• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Subscribe
  • Your Membership
    • Edit Your Profile
  • Services
    • Advertising
    • Case studies
    • Design
    • Email marketing
    • Lead generation
    • Magazine
    • Press releases
    • Publishing
    • Sponsored posts
    • Webcasting
    • Webinars
    • White papers
    • Writing
  • Shop
    • My Account
    • Cart
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Terms of use
  • Events

Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

  • News
  • Features
  • Sections A-Z
    • Agriculture
    • Aircraft
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Automation
    • Autonomous vehicles
    • Business
    • Computing
    • Construction
    • Design
    • Drones
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial robots
    • Industry
    • Infrastructure
    • Investments
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Marine
    • Material handling
    • Materials
    • Mining
    • Promoted
    • Research
    • Robotics
    • Science
    • Sensors
    • Service robots
    • Software
    • Space
    • Technology
    • Transportation
    • Warehouse robots
    • Wearables
  • Video
  • Webinars
  • White papers
  • Press releases
  • Featured companies
    • AMD Xilinx
    • BlueBotics
    • Elite Robot
    • RGo Robotics
    • SICK Sensor Intelligence
    • Vicor Power

Helping robots ‘see’ by using advanced AI and video in manufacturing

January 11, 2022 by Mai Tao Leave a Comment

Not long ago, a world inhabited by robots was merely a sci-fi storyline.

Today, robots have become part and parcel of many manufacturing lines. We’ve become used to seeing them assemble, pick and pack, and zip down warehouses looking for the latest item for delivery.

They have become indispensable to many organizations and individuals, where many work hand-in-hand with human colleagues. Now, they are being given the ability to see and are using video technology to be even more efficient.

Rise of the cobot

Most of the robotic technology seen to date in manufacturing are termed “cobots”, or collaborative robots. These are collaborative robots that require human-to-robot interaction in order to work effectively.

They can (quite literally) pick up in areas where humans cannot, lifting and assembling heavy objects.

Simultaneously, they have helped to improve the safety and efficiency of assembly lines, with studies showing that human-cobot teams are 85 percent more productive than a human or robot operating alone.

Plus, their human colleagues report feeling more satisfied in their jobs when sharing their workload with a cobot partner. Indeed, 77 percent of employees would be happy to work alongside cobots if it meant fewer manual processes.

Greater potential

This potential can extend even further with advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) that are improving all robots’ capabilities. AI vision is a type of computer vision that enables robots (and cobots) to “understand” their surroundings and human co-workers in greater detail.

There are two types: 2D and 3D vision. With 3D vision, robots can understand an object in all three dimensions (its size, shape, and orientation) including depth.

Giving these robots the power of vision helps them see everything around them and everything they touch with a high degree of accuracy.

This will have huge ramifications for the industry. To start, the machine vision market is growing rapidly. It is projected to reach $2.4 billion (US) by 2025, from $1.5 billion in 2020. As the sector grows, so too will its applications for cobots.

More uses

Until this development, cobots have essentially acted as strong and efficient extra limbs for operators. Now, with machine vision, they are developing situational awareness to complement their mobility and dexterity.

They will be able to undertake more challenging activities, such as picking and packing fragile or difficult-to-hold items. Supported by video, cobots can orientate and perform different actions on the same object based on its positioning. They can also be programmed for quality control.

Moreover, AI vision will allow cobots to work in less structured environments. Because of the situational awareness created, cobots will be able to function effectively in agricultural and food processing plants where not everything on a conveyor belt may be the same size and structure.

Cobots will also be able to work with random parts placed on a belt or racking automobile components.

Improved safety

Cobots with AI vision will also be able to operate more safely. They can automatically detect when they are close to a human colleague and either slow down or stop completely based on set distance parameters.

This reduces the likelihood of a robot-related accident on the plant floor and can reassure human colleagues working alongside them. Hanwha Techwin has been driving progress in this area, working with the robotics arm of the Hanwha Corporation to augment its equipment with deep learning and AI vision.

For example, Hanwha’s HCR Advanced robots are configurable with a “Robot Monitoring Service”, which uses camera technology from Hanwha Techwin to keep a close eye over the immediate workspace, sounding warnings in the event of imminent danger.

Other video-based solutions for Hanwha’s robots include “Robot AI 3D Vision”, which adds a 3D camera so the robot can scan its surroundings and use deep learning technology to optimize its movements.

A separate “Robot Visual Safety” feature tracks the location of the human operators with whom the robot shares its space, to avoid accidents.

Should someone step into the robot’s “yellow zone”, it will automatically slow its movements to lower the risk of collision. And if a human steps into the cobot’s “red zone”, it will stop completely.

Optimising performance

At the same time, AI vision can use cameras placed across a manufacturing plant to supervise the performance of the cobots themselves. Again, this is an area where Hanwha Corporation is innovating by calling on the video technology expertise of Hanwha Techwin.

The AI system can proactively alert plant operators of potential issues, such as the risk of a cobot breaking down. If a cobot stops working, the AI system can detect this quickly and flag it to engineering for a quick response. I

t could also tell maintenance when to service a particular cobot based on its state when operating. Visual data from the plant floor could tell supervisors how well the cobots are performing and could inform future plant layouts.

Autonomous mobile robots moving around a plant floor can use visual data to learn the layout of a warehouse. They can navigate safely around obstacles in real-time and find the most efficient route through a building. This will save humans from doing time-consuming and laborious manual transport.

Constantly improving

Insights from cameras placed inside and alongside robots can be combined with deep learning to optimise their movements. A cobot can automatically assess how well it has assembled or packed an object based on the visual data being sent back to it.

It can then try different combinations or movements until it reaches the one that achieves the best results in the most efficient time.

Part of a digital evolution

It’s worth mentioning the wider scale of digitisation happening in manufacturing today. So-called Industry 4.0 relies on AI vision and deep learning, advances in the Internet of Things (IoT) Machine to Machine (M2M) communications, 5G, cloud technology and more.

These will ultimately all work together to make warehouses and production lines smarter. Creating safer and more productive relationships between robots and humans.

Major manufacturing issues could become a thing of the past, as proactive maintenance and intelligent shipping are made possible, while workplace safety is maintained using advanced video analytics from Hanwha Techwin.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Share this:

  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • WhatsApp
  • Telegram
  • Pocket

You might also like…

Filed Under: Features, Industrial robots Tagged With: ai, based, cobot, cobots, deep, efficient, hanwha, human, learning, machine, manufacturing, movements, plant, robot, robots, safety, technology, techwin, video, vision, visual, work

Join the Robotics & Automation News community

Reader Interactions

You must log in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Latest articles

  • Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Memorable Logo Online
  • Roll-Up vs Sectional Garage Doors: What’s Best for Your Home?
  • Are Garage Door Seals Important? Top 3 Benefits of a Well-Sealed Garage Door
  • Troubleshooting Chamberlain Garage Door Opener Beeping in Charlotte
  • Meltio launches new robot cell for additive manufacturing
  • Orlando and Beep launch autonomous shuttle pilot
  • Motion & Control enterprises acquires Ultimation Industries
  • Clevon’s T-Mobile powered autonomous delivery robot fleet zooms into smart city Peachtree Corners
  • Purdue thermal imaging innovation allows AI to ‘see through pitch darkness like broad daylight’
  • Blendid expands robotic smoothie kiosk presence on California college campuses

Most Read

  • Snapchat Plus Planet Order 2023 Explained
    Snapchat Plus Planet Order 2023 Explained
  • How to Track a Phone Number on Google Maps
    How to Track a Phone Number on Google Maps
  • Why is Money Important in Our Lives?
    Why is Money Important in Our Lives?
  • Fernride raises $50 million in Series A funding to scale autonomous yard trucking
    Fernride raises $50 million in Series A funding to scale autonomous yard trucking
  • The Future of Personal Computers: What to Expect in the Next Decade
    The Future of Personal Computers: What to Expect in the Next Decade
  • Carnegie Mellon builds killer robot to save economy
    Carnegie Mellon builds killer robot to save economy
  • ABB plans stunning new robotics hub in Sweden as part of $280 million investment in Europe
    ABB plans stunning new robotics hub in Sweden as part of $280 million investment in Europe
  • What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
    What You Need to Know About Fixing an Engine Misfire
  • How Much Does a Drone Light Show Cost?
    How Much Does a Drone Light Show Cost?
  • Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power
    Difference Between Three-Phase and Single-Phase Power

Overused words

ai applications automated automation automotive autonomous business companies company control customers data design development digital electric global industrial industry logistics machine manufacturing market mobile operations platform process production robot robotic robotics robots safety software solution solutions system systems technologies technology time vehicle vehicles warehouse work

Secondary Sidebar

Latest news

  • Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Memorable Logo Online
  • Roll-Up vs Sectional Garage Doors: What’s Best for Your Home?
  • Are Garage Door Seals Important? Top 3 Benefits of a Well-Sealed Garage Door
  • Troubleshooting Chamberlain Garage Door Opener Beeping in Charlotte
  • Meltio launches new robot cell for additive manufacturing
  • Orlando and Beep launch autonomous shuttle pilot
  • Motion & Control enterprises acquires Ultimation Industries
  • Clevon’s T-Mobile powered autonomous delivery robot fleet zooms into smart city Peachtree Corners
  • Purdue thermal imaging innovation allows AI to ‘see through pitch darkness like broad daylight’
  • Blendid expands robotic smoothie kiosk presence on California college campuses

Footer

We are…

Robotics and Automation News was established in May, 2015, and is now one of the most widely-read websites in its category.

Please consider supporting us by becoming a paying subscriber, or through advertising and sponsorships, or by purchasing products and services through our shop – or a combination of all of the above.

Thank you.

Independent

Archivists

January 2022
M T W T F S S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Dec   Feb »

Complex

Old-skool

This website and its associated magazine, and weekly newsletter, are all produced by a small team of experienced journalists and media professionals.

If you have any suggestions or comments, feel free to contact us at any of the email addresses on our contact page.

We’d be happy to hear from you, and will always reply as soon as possible.

Future-facing

Free, fair and legal

We support the principles of net neutrality and equal opportunities.

Member of The Internet Defense League

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT