It used to be that interfacing with a robot was only possible through programming, and it required dedicated staff to configure them. That is no longer the case. Smart factories provide enterprise-wide reporting which can be accessed on the go with a mobile device. Adaptable software means anyone with access can retask or monitor the machinery. And advanced HMIs are giving more options on how to control machinery. Meanwhile, AR/VR and artificial intelligence are poised to contribute even more.
Overview
Sending commands and getting reporting from robotics systems used to require trained staff who could stitch together the correct programming incantations to tell the robot how to do its jobs, with tweaks or changes made at intervals. If the robot needed to be retrained, the technician would need to create new instructions.
This approach hampered productivity and considerably increased the operating expense of each robot. However, new concepts about how to instruct robots has democratized their use. High-definition, rugged displays and intuitive HMIs are increasingly integrated into each robot. Their seamless integration into wireless environments mean they can be accessed and assessed from almost any mobile device. Technologies like AR/VR means an operator can train and understand the machine in real-time. Artificial intelligence allows the software to suggest tweaks or process changes which might normally take an analyst, engineer and programmer to complete.
Simplified ways to direct robot systems eliminated one of the key challenges to widespread adoption. Learn more in this informative webinar in this roundtable discussion with industry experts.
Speakers
Edgar Sotter is a Senior Director of New Product Technology in the CSA Group. His team looks to the technology horizon for new developments and applications that could present opportunities for CSA's Test, Inspection and Certification business. Prior to joining CSA, Edgar worked as Senior Director, Product Strategies & Client Solutions at Systems with Intelligence Inc. (SWI), a manufacturer of monitoring products for the electrical sector. Edgar has 20 years of combined academic, technical and business experience. He has a PhD in electronic engineering from Universidad Rovira I Virgili (Spain), an Executive MBA from the University of Toronto (Canada) and a Bachelor's of Science in electronic engineering from Universidad del Norte (Colombia).
Mark is a business unit leader with more than 20 years of experience in the robotics and automation industry. Mark is driven by building new business, developing new relationships, and solving problems.
Haithem Mansouri leads Rockwell Automation's global Servo Motor business as well as digital technologies including Motion Software, Simulation and Robotics. He has more than 20 years experience in the field of Motion Control and Industrial Automation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics & Automation from the Haute Ecole Louvain en Hainaut, Belgium and a Master of Science in Applied Computer Science from the Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium.
Over the past 34 years, Dean Phillips has been a leader in the technology sectors and the world of smart manufacturing. His is a continuous advisor to the smart manufacturing advisory committees with Society of Manufacturing Engineers and PMA Precision Metalforming Association. Phillips has been a speaker on IoT, AI, robotics, VR and AR. He is the creator of reality safe, a VR / AR safety training solution for manufacturing, working with Purdue. Phillips has spent the majority of his time advancing IoT, maintenance and safety to be more predictive and develop outcome based solutions. He has been on the board of directors for SME and an advisor for TTU, MTSU and TCAT. He has been a contributing lecturer on big data and it’s value and need for artificial intelligence to filter the information into actionable items. Phillips provides safety and development to cobot users and assists universities to outline expectations from manufacturers.
Bryan is currently self-employed as a freelance and consulting roboticist. He previously spent 6 years working in Germany at ABB in the Robotics & Discrete Automation Division. Here, he was part of a team developing a new light-weight robot arm, or cobot. He was responsible for testing and analyzing the various sub-systems of the robot arm such as the drive unit and gripper as well as components such as slip-rings and harmonic drives. Bryan is particularly well-equipped to discuss these typical robot arm sub-systems and components. Bryan holds an MSc (Engineering) degree in Mechatronics, from Stellenbosch University. His master's thesis involved the development of a robotic arm concept for key-hole surgery procedures. The thesis also had a substantial computer vision component which provided the positional target for the robot arm.
Aaron Prather is the director of Robotics & Autonomous Systems Program at ASTM International, where he oversees standards development, training and workforce development efforts, and R&D funding. Prior to joining ASTM, Aaron was the senior advisor for robotics R&D at FedEx, where he developed and deployed numerous systems into their global operations. Prather has written numerous articles about robotics and their role and impact on workforce development. He is on numerous boards and committees that develop curriculum for robotics training.