Alongside serial production, there is a trend in the industry towards the customization of products. A key role when it comes to production in batch size 1, besides the digital networking of entire installations, is also played by systems capable of learning using artificial intelligence and robots that work hand in hand with humans. In the BionicWorkplace, all these requirements are combined in a future-oriented working environment.
A central part of the working environment is the BionicCobot. The pneumatic lightweight robot is based on the human arm in terms of its anatomical construction and—like its biological model—olves many tasks with the help of its flexible and sensitive movements. Due to its flexibility and intuitive operability, the BionicCobot can interact directly and safely with people. In doing so, it supports workers doing monotonous jobs and takes over tasks that are dangerous for humans.
In the BionicWorkplace, the bionic robot arm works together with numerous assistance systems and peripheral devices, which are networked and communicate with each other. At the same time, artificial intelligence and machine learning methods turn the BionicWorkplace into a learning and anticipative system that continuously optimizes itself.
The whole workplace is ergonomically designed and can be adapted to people individually down to the lighting. At the center of the worker’s field of vision is a large projection screen. It supplies the worker with all the relevant information and reacts dynamically with its contents to the relevant requirements. All around the projection screen, various sensors and camera systems are fitted, which constantly record the positions of the worker, components, and tools. In this way, a human can directly interact with the BionicCobot and control it using movement, touch or speech.
The system recognizes the worker and their movements by their special work clothing. These wearables consist of a long-sleeved top, which is equipped with inertia sensors, and a work glove with integrated infrared markers. With the help of the recorded sensor data, the BionicCobot is able to hand over objects to its human colleague with pinpoint accuracy and move out of their way if necessary—an essential requirement for direct collaboration between humans and robots.
The intelligent software simultaneously processes all the camera images, positional data, and inputs from the various peripheral devices. It uses all this information to derive the optimal program sequence. The system then divides the tasks expediently to the robot and other tools in order to give the human the best support whilst working.
With every action solved, the system learns something new. This creates a so-called semantic map that grows continuously. Along the network paths, the stored algorithms constantly draw dynamic conclusions. As a result, a controlled, programmed and set sequence gradually turns into a much freer method of working.
Another element of the intuitive operating concept is remote manipulation. For this purpose, a 3D stereo camera with a viewing angle of 180-deg. records the whole working space. At the same time, the worker, who is spatially separated, wears virtual-reality goggles besides the textile wearables. The worker can use these to access the images from the camera in real-time and follow them. In this way, the robot can be controlled in case of spatial separation or from a safe distance.
