Industrial robots play a crucial role in manufacturing automation, managing many essential industry processes.

They continue to drive economic growth and productivity and create new career opportunities.

The industrial robotics market is booming, as more manufacturers embrace automation globally.

Last year, this market was worth more than US$41 billion across the globe. That figure is predicted to double to almost US$82 million by 2028. Asia Pacific is expected to take the lead in the global market, with automation now soaring across Japan, China and India.

In recent years we’ve seen significant advancements in robotics technology, including improved sensor technology and advanced mobility.

But where is this dynamic technology heading? What’s the next big thing?

Experts agree that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning will play a major role in robotics in coming years.

In the decade ahead, companies won’t be looking to just automate certain processes, they’ll want more “intelligent” automation.

A robot capable of carrying weight may no longer be enough. There is now a clear trend towards mobile, autonomous robots capable of intelligently collecting, processing and managing data, and making the best decisions to enhance production. Hence the increased use of artificial intelligence in robotics.

Making efficient and flexible decisions in real time

With remarkable advances in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, robots will keep evolving from mere “programmed” machines to collaborators with cognitive functions.

Artificial intelligence offers a new way for robots to execute commands or tasks given to them. AI helps them to perform crucial tasks with a human-like vision to detect or recognise various objects.

With AI, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can make efficient and flexible decisions in real time. 

Expect to see more sophisticated robots in smart factories working closely with humans in coming years.

How is AI used in robotics?

AI is probably the most exciting field in robotics.

There are various functions integrated into robots like computer vision, motion control, grasping of objects, and training data to understand physical and logistical data patterns and act accordingly. Special machine learning algorithms help robots understand these different scenarios.

Application of sensors in robotics

And with advanced sensors, robots can sense their surroundings or perceive the visuals of the environment.

Just like five key sensors of human beings, combinations of various sensing technologies are used in the robotics.

From motion sensors to computer vision for object detection, there are multiple sensors to help make the AI possible in the latest robots.

Omron delivers a complete solution for automating labour-intensive part picking using 3D vision sensors. These can be integrated with our range of smart collaborative robots (cobots) to free people from monotonous and heavy physical work.

The rise of cobots

With advancements in AI, demand for intelligent cobots continues to soar.

Collaborative robots have countless benefits. They can help businesses reduce operational costs, improve safety, increase efficiency and boost productivity. Cobots can complete certain tasks faster and more accurately than humans – and they can work 24/7.

These smart machines will no doubt evolve more in terms of voice recognition, so we’ll be communicating with them through voice commands. 

Omron offers a range of versatile and adaptable collaborative robots with built-in intelligent vision systems for pattern recognition, object positioning and barcode identification.

The simplified programming for these robots requires no coding, giving users faster start-up times. 

These state-of-the-art machines are ideally suited to smart factory applications such as machine tending, loading and unloading, assembling, gluing, testing and soldering.

And of course, they can be seamlessly integrated with mobile robots and controller hardware.

What can AI do for you?

Artificial intelligence has advanced by leaps and bounds when applied to real-world industry.

Omron is harnessing its capabilities to prepare manufacturers for the future.

For example, Omron’s Sysmac AI Controller handles several key steps in the data-driven decision process for predictive maintenance – freeing up industrial professionals from tedious calculations, analyses and infrastructure upgrades.

This powerful solution can help manufacturers reduce the risk of bad parts or equipment damage by detecting issues early on and prompting immediate action to resolve them.

Customers will be able to take advantage of Omron’s advanced technology and its team of data scientists to facilitate predictive maintenance rather than figuring everything out on their own.

This AI functionality can identify abnormal machine behaviour without being explicitly programmed to do so. Leveraging the machine learning results during production is key to ensuring end user cost savings.

The Sysmac AI controller can do the following and more: 

• Collect raw high-fidelity data from machines with highest security
• Store data locally on the machine and create a correlation model
• Monitor machine features based on that model allowing immediate action

Omron’s unique approach to artificial intelligence-based control involves hardware, offline software and in-person service. No internet connectivity or IT infrastructure/service is required.

With our exclusive combination of robots, software and integrated control architecture you can address today's factory automation challenges.

Want to learn more about AI and robotics?

Contact our expert team now