Speaking of robotics and collaborative robotics—my last post mentioned Universal Robots. The company is alive and well as a part of a conglomerate since 2017. UR leaps on the AI bandwagon at IMTS announcing an AI-powered machine tending solution. This enables faster batch changeovers by eliminating the need for fixtures.
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.
So, AI isn’t just hype, they conclude.
“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.”
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.
Service has become an important strategy for mature companies. Not surprising, 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.
The company will also showcase its extensive partner ecosystem.
