oli's remote monitoring

Automation yes, risk no, thinks many a medium-sized company and therefore shies away from cobots. However, these could work off a larger series at night or on the weekend. Oils recently introduced software in the U.S. that takes away the residual risk, as the process can simply be monitored from home. This tool seems predestined for SMBs that have been in their halls on weekends. A new video on LinkedIn shows how to restart a robot (click and LinkedIn shows a video):

Dealing with variances

Automation has so far presupposed stable conditions. But cables rarely have this stability. They are always lying or hanging differently. Micropsi Industrie and ArtiMinds offer solutions that enable automation for the first time. Micropsi started with Universal Robots and recently also supports FANUC:

Operation of machines, laboratory and measuring devices without interface

Opdra is the first software that can recognize screens/displays purely optically like a human. Opdra was developed by the Munich-based startup VisCheck, of which I am the CEO. The benefit of Opdra: By simply determining the relevant data, a robot can get all the information it needs to automate. Expensive and often impossible interface programming becomes unnecessary. Flexibility is increased at the same time. There is no limit to the number of robots that can be used. The fact that everything is feasible is demonstrated by an application on a press brake: Opdra reads the thickness of the sheets, which is then entered by a miniature robot into the keyboard of the older press brake. All without interfaces between the existing machines.

Safety systems that enable high speeds

If an employee only occasionally works collaboratively with a cobot, its cycle time is often too low the rest of the time to make it worthwhile. One solution can be industrial robots that are given a protective skin. This is perhaps an awkward example, since AirSkin, the pioneer in the field, is now also substitutable. Also interesting: a radar that automatically reduces speed when a human approaches. Inxpect has developed this technology.

Leverage Robotics' approach to co-working is very interesting. This post is contains info.

Robots that mimic humans

A robot, even a cobot, must always work differently than a human as a result of its restrictions. Above all, it has only one arm. Currently, there is only one two-armed cobot, the Yumi from ABB. However, just like end effectors that are modeled on the human hand, it costs a borderline lot of money. With robotic hands, the limits are actually exceeded. This limits their use to niches. The low sales in turn had the consequence that Schunk no longer offers its robot hand, according to my information.

Currently, Agile Robots, which is extremely daring and has not presented much so far, is apparently working on a robot with two arms and hands. The solution from AEON Robotics should be very interesting in terms of price. There will be an update here soon.

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The author of this blog is significantly involved in the AI/robotics project Opdra. He advises robotics companies and investors on market analysis and funding/subsidies. More about him can be found here.