Keywords
Citation
(2002), "ABB set to install all-seeing, all-thinking robots at major car manufacturer", Industrial Robot, Vol. 29 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2002.04929fab.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2002, MCB UP Limited
ABB set to install all-seeing, all-thinking robots at major car manufacturer
ABB set to install all-seeing, all-thinking robots at major car manufacturer
Robots to detect movement of autoparts on production line
Keywords: ABB, Robots, Automotive, Machine vision
ABB, the global power and automation technology group, announced today its partnership with Vancouver-based software firm, Braintech Inc., to install “thinking” robots at a major car manufacturer.
The order, for 20 robots at a “Big three” automaker in Canada, is set to make history as the first robots of their kind to have “eyes” and “brains” allowing them to complete tasks faster and more accurately than any autoworker.
Vince Taylor, Braintech’s Vice President, comments: “Until now the evolution has been: people manufactured cars, then robots manufactured cars, and now, for the first time, robots can see and are involved in manufacturing cars.”
The ABB robots, installed with Braintech software, will be able to spot autoparts in 3-D using only one camera, which is a first for manufacturing. For example, consider a pen lying on a desk, if it moves your eyes will tell you to adjust your coordinates before picking the pen up again – the ABB industrial robot, with Braintech software, will do exactly the same thing.
David Marshall, Marketing Manager for ABB’s Industries Division says that the order is likely to set a precedent for the future of automotive manufacturing: “In automotive manufacturing, precision is key to running a smooth and cost-effective production line and all manufacturers are looking at ways to reduce human error and costly mistakes. The Braintech software can compare a picture image with a “perfect” scenario in about 500 ms. Teamed with the inherent accuracy of ABB robots this automotive manufacturer has an extremely powerful and intelligent addition to its workforce.”
Installation of the robots will take place in Summer 2002.
For more information, please contact: David Marshall, ABB, Auriga House, Precedent Drive, Rooksley, Milton Keynes MK13 8PQ, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1908 350300; Fax: +44 (0) 1908 350301; E-mail: david.marshall@gb.abb.com