Universal Robots Shows Deep Learning-Based Part Detection for Machine Tending Cobots at IMTS
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Universal Robots Shows Deep Learning-Based Part Detection for Machine Tending Cobots at IMTS

The pioneer of collaborative robotics is set to unveil a new AI-powered machine tending solution at IMTS, enabling faster batch changeovers by eliminating the need for fixtures. Additionally, the company will showcase advanced cobot applications for welding, finishing, part feeding, and laser marking.

NOVI, Mich. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — August 28, 2024 — When Universal Robots (UR) recently surveyed 1,200 manufacturers across North America and Europe about their use of technology and future investment plans, over 50% of the respondents indicated they are now using AI and machine learning in their production processes.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240828204094/en/

Universal Robots will show a wide range of new cobot-powered applications at IMTS, incl. dynamic path planning (pictured bottom center) that ensures the cobot takes the most effective, collision-free paths without the user needing to configure these motions. This is especially valuable when the precise location the robot is picking parts from is unknown. (Photo: Business Wire)

Universal Robots will show a wide range of new cobot-powered applications at IMTS, incl. dynamic path planning (pictured bottom center) that ensures the cobot takes the most effective, collision-free paths without the user needing to configure these motions. This is especially valuable when the precise location the robot is picking parts from is unknown. (Photo: Business Wire)

“AI isn’t just hype,” says Ujjwal Kumar, Group President of Teradyne Robotics, parent company of Universal Robots. “We’re seeing significant interest in physical AI. By adding high-performance compute hardware to our control systems and investing in targeted software upgrades, we’re establishing UR as the preferred robotics platform for developing and deploying AI applications.”

At UR’s IMTS booth #N 236131, September 9-14 in Chicago, the company will show a machine-tending application with new AI-based perception capabilities running on NVIDIA Jetson and Isaac acceleration libraries integrated into UR’s new PolyScope X platform. This combination enables dynamic path planning, ensuring the robot takes the most effective, collision-free paths in and out of the machine without requiring extensive user configuration. UR plans to make this cutting-edge technology available for a wide range of applications, including machine tending and other material handling tasks.

“We’re looking forward to showing IMTS attendees robust deep learning solutions that will significantly impact manufacturing, especially for high mix/low volume production, which is increasingly common in machine tending,” Kumar adds. AI will also be a focal point during UR’s popular Cobot Walks — guided tours throughout IMTS that explore the latest cobot innovations in machine tending, metal fabricating, support tools, UR+ peripherals, and education.

It's all about uptime

An important production parameter is cobot uptime. To ensure seamless operations and increased efficiency, UR has launched the enhanced UR Care Service Plans that now offer preventive field service, onsite break-fix, dedicated remote support and secure cloud connectivity-based cobot service/performance monitoring through UR Connect, showcased for the first time at IMTS.

“We want to be our customers’ steadfast ally, helping them optimize performance, maintain peak hardware condition and uptime, and extend the lifespan of their cobots,” says Anurag Thakur, VP of Service & Aftermarket at UR, who also emphasizes UR Care’s new Field Service program, an offering that both ensures prompt onsite repairs with industry-leading response times and preventive maintenance visits by skilled automation experts.

Unlike other service and repair offerings that often involve numerous platforms, channels, and logins, UR now provides all service, support, and training through the fleet management portal myUR.

Flourishing ecosystem displays new cobot applications

With more than 60 collaborative robot arms from UR hard at work throughout the show floor at McCormick Place, IMTS 2024 is a testament to the rapidly expanding UR ecosystem with OEM, UR+, and Certified System Integrator partners exhibiting a wide range of UR cobot-powered applications.

The UR+ ecosystem recently hit a milestone, announcing 500 UR+ products. Some of these will be featured at IMTS including Groundlight AI; visual inspection and anomaly detection using AI, Zimmer's tool changing interface also compatible for Schmalz grippers, SICK’s End-of-Arm Safeguard, Impaqt Robotics’ pneumagiQ, a universal pneumatic gripper interface, and Olis Robotics’ remote diagnostic and monitoring solution.

In UR’s booth, the UR+ products will be displayed alongside:

Empowering tomorrow’s workforce

IMTS attendees can also find UR at the Student Summit booth #121515 featuring four interactive demonstrations including a block stacking challenge for students, UR’s education kit for the classroom, and an exciting partner product featuring a UR cobot on an integrated mechatronics cart with safety.

Download press kit: Here

About Universal Robots

Universal Robots is a leading provider of collaborative robots (cobots) used across a wide range of industries and in education. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Odense, Denmark, with Americas headquarters in Novi, MI, Universal Robots aims to create a world where people work with robots, not like robots. Its mission is simple: Automation for anyone. Anywhere. Since introducing the world’s first commercially viable cobot in 2008, Universal Robots has developed a product portfolio reflecting a range of reaches and payloads and has sold over 75,000 cobots worldwide. An extensive ecosystem has grown around the company’s cobot technology creating innovation, choice for customers and a wide range of components, kits and solutions to suit every application.

Learn more at: www.universal-robots.com



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