Interesting insights from RB:
Message to: platinumplay, regarding the 7th Generation AI software:
"..If you were to consider an installation of typical Cincinatti-Milacron, GMF or ABB palletizing robots, the practical applications of a heuristic, voice recognition, neural network AI software become quickly and readily apparent.
These types of robots usually pick cartons or case off of a conveyor system, and stack them in tiers onto pallets, using a predetermined matrix placement logic that locks the load in place, layer by layer.
A robotics area or cell is a complicated place. There are usually "..no-go.." zones where mechanical/structural interferences exist, "..interference zones.." where only one robot may reach into at a time, "..safety zones.." where humans may need to reach into on occasion, and "..hazard/danger zones.." where are motion must cease (requiring a reset & re-start) if a human were to enter.
The original programming of such robots is usually done by a Robotics Engineer or Specialist, using a handheld, manual (push button) teach-pendant cabled to the robot's controller. This exercise is time consuming and expensive. A good robot-man usually receives $50+/hour (O/T after 40) and bills out at $100+/hour ($150+/hour O/T) due to the sporadic nature of the work.
Using the 7thG software, robot gripper-tool-mounted "vision" cameras, barcode readers, laser, optical and/or ultrasonic measurement sensors, compliant load-on-board sensors, and pneumatic and/or mechanical grippers, the robot could actually learn the layer-by-layer load patterns on their own. The cost savings should be obvious.
This would be easily accomplished by manually stacking the cartons/cases, tier-by-tier, and allowing the robot to "photograph" each unit position and the appearance of all the completed layers.
The 7thG software could also learn the shapes/codes of all the company's products (now and future) at a "detect" position (off line), and then "..build.." it's own tier-by-tier matrix to keep the related load stable prior to stretch-wrapping; which is usually the next step and/or work station in the process.
The "voice" smarts get really handy when you start setting permission levels for whom may do what to the robots. Operators are usually taught to start up the system, and clear jams or rebuild loads if the system experiences a "..crash..". Doing this verbally, as opposed to using the teach pendant would save tons of training time.
The next level of personnel involved are the plant technicians (mechanical and electrical) who need to replace broken parts, adjust and or replace sensors, etc. It would be quite handy for the 3rd shift plant electrician to be able to walk up and ask "Big Bird" (..most robots have names..) what was bugging him, be told that the #4 gripper photoeye failed to detect a carton, attend to the problem, and then step back and say "reset and proceed" - sending "BB" immediately back into action making money for the plant.
The next level up the plant tree are the engineers, who, using verbal identification and permissives, might like to play all sorts of games with loads and methods to improve efficiency.
One huge advantage is that persons who are NOT in the "voice" files, could not come and meddle/tinker/sabotage the system - as it would not respond to them. This can be a serious problem, when labor relations are in a bad state of affairs (pre-strike)or you are dealing with a "disgruntled employee" who want to get even, etc..
Plant managers love to see cases going out the back door into the waiting trucks, so "Big Bird" (and crew) are usually very popular fellows.
"Beer getters", and Rosie's (..a la the Jetson's..) will someday help the bottom line of Radio Shack, etc. But, industrial, material handling robots are where the real money is - in that field - for the foreseeable future.
The applications in GENERAL INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS and PROCESS SYSTEM CONTROLS is much more broad than robotics, and the money available to folks who can truly improve efficiency there is absolutely staggering..!! My guess is that the need is 95% vs 5%, compared to robotic applications.
When the 7thG action finally hits the streets in Motown, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Indianapolis and Cinci, etc., - there are going to be "..fast times at Ridgemont High.."!!
You will note that there are no pushbuttons at all in the TurboLift on the Voyager, nor is communication with the master computer done with a keyboard or a mouse. This "..verbal interface.." is the way it will eventually be in the industrial control room, and on the plant floor.
I'm in.
MCM
ps: "..Just can't get enough o' those Super Cheapie-Shares...", sez SugarBear..!!.." |
