#05 TheCobotReport

Modular Design. AI Integration. Market Growth...

AuthorAuthor

Kiel DiGiovanni & Hesan Nobakht
October 30, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 12 minutes

Hello automation-forward thinkers!

This week, we're diving headfirst into the latest robotic revolutions, from end-of-arm tooling making waves in automation to cobots redefining safety and productivity standards. We've got the hottest movers, the most buzz-worthy news, and a graduate spotlight that'll leave you excited about the future of human-robot collaboration.

Buckle up, because the automation highway has no speed limits!

In this week’s email…

  • Quick Hit: The $1.05 Billion Surge: End-Of-Arm Tooling's Incredible Growth Story!

  • Movers & Shakers: 

    • Stäubli TX2touch POWER Cobot: The Safest Cobot on the Block

    • Next-Level Weld Seam Inspection: Meet the Vitronic VIRO WSI

  • Graduate Corner: Foundation models assist in human-robot collaboration assembly

  • Upcoming Events: Key conferences and workshops to keep on your radar in the robotics and AI fields.

In the news…

QUICK HIT:

The $1.05 Billion Surge: End-Of-Arm Tooling's Incredible Growth Story!

Image courtesy of Technavio

The End-Of-Arm Tooling (EOAT) market is set to soar by $1.05 billion from 2024 to 2028, growing at 5.04% annually. EOAT, which includes everything from robotic grippers to welding torches, is becoming a must-have for industries embracing automation.

Key Drivers: AI & Modular Design

The buzz in EOAT is all about modular solutions and AI-driven tech. Modular designs allow for quick tool changes—think plug-and-play for robots. Add in AI, and you’ve got robotic systems that can adapt on the fly, boosting efficiency and cutting costs. Manufacturing giants like Stratasys are making waves with 3D-printed EOAT, enabling fast, customized, and lightweight tooling.

Who’s Leading the Charge?

From automotive to healthcare, industries are rushing to automate. Automotive giants need precision tools for assembly and welding. Semiconductor companies require delicate handling, while logistics and e-commerce sectors are turning to cobots These cobots, equipped with smarter EOAT, are becoming key players in warehouses and beyond.

Challenges: High Costs & Customization Needs

The downside? High upfront costs (around $85,000 per system) plus ongoing expenses make some businesses hesitant. Custom solutions also add complexity; while modular EOAT is great for flexibility, highly specific tasks still demand tailored designs.

Emerging Trends:

Electric grippers, AI-powered vision systems, and applications in new sectors like agriculture and medical fields are fueling the EOAT market’s future. Companies are focusing on adaptive, data-driven tools that can evolve with technology.

Investors take note: The EOAT market is a prime opportunity to get in on the automation revolution. As industries from manufacturing to e-commerce scramble to enhance efficiency and cut costs, demand for advanced, AI-powered EOAT will only increase. Companies leading in 3D printing, modular design, and AI integration—. Investing in EOAT suppliers or related tech companies could offer a solid return as they cater to both traditional industrial giants and new sectors like agriculture and healthcare. Keep an eye on firms that prioritize customization, modularity, and AI innovations, they’re likely to drive the next wave of growth in this rapidly expanding market.

MOVERS & SHAKERS:

1 . Stäubli TX2touch POWER Cobot: The Safest Cobot on the Block

Image courtesy of Stäubli

Stäubli is redefining human-robot collaboration with their TX2touch POWER series cobots. These cobots deliver maximum productivity while keeping safety levels sky-high. Built on the rock-solid TX2 industrial platform, the TX2touch cobots come packed with advanced tech, making them ideal for a range of manufacturing and industrial use cases.

The headline feature? "Safe touch" skin technology. This cobot stops the moment it feels contact—meaning no more worrying about accidental collisions or workplace injuries. It's got the highest safety certification out there (SIL3/PLe), making it one of the safest cobots on the market today. Plus, features like safe stop, safe zone, and safe limited speed ensure top-notch safety without sacrificing efficiency .

The TX2touch series has a model for every job. The TX2touch-60 has a 4.5 kg payload and a 670 mm reach. Need more muscle? The TX2touch-90L handles 12 kg and has a 1,200 mm reach, ideal for heavy component assembly or material handling. With Stäubli's patented JCS gearbox, these cobots offer exceptional precision, making them agile and reliable even at high speeds.

When it comes to connectivity, these cobots are smart factory-ready. They support major communication protocols, including real-time Ethernet, and come with an embedded web feature in the CS9 controller for easy monitoring and control.

Use Cases: Where the TX2touch POWER Shines

The TX2touch POWER cobots are a game-changer for industries needing reliable, safe human-robot interaction:

  • Automotive Assembly: Unlike other cobots, the TX2touch can work closely with humans without additional guarding, thanks to advanced safety features. This means it fits into tight assembly stations where traditional robots would need more space.

  • Electronics Manufacturing: Got tiny parts that need handling? The TX2touch delivers unmatched dexterity and precision, perfect for placing electronic components on circuit boards. Competing cobots may struggle with the ±0.02 mm repeatability needed for such accuracy.

  • Packaging and Material Handling: The TX2touch-90L's extended reach makes it perfect for tasks like palletizing and depalletizing. Unlike many cobots that slow down for safety, the TX2touch keeps speed up while maintaining safety, making it ideal for fast-paced operations.

  • Food Industry: The TX2touch is compatible with NSF H1 food oil and integrates hygienic tools, making it ready for food handling. Many cobots aren't food-grade compatible as standard, but the TX2touch can jump into food production lines without extensive modifications.

Investors take note: Stäubli's focus on safety and smart integration makes the TX2touch POWER series a prime player in the growing collaborative robotics market. With increasing demand for automation and workplace safety, this technology is poised to capture significant industrial interest.

2. Next-Level Weld Seam Inspection: Meet the Vitronic VIRO WSI

Image courtesy of Vitronic

Vitronic’s VIRO WSI uses laser triangulation tech to perform non-destructive testing (NDT) of weld seams. In simpler terms, it makes sure everything is welded perfectly, right in the production line. It spots the tiniest defects in real time, making it a must have for industries where safety isn’t optional, like automotive manufacturing.

Where Does VIRO WSI Fit In?

  • Axle Component Inspection: Axle beams and control arms are like the bones of a car. VIRO WSI inspects these parts right after welding, catching flaws before they cause trouble. It saves manufacturers money by avoiding recalls and keeping bad parts out of the supply chain—meaning safer cars and fewer headaches.

  • Car Body Manufacturing: VIRO WSI checks both visible and hidden welds in car bodies, ensuring only the best make it to the end. Early defect detection means fewer costly surprises and happier customers. No one wants a new car with hidden flaws!

  • Battery Module Production for EVs: In EV production, battery modules need to be perfect. VIRO WSI inspects laser welds on battery cells and modules, ensuring defect-free packs that are key for safety and longevity.

Quick Technical Specs

- Accuracy: Detects deviations as small as 0.1 mm
- Speed: Inline inspection at up to 10 m/min
- Weld Types: Laser, MIG/MAG, resistance spot welds
- Optimizing with Weldloop: Vitronic also offers Weldloop software, linking inspection data with welding process data for real-time analysis and tweaks.

Investors take note: With the growing demand for electric vehicles and heightened focus on safety and quality, technologies like VIRO WSI are in the spotlight. Automated inspection systems are becoming integral to ensuring product reliability and reducing costly recalls. For investors, this represents an opportunity to get in on a sector that’s revolutionizing manufacturing and driving the future of the automotive industry.

GRADUATE CORNER:

Foundation models assist in human - robot collaboration assembly

Yuchen Ji, Zequn Zhang, Dunbing Tang, Yi Zheng, Changchun Liu, Zhen Zhao & Xinghui Li
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering,
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics,
Scientific Reports, Nature, volume 14, Article number: 24828 (2024)

  • Foundation Models (FMs), including Large Language Models (LLMs) and Vision Foundation Models (VFMs), significantly improve cobot flexibility by enabling scene perception and task reasoning without retraining.

  • The new HRC system leverages FMs to create adaptable, human-centric cobots that efficiently handle complex manufacturing tasks.

Smarter Cobots for Flexible Manufacturing

Cobots are becoming more flexible and capable, thanks to recent advancements in foundation models (FMs). These models, which include Large Language Models (LLMs) and Vision Foundation Models (VFMs), are transforming how cobots perceive and interact with their environment, making them better suited for complex manufacturing settings.

Traditional cobots often struggle with new tasks and require retraining to adapt to different scenarios. This new approach uses LLMs as the cobot's "brain" to understand and reason about tasks, while VFMs serve as the "eyes" to perceive scenes without extensive retraining. This combination allows cobots to effectively respond to human instructions and adapt to changing environments.

An experiment involving satellite component assembly showcased how cobots using FMs could seamlessly adapt to new tasks based on human commands. By integrating FMs, these cobots provide a more natural and efficient collaboration experience, offering flexibility crucial for customized and small-batch manufacturing.

This research represents an exciting development towards making cobots more adaptive and user-friendly, ultimately creating safer and more efficient human-robot work spaces.

Investors take note: The integration of foundation models into cobots signals a major leap forward in manufacturing efficiency and adaptability. As demand for flexible and customized production grows, companies investing in this technology stand to gain a significant competitive advantage in the evolving industrial landscape.

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