ROBO News, features. updates | ROBOPRO 06 | April 2019

COBOTS, THE FUTURE OF MAINTENANCE

ROBOT R&D, BEARINGS

AUTOMATE IS HERE

ISSUE 06 - APRIL 2019

ROBO NEWS, FEATURES, UPDATES

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ROBOTICS PROFESSIONAL

ROBOPRO TEAM

CONTENTS 4

ED’S WELCOME - Fast moving

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NEWS - Catch-up on the industry

Publishing Director alex.sullivan@mvpromedia.eu

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AUTOMATE - Chicago, Chicago…

Cally Bennett

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LMI - The benefits of multi-sensor alignment

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FANUC UPRISING - Upskilling,the key for UK manufacturing

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ROBOT R&D BEARING - How quality bearings are integral for improving accuracy in the robotics industry.

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COBOTS AND TIME FUTURE - Unplanned downtime is one of the biggest problems in manufacturing.

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B-LOONEY - Puts universal robotsgold edition cobot to work

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ROBO BUSINESS - Round up of news

Neil Martin Editor-in-Chief neil.martin@mvpromedia.eu

Alex Sullivan

Group Business Manager cally.bennett@mvpromedia.eu

Sean Welch Sales Manager sean.welch@mvpromedia.eu

Rachel Bray Head of Design rachel.bray@cliftonmedialab.com

Georgie Davey Junior Designer georgie.davey@cliftonmedialab.com

Visit our website for daily updates

www.mvpromedia.eu

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MVPro Media is published by IFA Magazine Publications Ltd, Arcade Chambers, 8 Kings Road, Bristol BS8 4AB Tel: +44 (0)117 3258328 © 2019. All rights reserved ‘MVPro Media’ is a trademark of IFA Magazine Publications Limited. No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in any printed or electronic retrieval system without prior permission. All material has been carefully checked for accuracy, but no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies.

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FAST MOVING Spend anytime around the robotics industry and you’ll realise two things: it’s vast and fast moving.

It spans every sub-sector of industry and is increasingly forcing its way into general society. The robots are not coming, they are here. Things are happening at an incredible speed, so much so, that innovations appear common place and every day there is a new development.

I feel a tad sorry for those executives who are in charge of automation and are currently being bombarded with robot manufacturers, and all the infrastructure companies, setting out their stalls and making their pitches.

It’s no secret that whilst the robots may have arrived, many companies are resistant to their introduction, and industry marketing teams far and wide are developing strategies to make robots more palatable to companies. It’s a struggle, but once the dam bursts, there should be holding back.

is the human cost. Founders and major shareholders are wiped out, investors get to nurse losses and employees are suddenly without jobs, worried about making ends meet and trying to find new employment. A company failure is never a pretty site and the collateral damage is huge.

However, Our Robo Business section makes a nice contrast to the Rethink problems. The market news is good and positive.

Generally, as they like to say, the future looks bright. Let’s help it continue that way.

All the best, Neil Martin Editor

Which leads me to some sad news. Since our last issue of the RoboPro Magazine, the US company Rethink has exited stage left.

For many in the know it was not a shock, but for any fledgling industrial sector trying to prove its credibility, Rethink will be an awkward historical footnote. If the cobot is the future for the next decade, then why was the company allowed to fail? It has been widely reported that the company had a large order go sour and although a white knight had been on the horizon, ready to save the day, it had dropped out of negotiations at the last moment.

This can happen in any industry, and even to the best managed companies, but it will be a timely reminder to everyone that everything robo will not turn to gold.

There is a happy ending to the story, with the HAHN Group picking up many of the pieces and giving new life to the chipper Sawyer cobot. HAHN is an international technology leader for automatisation and robotics, and as part of the deal, it acquired all patents and trademarks of Rethink Robotics as well as its software platform “INTERA5.”

It must have been a dream opportunity for HAHN and they have cleverly positioned themselves as a leading contender in the cobot market.

It is good news for some of the people involved as well, especially as what is usually forgotten in these situations

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Neil Martin Editor neil.martin@mvpromedia.eu Arcade Chambers, 8 Kings Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 4AB MVPro B2B digital platform and print magazine for the global machine vision industry RoboPro B2B digital platform and print magazine for the global robotics industry www.mvpromedia.eu

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International trade fair for quality assurance D 07. – 10. MAY 2019

a STUTTGART

Quality Makes the Difference As the world’s leading trade fair for quality assurance, the 33rd

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Measuring technology

Control will bring users from all over the world together with inter-

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Material testing

national market leaders and innovative suppliers of all QA relevant

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Analytical apparatus

hardware and software technologies, products, subsystems and

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Optoelectronics

complete solutions.

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QA systems / service

@ www.control-messe.com

Organizer:

P. E. SCHALL GmbH & Co. KG

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+49 (0) 7025 9206-0

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control@schall-messen.de

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AI KEY IS THE KEY TO TALENT STRATEGIES AI key is the key to talent strategies says a new survey from human resource executives.

Nearly one in three (29%) HR managers believe that the rise of Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Process Automation will be the greatest opportunity for their business from a talent management perspective in the next six months.

Over 2,000 senior HR professionals were pooled by Alexander Mann Solutions.

The survey also found that half of those questioned (50%) are now using talent analytics to plan and manage workforces, with 14% indicating that they were using this technology ‘extensively’. A further 27% said that while they were not already harnessing people data, they are planning to in the near future.

Andrew Wayland, Chief Technology Officer, Alexander Mann Solutions, comments;

This latest data from the global talent acquisition and management specialist shows that 68% of businesses are currently witnessing skills shortages which have the potential to impact their profitability.

“With recent research from PwC finding that global GDP will rise by 14% by 2030 as a direct result of AI, it is little surprise that the HR community are increasingly exploring the potential emerging technologies.

When quizzed on their biggest talent headaches, building an employer brand which appeals to a diverse talent pool was top of the list, with 23% of those surveyed citing this as a key challenge. Retaining high performers without large financial incentives was the greatest hurdle for 11% of respondents, representing a notable fall since 2017, when almost a quarter of HR managers (22%) indicated that this was their primary concern.

“Practitioners clearly see the positive impact that AI and automation can have on the workplaces of tomorrow, and are exploring ways to harness technology to make operations more efficient. However, while RPA and intelligent systems can boost accuracy and productivity within talent management functions – and throughout the wider business landscape – the HR leaders we work with understand and value the limitations of machines.”

CONSULTANCY LAUNCHES ONLINE PROCESS COST CALCULATOR A business transformation consultancy has launched an online Process Cost Calculator.

be measured and analysed for process improvements. A BPA solution could include one or several RPAs.

The calculator, developed by ONQU, is designed to help an organisation evaluate the true cost, particularly the personnel cost, of running a repeating internal process, as a precursor to assessing the value of automating that process.

ONQU director Steve Priestnall said: “Many organisations don’t understand the real, fully loaded cost of a process, factoring in all staff and management time, which is why our Process Cost Calculator is invaluable. It can make clear the savings to be found in using RPA to automate mundane, low value and often data-intensive tasks that are prone to mistakes, with the added benefit of sometimes dramatic increases in productivity, especially in high volume, high compliance and complex systems environments.

The output of the calculator, as well as providing valuable insights itself, can be fed into ONQU’s Return On Investment (ROI) Calculator to estimate the savings available through automating the process using Robotic Process Automation (RPA) software. This considers the cost of implementing and supporting the automation.

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is different from the more established Business Process Automation (BPA). BPA optimises and often changes the way processes work, with solutions that might mix various approaches, processes and technologies. RPA, in contrast, is a single piece of software used for a specific process that is repetitive, low value and often data intensive. RPA doesn’t set out to change the process but maps exactly the actions of the human user and then, in effect, the robot processor becomes a virtual user, performing the same tasks but much faster and more accurately, 24 hours a day, with a range of metrics that can

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“Robotic automation offers softer benefits, too, such as freeing up staff time for more customer-facing activity or people-to-people tasks that can’t be automated. By taking away some of the drudgery it can make work more meaningful and rewarding, while fewer mistakes or compliance issues can do wonders for an organisation’s reputation and risk profile.”

ONQU technical director Dave Brown said: “RPA doesn’t require significant IT spend, or staff time, on either implementation or support. Implementation is typically measured in days and there is little or no systems integration as the software simply replicates user actions.

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N EWS Organisations continue with the same processes but more accurately, faster and continuously.

“Without a doubt, RPA is coming to a small screen near you. And our new Process Cost Calculator, which is freely

available online with no strings attached, helps you decide which processes to target, by knowing the cost and then working out the ROI.”

ROBOT SECTOR CEO GETS ACCOLADE CEO of Alias Robotics, David Mayoral, is one of the most influential entrepreneurs according to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

The 30 recipients of the award are said to have changed the world through innovative entrepreneurship Mayoral, at 27, has already founded two successful robotics companies, and his other recognitions include winning the B2B category of South Summit in 2018, Young Entrepreneur of Spain 2015, Alaves of the Month, and Leader of one of Top 30 Promising Robotics Startups.

In 2014, at only 19 years of age, David made himself an entrepreneur. Alongside his brother, the pair created Erle Robotics. The company produced artificial brains for robots and after only two years of scaling the company, it sold to a Swiss Multinational called Acutronic Robotics.

Now in 2019, Mayoral is the CEO and founder of his second robotics startup, Alias Robotics, which is creating the first robot immune system (RIS) as cybersecurity for robots.

He told RoboPro Magazine that he saw a gap in the market after noticing that most companies focus on cybersecurity in the IT world, not Robotics. RIS is a bioinspired hardware solution that mimics the defensive principle of the human immune system; it functions to protect a robot ́s condition while preventing attackers from penetrating its system and exploiting it.

Mayoral sees only opportunities and has big plans for the strategic growth of Alias. He is currently in the process of closing a Seed round in the next month, expanding the team, and increasing clients.

8 12 16 25 35 50 No lottery numbers, but the focal lengths of the new CF-ZA series for 1.1" sensors

Always six right numbers: With only 39mm diameter and 2.5µm pixel size Especially developed for 1.1" sensors, the new CF-ZA series offers a high resolving power of 2.5µm pixel size and consistent brightness from the image center to the corners without vignetting. And that with an extremely small diameter of only 39mm.

More at www.fujifi lm.eu/fujinon. Fujinon. To see more is to know more.

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GÜDEL’S NEW TELESCOPIC AXIS DELIVERS HIGH PAYLOADS IN LOW CEILING ENVIRONMENTS A short feature from Güdel on their new product The overall height of a gantry robot depends not only on the support structure but also on the length of the vertical axis when in the raised position. Low ceilings in some manufacturing environments, combined with a long vertical axis will always present significant challenges to gantry designers. Güdel, however, now offers an elegant and practical solution that meets all requirements in terms of load capacity, service life, safety and ease of maintenance with their new optimised telescopic vertical axis.

Up until now telescopic axis design has had inherent limitations, including a reduced payload that can often be as much as 50% of that of a standard axis. In addition, older telescopic axis designs leave little room for enhancements to safety, functionality monitoring or any other configuration options, such as an integral rotate axis.

(Güdel’s new telescopic axis design – right – requires significantly less headroom, but delivers the same payload capacity of a standard axis) To overcome the drawbacks and restrictions of traditional telescopic axes, Güdel has now launched a fundamentally revised telescopic axis design featuring hugely improved performance in terms of weight capacity, dynamics and safety.

This new design is very much equivalent to a standard fixed axis, as both versions have exactly the same payload. In effect, the new Güdel axis has a 50% increase in payload when compared to their previous telescopic axis, thanks to its double profile tube construction. Other advantages include a second toothed belt, which provides additional security for the inner carrier profile and optical monitoring of both belts The new space-saving design also makes it possible to integrate a safety brake into the telescopic axis. The new variant is also very maintenance friendly, so changing rollers, belts or even the guide carriages is quick and easy.

This latest development from Güdel is a continuation of the company’s philosophy of ongoing product development and enhancement.

UK EMPLOYEES WANT ROBOTS TO TAKE OVER CERTAIN JOBS The automatica Trend Index has revealed that UK employees want robots to take over the unhealthy (83%), hazardous (77%) or monotonous (72%) jobs.

The results come from a market research institute on behalf of automatica, one the world’s leading trade fair for robotics and automation, which interviewed 1000 employees and asked them about the workplace of the future.

The majority of workers in the UK not only want robots to take over the difficult work. About 70% think that robots

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give people the chance to learn more qualified work and create more opportunities for education and training.

Asked about the level of maturity, 40% of working people report, that training for the digital world has already been successfully established by their employer. But only 6% think such initiatives have reached a level of excellence.

The backdrop to the report is that industrial robot installations in the UK increased for the third year in a row to around 2,300 units according to the IFR World Robotics Report 2018). This is an increase of 31% over 2016–2017.

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Building the Adaptable, Intelligent World

Scalable IIoT Platforms Across Edge and Cloud

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CEO OF ACUTRONIC ROBOTICS JOINS ROS 2 TECHNICAL STEERING COMMITTEE The CEO of Acutronic Robotics, Víctor Mayoral, has joined the ROS2 Technical Steering Committee.

He will help set the technical direction for the second generation of the Robot Operating System (ROS) alongside representatives from Amazon, Arm, Bosch, Intel and Microsoft.

In September, Open Robotics, the organization behind ROS, announced a Technical Steering Committee (TSC) to set the technical direction for ROS 2, the second generation of the Robot Operating System.The ROS 2 Technical Steering Committee is broadening participation to accelerate ROS 2 delivery: determining the roadmap, developing core tools and libraries and establishing working groups to focus on important topics.

TM ROBOTIC LAUNCHES TOSHIBA MACHINE’S THE600 SCARA ROBOT IN THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET last year, promises to boost manufacturers productivity without extortionate investments. Boasting twice the speed and 60% higher payload capacity than competing SCARA models in the same price range, both the models provide ideal investments for those new to automation said TM Robotics.

“Combining high speed operation with a high payload capacity, the THE600 model has been developed to meet growing demand for fast-cycle automation,” explained Nigel Smith, president of TM Robotics. “Manufacturers are looking for machines to deliver improved precision and enhanced performance without breaking the bank, particularly in parts assembly, testing and transfer processes.

“As one of the first industrial robot manufacturers to bring SCARA models to the market, Toshiba Machine has a wealth of experience in developing this technology.

This knowledge and engineering allows TM Robotics to provide cutting-edge robots to our customers at a fair and attainable price.”

TM Robotics is launching Toshiba Machine’s THE600 SCARA robot in the North American market.

The company will use Automate 2019 to showcase Toshiba Machine’s latest robots and demonstrations will include models from the SCARA and six-axis range, as well as robot programming tool, TSAssist.

The THE600 is the latest addition to Toshiba Machine’s range and builds upon the established specifications of the THE400. Toshiba Machine’s THE400, which was launched

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TM Robotics will be exhibiting alongside distribution partner, ASG Jergens. ASG is an RIA certified Integrator, focusing on the assembly industry. Having established a partnership with TM Robotics in 2017, ASG has since integrated ASG screw feeding systems with Toshiba Machine robots for its customers. At Automate 2019, ASG will demonstrate exactly how Toshiba Machine’s SCARA and Cartesian robots can be used to automate screwing and feeding applications.

TM Robotics will also exhibit other robots from its extensive selection, including the TVM range of models. The TVM range is a vertically articulated series available in three different sizes, lending itself to a multitude of industries.

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CHICAGO, CHICAGO… Every two years the wonderful city of Chicago hosts the bi-annual Automate show. And Automate 2019 promises to be one of the biggest yet.

The organisers say that Automate will feature exhibitors than ever before from across the globe. Countries being represented include Japan, Korea, China, Germany, Taiwan, United Kingdom and Brazil.

With over 500 of the leading automation companies attending, the event will showcase the latest advances in robotics, artificial intelligence, motion control, motors, vision, metrology, sensors, assembly and other automation technologies.

One of the features of the show occurs on the opening day of the show, Monday, with the International Automation Day in the floor theater. They will begin programming in the afternoon with the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) roundtable, Global Race for Leadership in Robotics and AI. Panelists from Asia, Europe, and the US take a closer look at who is currently leading the robotics market.

“ With over 500 of the leading automation companies attending, the event will showcase the latest advances ” What’s more, Mexico has become a hot spot for robotics and automation over the last few years, which is why the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) recently created A3 Mexico to help support and grow the industry in the country. This panel will discuss the opportunities that exist in Mexico along with strategies to help attendees successfully do business there.

MATROX IMAGING One company which will be at Automate 2019 is very familiar to MVPro readers, Montreal based Matrox Imaging.

It will use the event to showcase the latest innovations in machine vision and industrial imaging hardware and software.

This year’s focus is Matrox Design Assistant X, the latest edition of the company’s flowchart-based vision application software, which integrates a host of new tools to perform image classification using deep learning, highlight surface

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imperfections using photometric stereo techniques, as well as the ability to interface directly with third-party 3D sensors.

APPLIED MOTION PRODUCTS Another company who will be exhibiting at Automate 2019 is Applied Motion Products.

It will demonstrate a selection of new integrated motors and drives for both servo and stepper motors.

PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY INCLUDE: • MDX Integrated Servo Motors that combine high torque density, low inertia servo motors with on-board drives and controllers to create all-in-one integrated motor solutions that save on space, wiring, and cost over conventional servo systems with separate motor and drive components; • StepSERVO Integrated Motors that provide cost-effective and high-torque motion control for high through put applications such as packaging and labeling, automated test and measurement, and automated assembly; • STF Stepper Drives that support a range of industrial Ethernet and Fieldbus network protocols including EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, CANopen, Modbus, Ethernet and RS-485, as well as a proprietary Serial Command Language (SCL) for efficient network communications over Ethernet (UDP or TCP) and RS-485. Using STF Stepper Drives, system designers and machine builders have the flexibility to control step motors using the network protocol of their choice; • SV200 Digital Servo Drives that operate on 24, 48 or higher DC supply voltages for space-constrained and multi-axis motion control applications.

Applied Motion Products specializes in high-precision, cost-effective motion control products including stepper and servo motors, drives, controllers, gearheads, and power supplies.

The company serves a diverse industrial and OEM customer base with both standard and customized products. RB

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SPONSORE D FEATU RE

THE BENEFITS OF MULTI-SENSOR ALIGNMENT WITH 6 DEGREES OF FREEDOM (6DOF)

Many of today’s inline quality control applications require vision systems to inspect targets that are larger than a single sensor’s field of view. Examples include log scanning, electronic parts (PCB, tablets, laptops) inspection, large automotive component and assembly inspection (doors, engine blocks, cylinder heads), and inspection of factory panels.

Multi-sensor networking using 3D smart sensors is the ideal solution to this challenge. The ability to synchronize scanning and perform alignment and stitching across multiple scan devices offers several key benefits.

6 DoF in Flexible Sensor Alignment Industrial inspection applications present a number of variables that need to be compensated for in the setup of a sensor network. This includes inaccurate mounting, or the need for a specific rotation to optimize scan results (e.g., angling the sensor to improve the signal on reflective targets).

MULTI-SENSOR NETWORKS ARE: (1) Flexible – Users can set up a network in any layout they want, including ring, opposing, angled, and staggered.

(2) Scalable – Users can network any number of sensors to meet the needs of their particular application.

(3) Simple – In a smart sensor, the required software for networking is already onboard. A single cable connects the sensor to a dedicated master network controller that handles power distribution and micro-second data synchronization.

“6 degrees of freedom in sensor alignment allows the user to choose the axes on which offsets and rotations are calculated.”

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For non-reflective targets a straight sensor setup is ideal (left). For specular targets, the sensor is rotated on the X-axis to minimize reflected light and generate cleaner scan data (right). 6 DoF alignment supports this type of angled sensor setup.

3D smart sensors such as Gocator® solve these challenges by providing advanced alignment options with 6 degrees of freedom (6 DoF). In essence, this means sensors can be staggered, rotated, angled, or offset in every coordinate direction (X,Y,Z) to fit specific applications. Gocator produces fully stitched 3D models in a single, world coordinate system which can then be used for accurate absolute measurement.

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HOW IS THE DATA HANDLED? Many vision engineers are specialized in identifying and measuring defects from a completed 3D height map.

However, they don’t want to deal with the complexity of triggering and combining data accurately from multiple sensors into one 3D point cloud/height map.

A 3D smart sensor takes care of this by extracting the data from multiple sensors and automatically aligning, merging, and resampling it into an aggregate 3D height map. The scan results are combined within a single world coordinate system, which allows the engineer to extract high-precision measurements on the combined 3D profile data.

As a result, engineers no longer have to carry out Software Development Kit (SDK) programming to combine the raw data. Everything is done natively onboard the sensor using built-in multi-sensor networking capabilities.

APPLICATION EXAMPLES A. Z-rotation angle correction is critical for data correlation of small electronic parts • Electronics, machining tools, and medical supplies inspection requires correlating results to CMM measurements • Correlation is done by comparing height data at specific XY locations • Slight Z-rotation misalignment results in skewed data, which affects correlation results • 6 DoF alignment allows engineers to correct for this skew

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B. High accuracy scanning of large automotive components • Six Gocator® line profilers are networked to cover the full part • The sensors automatically combine profile data and generate a single 3D height map for measurement and inspection • Gocator delivers the necessary coverage, resolution, and speed for 100% inline inspection

CONCLUSION 6 degrees of freedom in sensor alignment allows the user to choose the axes on which offsets and rotations are calculated. This functionality provides important options to improve scan results and measurement accuracy in specific application scenarios.

Here is a quick recap of the benefits for today’s busy vision engineer: • Choose the axes on which offsets and rotations are calculated • Align multi-sensor systems with built-in 6 DoF software • Stagger multi-sensor systems using Y offset (e.g., for small FOV sensors) • Automatically correct for inaccurate mounting or purposeful rotation using X rotation (e.g., in specular mounting) and Z rotation (e.g., angling the sensor to reduce edge noise) RB

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UPSKILLING, THE KEY FOR UK MANUFACTURING Tom Bouchier, Managing Director at FAN UC U K, offers his thoughts on the two key reports and discusses what the U K needs to change in order to compete with other nations.

DEBUNKING THE MYTHS OF ROBOTS REPLACING WORKERS As explained in the McKinsey report, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can play a key role in improving the global economy and is an opportunity that the UK must grasp. McKinsey suggests that there is likely to be a performance gap between companies that adopt AI tools and ‘non-adopters’, meaning benefits will be disproportional.

It’s no secret that the UK is behind many of its European counterparts when it comes to UK manufacturing and productivity. A recent report by the International Federation of Robots (IFR) highlighted the extent to the country’s lack of industrial robots, whilst McKinsey & Company has reiterated the benefits of automation to the economy in its Discussion Paper. The UK needs to offer a solution sooner rather than later if it is to maintain a competitive edge, but how can industrial robots play a key role in UK manufacturing?

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According to the IFR, there are just 71 industrial robots per 10,000 workers in the UK. That positions the UK behind 14 other European countries and, alarmingly, the only G7 country with a robot density below the world’s average (74 units). In contrast, Germany – Europe’s most automated country – has 309 units whilst the Czech Republic, the closest European country to the UK, has 101 units per 10,000 workers.

It’s clear that change is needed. One possible reason for the UK’s low performance could be linked to the stigma attached to the use of robotics and unemployment. If the UK is to catch up with the rest of the world, it’s going to need to adopt more automation in its manufacturing facilities and therefore shift this viewpoint.

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We have found that use of industrial robots goes hand-in-hand with upskilling, which can lead to an increased productivity rate. This helps remove the perceived threat to unemployment and also addresses the widely-reported skills gap, both of which are concerns shown by both the Government and industry.

Thanks to their ability to be reprogrammed, industrial robotics offer a long-lasting solution that go beyond their first use. And if more people are upskilled and become trained on programming, there’s even more benefits that manufacturers can, and should, be taking advantage of.

Earlier this year, Engineering UK reported that 265,000 skilled entrants are required each year to meet business demand. By bringing in robotic technology, engineers can be trained to learn how to programme a FANUC machine, a process that can be taught and understood in as few as four days.

WHAT DOES THE UK NEED TO DO NEXT?

IS AUTOMATION THE AFFORDABLE SOLUTION TO UK MANUFACTURING? Given the findings from both reports, it has become clear the UK needs to increase automation through manufacturing. In addition to the impact on employment, the associated costs with industrial robotics is also quite often a sticking point for UK manufacturers.

When discussing industrial robotics, affordability and pricing is more often-than-not going to be the first question asked by manufacturers. However, industrial robots aren’t as expensive as first thought and, on many occasions, are paid off in as little as 18 months.

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It’s clear that manufacturing is a going to be a key asset for the UK if it is to maintain a competitive edge after Brexit.

The UK cannot become a service industry and change is required before it slips further behind its global counterparts.

Therefore, a culture change in the views and perception of automation and robotic technology is needed.

The stigma attached to industrial robotics needs to be removed: it’s simply a tool for manufacturers to use that helps increase efficiency. The opportunity for upskilling is one that should be grasped and will eventually help address the skills gap, alleviating concerns people have towards the use of robots.

Ultimately, technology is always improving and we need to ensure we aren’t caught falling further behind. Positively positioning automation will not only benefit manufacturers’ capabilities, but it will also close the gap between the UK and the leading nations. RB

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ROBOT R&D:

BEARINGS Accuracy describes how closely a robot reaches a commanded position. When the absolute position of the robot is compared to the commanded position, the error calculated is the measure of accuracy.

Chris Johnson, managing director of precision bearing specialist SM B Bearings, explains how quality bearings are integral for improving accuracy in the robotics industry.

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Alongside repeatability, accuracy is one of the most important characteristics of robotic equipment. If the positioning of the robot is out, even by just 1mm, it can spell disaster for production, and for the condition of the equipment. For example, if a pick-and-place robot accidently hit the side of a bin as it attempted to reach for an item — the impact could damage the robot and shut down operations.

There are several methods of improving accuracy in robotic equipment, including additions to external sensing, such as a vision system or Infra-Red sensors. However, one factor that can improve accuracy in all cases, is selecting the right bearings during the research and development (R&D) stage of bringing a new robot to market.

Bearings may seem like a small consideration across the complexity of the entire process. That said, making the right selection can have a significant impact on the accuracy and effectiveness of the robot.

SPACE CONSERVATION The space available inside robots is often incredibly limited, with manufacturers aiming to produce smaller and more compact robots — particularly for the growing collaborative robot market. Thin section bearings are ideal for space conservation, as they deliver higher speeds and offer higher levels of design flexibility.

These bearings have very little difference in size between the internal and external ring, they are light weight and condensed, making them an ideal choice for robots, where both footprint and weight are at a premium.

Thin section bearings may be small, but there’s a lot that can go wrong if you buy just any brand. If the rings are not perfectly formed, even a minute discrepancy will stop the bearing running smoothly, causing fluctuations in the accuracy of the bearing.

This is where the quality department come in during your robot R&D process. By testing samples, quality assurance must check the manufacturing process has ensured the highest possible degree of roundness in both rings, as well as ensuring every bearing in the batch is manufactured to the same high standard.

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TIGHT TOLERANCES When you buy a batch of bearings, you would expect them to all be the same. Yet, this shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Tolerance levels and dimensional accuracy does vary across bearing types, materials and brands. It makes sense that any error in bearing measurement, will carry forward into the accuracy of a robot’s movement.

So, what’s the solution? If you want a safe bet, EZO thin bearings are known for their quality control and advanced manufacturing techniques. This results in very low tolerances and high levels of dimensional accuracy that other brands may struggle to match. Similarly, you may have your own testing facilities in house to check tolerance, and we’d encourage you to carry out these tests for yourself.

“ It ’s clear that consistency is crucial — and the same applies to how much lubricant is used in bearings for robots.”

OPTIMAL GREASE FILL It’s clear that consistency is crucial — and the same applies to how much lubricant is used in bearings for robots.

As robotic movements need predictable and accurate, some friction is essential to ensure control. Trial and error is therefore required to find the correct friction coefficient and its corresponding percentage grease fill for optimum performance. In fact, this is exactly what The Shadow Robot company did, in the development of the new Smart Grasping System.

With these steps ensuring bearing quality during the R&D process, robot manufacturers can guarantee accurate and predictable movement. If you are in need of precision bearings for robot applications, contact the experts at SMB Bearings on sales@smbbearings.com. RB

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COBOTS AND THE FUTURE OF MAINTENANCE Unplanned downtime is one of the biggest problems in manufacturing.

Recent research by the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) estimates that downtime can cost manufacturers anywhere between $30,000 and $50,000 an hour. The question is, how much can manufacturers reduce this figure with new technology? Here, Jonathan Wilkins, marketing director at obsolete industrial parts supplier E U Automation explains how collaborative robots can improve maintenance to cut this figure.

Machine breakdown can incur serious costs for manufacturers. It can prevent production, delay orders and raise labour costs.

To reduce the risk of downtime, manufacturers are introducing more intelligent technology to the factory floor. Automated equipment, for example can

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increase productivity, accuracy and flexibility. However, manufacturers need to consider how they maintain new technology, for the benefits to be long term.

ENTER THE COBOT Collaborative robots (cobots) can work alongside humans to complete tasks. Traditionally, industrial robots were large, caged machines that humans could not interact with as they were heavy, unaware of their surroundings and posed a safety risk.

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Unlike their heavier counterparts, cobots are easy to program and can work alongside people. They also come equipped with safety features that mean they stop or slow down when a human is nearby, which reduces the risk of a collision or safety threat.

Businesses ranging from small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to large industrial companies are purchasing cobots to improve their workflows.

COBOTS AND MAINTENANCE Most cobots are not designed with maintenance capabilities in mind. However, in-built functions mean that they can help technicians to reduce the risk of unplanned downtime.

Collaborative robots are built to complete complex tasks normally performed by humans to increase accuracy and reduce fatigue. This means that technicians can use cobots to complete intricate maintenance tasks in a hazardous environment, for example, when a machine excessively overheats.

RETROFITTING Small and medium manufacturing companies can see the benefits from a cobot’s versatility. Collaborative robots can be programmed and reprogrammed quickly, so they can be used for a variety of functions, with a quick and easy change in between.

Manufacturers can take advantage of this flexibility to place a collaborative robot at the most suitable point in the assembly line, to ensure it has the greatest impact on the business. SMEs should look to collaborative robots particularly for smaller tasks, as thismeans it can be added to current infrastructure rather than replacing the entire system.

“As cobots experience more, they will be able to recognise and anticipate issues, alerting humans of any potential breakdown”

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ROBOTS GO MOBILE British online supermarket Ocado is using collaborative robots to improve its maintenance processes. The company collaborated with manufacturers to build the ARMAR-6 prototype, an autonomous, humanoid robot that can help engineers reduce time spent on maintenance in the factory. The ARMAR-6 uses a three-camera system to detect and recognise humans and objects, speech recognition to understand commands and hands with grippers to pick up objects.

“The ambition is that the robot will be able to decide what the technician’s intentions are and chip-in as appropriate at the right point in time,” explains Graham Deacon, robotics research team leader at Ocado Technology. This will assist technicians in maintaining the automated warehouses the company relies on to complete orders.”

THE FUTURE Robots like the ARMAR-6 are changing how we interact with machinery. In the future, this relationship has the potential to grow even more. Artificial intelligence and machine learning allows robots to learn as they work and make their own decisions.

As cobots experience more, they will be able to recognise and anticipate issues, alerting humans of any potential breakdowns. Employees or robots could then carry out maintenance on the machine before it impacts production.

In future, it may be possible to program a cobot to independently complete maintenance tasks across the factory floor. As they are lightweight and cage-free, manufacturers could mount a cobot onto an automated guided vehicle (AGV), so it can freely move around the factory without disrupting human workers.

More technology in the factory could just mean more machines that are at risk of breakdown. However, the growing capabilities of automated technologies such as collaborative robots can improve maintenance processes to ultimately optimise productivity. One day, a robot may be able to fix itself. RB

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B-LOONY PUTS UNIVERSAL ROBOTS GOLD EDITION COBOT TO WORK

Chesham based B- Loony, a leading printer of promotional latex and foil balloons for major retailers, businesses, agencies and charities, has put its newest cobot to work. rising, further capacity through automation is planned.Four UR3 cobots from RARUK Automation now serve this area of the business on a 24-hour shift pattern.

Alec Jackson, RARUK, and James Clephan, B-Loony

B-Loony was a recent winner of a Gold Edition cobot from Universal Robots. The new addition will join six existing UR3 cobots on site, all of which are being used to increase productivity in previously laborious manual tasks and help the company gain vital market share. The cobots have been supplied by RARUK Automation.

B-Loony is a £7 million turnover, 65-employee business.

It recently achieved FSSC 22000 certification for its food-safe gourmet food flag manufacturing process. In 2014, the company received its first enquiry for 250 food flags. This was followed by an order for 500, then 1000, then 5000, then 10,000. As a relatively intricate manual assembly operation, the company decided that automation was the way forward.

“The problem we faced with finding an automated solution, was precision,” explained James Clephan, Operations Director at B-Loony. “The flag’s skewer has to be placed on the exact centre of the adhesive flag, so that when it folds over the edges align neatly.”

Clephan visited the PPMA exhibition that year and spotted RARUK Automation demonstrating a UR cobot on its stand.

The UR3 was busy picking up small dowels from a bowl feeder and Clephan immediately saw the potential for his own application.

B-Loony said that it has gained significant market share and can now produce 400,000 food flags a week, which equates to around 20 million a year, and with demand

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“RARUK Automation have been great from the outset,” added Clephan. “As this was our first foray into robotics, they initially lent us a UR3 so that we could gain confidence from the unit and see that it worked in the way we wanted.

This proved to be an invaluable experience.”

“The collaborative aspect of the UR3 cobots is pertinent in this respect,” he says. “Any workers who have had their jobs replaced by a cobot today work alongside the units. They have been upskilled and now manage the automation function of the operation. Some were naturally sceptical at first, but now they’ve seen it for themselves, our workforce has bought into the idea.”

B-Loony has continued to invest in UR3 cobots, since adding a further two units for a different purpose: bunting production. “With the recent royal wedding and World cup, bunting is in vogue again and we have witnessed a huge surge in demand,” said Clephan. “Our sewing machines were manually fed, we now have two UR3 cobots performing this task with more to follow. The Golden Edition cobot, which we were fortunate enough to win recently, will also go into this business area as part of the automation program” Universal Robots celebrating its 25,000th cobot sale by giving away a Gold Edition unit, shipped free of cost, to one lucky customer. However, due to a huge response and interest from customers all around the world, Universal Robots decided to offer a Gold Edition cobot to a customer in each of its geographical areas worldwide. In Northern Europe, B-Loony was the winner.

“The Golden Edition UR3 will soon be put to work alongside our existing robots, helping us to grow market share by producing two million metres of promotional bunting each year,” said Clephan. RB

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JOHNSON & JOHNSON BUYS AURIS HEALTH’S ROBOTIC PLATFORM FOR $3.4BN CASH Pharma giant Johnson & Johnson has acquired Auris Health’s Robotic Platform for $3.4bn in cash.

a visionary in the field of surgical robotics, will be joining Johnson & Johnson upon completion of this transaction.

A further $2.35bn will be payable if Auris hits certain milestones.

“We’re thrilled to be joining Johnson & Johnson to help push the boundaries of what is possible in medical robotics and improve the lives of patients across the globe. Together, we will be able to dramatically accelerate our collective product innovation to develop new interventional solutions that redefine optimal patient outcomes,” said Dr Moll. “This combination is a testament to the incredible work of the Auris Health team and the innovation engine behind the Monarch Platform, which represents a huge step forward in endoluminal technology. We look forward to continuing to shape the future of intervention with the added expertise and resources of the world’s largest healthcare organization.”

The deal expands Johnson & Johnson’sDigital Surgery Portfolio.

Auris Health is a privately held developer of robotic technologies, initially focused in lung cancer, with an FDA-cleared platform currently used in bronchoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

A statement from Johnson & Johnson said that this acquisition will accelerate its entry into robotics with potential for growth and expansion into other interventional applications.

“In this new era of health care, we’re aiming to simplify surgery, drive efficiency, reduce complications and improve outcomes for patients, ultimately making surgery safer,” said Ashley McEvoy, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Chairman, Medical Devices, Johnson & Johnson. “We believe the combination of best-in-class robotics, advanced instrumentation and unparalleled end-to-end connectivity will make a meaningful difference in patient outcomes.”

With this acquisition, Frederic Moll, MD, CEO and Founder of Auris Health and regarded by Johnson & Johnson as

The company statement went on to say: “Johnson & Johnson is continuously working to disrupt medical innovation. With Auris Health’s current focus on lung cancer, the Monarch Platform robotic technology will play an important role within the Lung Cancer Initiative at Johnson & Johnson (LCI), enabling the development of a differentiated digital solution that addresses key steps in the lung cancer care journey, from diagnosis to early stage intervention, that are central to the company’s commitment to develop solutions that prevent, intercept and cure this deadly disease.”

ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION SECTORS EXPECT FURTHER GROWTH IN 2019 SAYS VDMA Last year the German robotics and automation sector achieved record sales of €15bn, an increase of 4%.

Wilfried Eberhardt, Chairman of the VDMA Robotics and Automation Association, said: “The new record shows that worldwide demand for robotics and automation technologies from Germany remains high. However, the general political uncertainty and cooling of the global economy led to a more moderate growth than originally expected.

“Continuing global economic uncertainties do not permit a precise forecast for 2019. We are currently expecting growth of between 2% and 5% in the current year.”

sub-sectors varied: with an increase in sector sales of 9% to a total of 8.3 billion euros, Integrated Assembly Solutions was able to continue its dynamic growth course of the previous year. This was due, in particular, to a very high order backlog and strong domestic business.

“In 2018, Machine Vision was able to maintain the record level of 2.6 billion euros set in the previous year. Robotics, on the other hand, only slightly missed the previous year’s sales record of 4.2 billion euros and closed 2018 with industry sales of 4.1 billion euros. This is mainly attributed to the weakness in automobile sales – especially in the main market China.”

The VDMA statement added: “According to a preliminary analysis of the 2018 data, the development in the

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INDIA’S RECORD ROBOT SALES Sales of industrial robots in India reached a new record of 3,412 new units installed in 2017, according to the initial findings of the World Robotics Report 2018, published by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

The 30% increase compares to the previous year which saw 2,627 units installed.

Between 2012 and 2017 India experienced a compound annual sales growth rate of 1 %.

India’s automotive sector is the main customer with a share of 62% of the total supply 2017. Sales rose here by 27% compared to the previous year.

“The automotive industry will remain the main driver of the increasing robot installations in India,” says Junji Tsuda, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “Numerous new projects are announced by the international and domestic car manufacturers aiming to expand production capacities. Moreover, OEMs increasingly require local supply of automotive parts.”

The report also shows that there are clear signs that the general industry is catching up with the automotive sector.

Sales numbers of industrial robots in, for example the rubber and plastics, the metal industry, and the electrical and electronics industries, increased by 46% in 2017.

“The general industry will further invest in production capacities and modernisation to serve this growing consumer market,” said Tsuda. “Therefore, an accelerated and strong robot sales growth is expected between 2018 and 2021.”

India is one of the strongest growing economies among the Asian emerging markets. Since 2009, the number of robot installations has been growing rapidly. In 2017, India ranked number 14 regarding the global annual supply, following Thailand and Spain. Regarding the operational stock, India ranked thirteenth following Canada, Spain and Singapore.

India’s automation potential is illustrated by a rather low robot density figure: 85 industrial robots per 10,000 employees in the automotive industry is less than a fourth of Indonesia´s density (378 units) and far away from China´s (505 units).

GENIECONNECT FUNDING OVERSUBSCRIBED GenieConnect, a robot companion service from Service Robotics, is currently oversubscribed in its funding exercise on Crowdcube. At the time of writing it had raised 138% (£166,360) from 84 investors of the initial target of £120,000 with 24 days to go. Equity on offer is 9.16% and the pre-money valuation is £1.65m.

GenieConnect is an intelligent, personalised, robot companion service supporting extended independent living with companionship and memory stimulation software for older adults.

In the blurb accompanying the pitch on Crowdcube, the team at GenieConnect explains: “We live in an ageing society, where the needs of the older adults of the UK are increasingly unmet by our health and care systems.

GenieConnect strives to be an intelligent, personalised, robot companion service that supports extended

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independent living for older adults. We are looking to offer GenieConnect to users at an affordable all-inclusive monthly subscription and is completely voice enabled.

“The prospective features of the Genie robot include an interactive companion, offering reminders, video calling to family and friends and smart home management, as well as monitoring of the user environment remotely by family and a real-time video support function that connects the user to a dedicated 24×7 Care Centre. The friendly service agent, with their knowledge of the user’s likes and dislikes, routines & needs, will answer their queries.

“We will integrate GenieConnect with RemindMeCare, a partner software solution that promotes cognitive retention with memory stimulation. Once loaded with the user’s brief life story, Genie’s AI engine will offer reminiscence with family photos and videos, nostalgic articles, music and news.

The GenieConnect solution will be piloted with 150 users from Q1 2019, with the goal of a commercial launch in late-2019. The company’s ambition is to achieve 40,000 subscribers within three years, representing just 1.1% of the number of over 65s who live alone.

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SMALL ROBOT COMPANY RAISES £1.2M Small Robot Company aims to harness the power and precision of robots and Artificial Intelligence to improve the way that food is produced and minimise chemical usage.

It will make farms more profitable, and increase yield and efficiency, through using small robots instead of tractors.

Its farmbots Tom Dick and Harry will plant, feed and weed arable crops autonomously, with minimal waste.

British agritech Small Robot Company has raised £1.2m on Crowdcube equity crowdfunding platform.

It reached its initial funding target of £500,000 within minutes of its launch thanks largely to support from the farming community.

Investors included Matt Jones, Principle Designer at Google AI; Mark Ellingham, founder of the Rough Guides; and Andrew Ward, MBE, Farmers Weekly Farming Champion and Arable Farmer of the Year.

This now takes the total funding raised by the Small Robot Company to £2.5m in total. This includes two awards from Innovate UK, £300,000 seed funding from farmers (including £90,000 in presales), £50,000 raised from Indiegogo crowdfunding, and a £50,000 Horizonatal Innovation Award from the the Institute of Engineering and Technology.

“We’re on the cusp of a fourth agricultural revolution, taking farming into the digital age: and with British ideas and British technology at the helm,” said Ben Scott-Robinson, co-founder, Small Robot Company. “Our Tom, Dick and Harry robots will completely transform what’s possible on the farm. It will radically reduce chemical usage in arable farming, while improving soils, profits and yields. It’s the ultimate sustainable farming model.”

UNIVERSAL ROBOTS CONTINUES TO DOMINATE COBOT MARKET Confirmation that Universal Robots dominates the cobot market, if any were needed, comes from a new report entitled The Future of Collaborative Robots published by Interact Analysis.

What’s more, growth is forecast to accelerate due to the wider availability of collaborative robots from mainstream industrial robot vendors, the greater awareness at SMEs, and the wider adoption by major OEMs.

In 2017, UR cobots enjoyed a near 50% share of global revenues and no other manufacturer in the market had a share above 10%.

Which leads to the forecast that by 2027, revenues will reach $7.5bn and account for 29% of the industrial robot market.

The order of who came next in terms of market share was as follows: FANUC, Techman, Rethink Robotics, AUBO, ABB, Kawasaki, KUKA, Yaskawa, Precise Automation, Siasun and Staubli.

The diverse numbers industry and applications adopting collaborative robots is likely to continue, but, in a way that mirrors the evolution seen with industrial robots, with electronics and automotive being the two largest vertical applications.

The report also revealed that 30% of robots forecast to be sold in 2027 will be cobots and that the largest application for cobots over the next five years, some 75%, will be pick and place, material handling and assembly.

Generally, the report concluded that the cobot industry was worth less than $400m last year, but is set to grow to nearly $600m in 2018.

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In terms of payload, although 5kg has been the sweet spot for collaborative robots, several products have been launched above and below this weight category. A number of products are targeted at pick and place and assembly applications below 1kg, which are designed to efficiently undertake repetitive tasks.

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UK GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN TINY ROBOTS TO FIX UNDERGROUND PIPES our lives, these pipe-repairing robots herald the start of technology that could make that dream a reality in the future “From deploying robots in our pipe network so cutting down traffic delays, to using robots in workplaces to keep people safer, this new technology could change the world we live in for the better. Experts in our top UK universities across the country are well-equipped to develop this innovative new technology.

The Government has backed a project to develop tiny robots that can help repair the UK’s vast underground pipe network and prevent disruption of roadworks in the future.

The £7m investment will allow scientists from four British universities to develop 1 cm-long robotic devices that use sensors and navigation systems to find and mend cracks in pipes. The traffic closures and disruption to businesses of these roadworks is estimated to amount to more than £5bn.

It’s part of a bigger project to build micro robots that can help repair the UK’s vast underground pipe network preventing disruptive roadworks and using robotics in hazardous work environments to avoid workplace injury.

The robots – including flying and underwater versions – will also inspect and maintain oil and gas pressure vessels and offshore wind turbines.

The project is backed by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy; Health and Safety Executive; Innovate UK; and, UK Research and Innovation.

The funding comes from the government’s modern Industrial Strategy to invest in the industries of tomorrow.

A further 14 projects backed by £19.6m government investment, through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF), will see robots sent to hazardous work places such as offshore wind-farms and nuclear decommissioning facilities. Researchers will test new technologies, such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) software on satellites in orbit to detect when repairs are needed, and drones for oil pipeline monitoring.

Science Minister Chris Skidmore said: “While for now we can only dream of a world without roadworks disrupting

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“We have put research and development at the heart of our modern Industrial Strategy, with the biggest boost to funding in UK history to create high skill jobs and boost productivity across the country.”

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Chief Executive, Professor Sir Mark Walport said: “The projects announced today demonstrate how robots and artificial intelligence will revolutionise the way we carry out complex and dangerous tasks, from maintaining offshore wind farms to decommissioning nuclear power facilities.

“They also illustrate the leading role that the UK’s innovators are playing in developing these new technologies which will improve safety and boost productivity and efficiency.

The £26.6m government funding boost is part of the modern Industrial Strategy, investing in the technologies of tomorrow and creating high skilled jobs across the country. The UK already develops world-leading robotics technologies, and these projects delivered by UKRI will help make this a sector for UK businesses to grow and dominate international markets.

Health and Safety Executive Chair Martin Temple said: “The key purpose of the Health and Safety Executive is to save lives and prevent workplace injury and ill health. To achieve this, we need businesses to work with us and to be innovative in their thinking around managing risk in the workplace. New and emerging technologies are shaping our working environment.

“As a regulator we want to encourage industry to think about how technologies such as robotics and AI can be used to manage risk in the workplace, safeguarding workers both now and in the future world of work.”

Picture shows Chris Skidmore MP meeting the team at Bristol University.

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MIR BOOSTS REVENUE a mass-customisation model, where they manufacture a higher number of customised products in smaller batches, requiring an agile production facility with flexible and easily adaptable logistics. Our user-friendly technology fits this model well.”

MiR is driving growth from new products and a new “robots as a service” offering to help more companies benefit from the technology.

Mobile Industrial Robots (Holbrook, New York), the market leader in autonomous mobile robots, grew revenue by 160% in 2018, matching its 2017 growth and meeting its forecast.

MiR, which did not disclose its profits, is now part of American company Teradyne, the leading supplier of automated test equipment.

MiR told RoboPro Magazine that its success was due, in large part, to it’s multinational customers, including the Toyota Motor Corporation, which are investing in fleets of mobile robots to optimise internal logistics and to gain competitive advantages in the production and supply chain.

Some 30% MiR’s 2018 sales come from the Americas (27% in the US and 3% in Latin America).

“Large multinational organisations, who are happy with the benefits they’ve received after trying one of our robots, are now investing in fleets spread across more of their plants, with some purchasing as many as 15 to 25 MiR robots at a time,” said Thomas Visti, CEO of MiR. “Our robots make it easy for these companies to follow the increasing shift to

In addition to increased sales of multiple robots to companies like Toyota, which already uses MiR robots to optimise logistics in plants in the US and Asia, the company’s growth in 2018 also came from the launch of the MiR500.

Around 40% of sales of the MiR500, which can pickup, transport, and deliver pallets, have come from US companies. The continuous growth worldwide means that MiR expects 2019 will bring even more new products, along with 100 new employees and new offices in the US, China, and Japan.

According to Visti, the company also expects to increase revenue as much, if not more, over the next year, while expanding the types of companies that can benefit from autonomous mobile robots.

He said: “In 2019, we’ll continue to focus on delivering solutions that companies are requesting. That means we’ll also support companies that are used to leasing equipment such as electric forklifts and AGVs by starting a new ‘mobile robots as a service program’ via our external partners.

Now we can lower the initial investment required to make it easier and more attractive for these companies to get started with our collaborative autonomous mobile robots.”

SMALL ROBOT COMPANY BEATS FUNDING TARGET ON CROWDCUBE The Small Robot Company is raising money via the Crowdcube platform and is already, with 24 days left, over subscribed at 137%. The target funding was set at £500,000, but they have already raised £685,530 from 420 investors.

The equity on offer is 14.63% and the pre-money valuation is £4m.

The company is seeking to transform farming with robots & artificial intelligence. Their three small robots (Tom, Dick, and Harry) are being developed to reduce farming’s impact on the environment and increase farm outputs globally.

Over 20 farms have signed up, including Waitrose and the National Trust.

The company recently won £565,000 from Innovate UK

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funding, one of the largest awards given in 2018, and has received £90k in pre-sales on our services. The precision farming market set to be worth $5bn by 2020.

The company is developing the concept of Farming as a Service. This is a farming system which will use lightweight robots and AI to create a truly Digital Farm.

The robots are Tom, Dick and Harry. Tom collects data autonomously. Dick will care for the crop, which we estimate could save up to 95% of chemicals. Harry will place seeds individually with minimal soil disturbance.

Wilma, the company’s operating system, gives them a digital view of the field. This enables the robots to only treat the individual plants that need it.

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PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FANUC EUROPE UPDATES ON ROBOT MARKET PROSPECTS employs more than 7,000 people. In Europe, FANUC has 22 entities with around 1,400 employees.

“In the past couple of years the Industrial Robot market in Europe has been growing at a very high speed. It is only natural that we might now see a short term consolidation in some regions.”

He pointed out that the main drivers of automation are intact: a lack of skilled workers, an increase of labour costs and the development of ever more capable industrial robots.

Whilst fears of recession worries Europe and the wider markets, the overall picture for the industrial robot market “stays bright.”

So said Shinichi Tanzawa (above), President and CEO of the FANUC Europe Corporation.

“In the first half of our current fiscal year our order volume in all Europe rose by a double digit percentage number and we expect the expansion to continue although it might slow down a bit.”

FANUC has installed more than 550,000 robots, four million CNC controllers and 19 million servo motors worldwide.

The company has 263 locations serving 108 countries and

As for the cobot trend. “We increasingly see more demand coming from small and mid-size companies, even from companies who have not been using robots in their production in the past. The interest in collaborative robots is strong all over Europe.”

FANUC believes it has the widest and most reliable range of collaborative robot models on offer, ranging from the small CR-4iA that can handle loads of up to 4kg, up to the CR-35iA that can lift loads of up to 35 kg and assist workers in heavy lifting tasks without the need of special safety equipment like protective fences.”

As for the skills shortage. “In most European countries that we cover we see a lack of robot programmers and engineers. That is hampering companies from automating their production sites at the pace they would like to.”

ROBOTIQ RAISES $31M Cobot gripper company Robotiq has raised $31m in funding from global investment firm Battery Ventures.

It’s the company’s first ever round of institutional financing and the funds will be used for product development, international expansion and enhanced support of its partner ecosystem. Sources say a major expansion in Europe is on the cards.

Robotiq makes equipment including specially designed plug-and-play “grippers” that can handle manufacturing tasks previously done by human hands. The company was founded ten years ago and spun out of a project at Laval University in Canada.

“Collaborative robotics is transforming industries today, offering low-cost, easy-to-deploy solutions that stand in stark contrast to the more-complicated, legacy robotics systems of the past,” said Samuel Bouchard, Robotiq’s co-founder and CEO. “What is amazing about these

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systems is how they work side-by-side with humans to improve quality, increase efficiency and minimize worker injuries. We could not be more excited to work with Battery Ventures—a firm that has demonstrated a commitment to innovation in both industrial technology and software—to take our company to the next level.”

Battery General Partner Jesse Feldman, who specializes in industrial-technology investments, will join Robotiq’s board. He said: “We have been tracking Robotiq and its experienced team for several years and are extremely impressed with the business the founders have built.

“Robotiq’s next-generation products are improving efficiencies at companies all over the globe and, more broadly, provide a glimpse of how new, interconnected technologies including robots, sensors and software are driving a new kind of industrial revolution with huge ramifications for the global economy and workforce.”

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