OMRON Corporation (HQ: Shimogyo-Ku, Kyoto. CEO: Yoshihito Yamada) announced that it will release two variations of the Mobile Robot LD Platform, developed for indoor use by its U.S. subsidiary Omron Adept Technologies (hereafter: OAT), simultaneously in 33 countries on January 20, 2017 as a step towards realizing harmony between humans and machines in the field of manufacturing.
The Mobile Robot LD is a carrier robot equipped with OAT’s proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which allows it to transport materials to a target location while calculating the optimal route and avoiding humans and obstacles. The robots are ideally suited for a wide range of indoor environments, including facilities manufacturing car parts, electronics, foods and pharmaceuticals, as well as warehouses and research facilities. The January release will include two variations; a customizable OEM type and an all-in-one cart transporter type with an attached cart. The OEM type allows the user to optimize the robot for the intended usage environment by attaching a custom cabinet or conveyor.
The Mobile Robot LD utilizes a built-in laser scanner to detect its environment, and automatically maps space available for movement with Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology. The robot compares the map and the laser scanner input to determine its position, and plots a route for transporting up to 130 kg of cargo while steering clear of obstacles and humans. If necessary, equipping an optional camera allows the robot to function smoothly also in warehouses and other environments where items and objects move around frequently.
The manufacturing industry faces a number of challenges, including decreasing working populations in Japan and other advanced nations, increasing labor costs in developing nations, and a reality where a minor mistake by a worker can have a major impact on productivity or product quality. Mobile Robot LD contributes towards the resolution of social issues such as productivity and product quality by liberating human workers from the simple, monotonous and exhausting labor of carrying items, giving them the freedom to engage in more creative work.
