How can humans and robots work together?

MUMBAI, INDIA: KUKA, a manufacturer of industrial robots and automation solutions, is developing applications for its Intelligent Industrial Work Assistant (KUKA LBR iiwa), or the KUKA Robot, with the help of Microsoft Azure Internet of Things (IoT) services.

According to a statement, Microsoft is providing KUKA with cloud technologies and Azure Internet of Things services to create smart manufacturing solutions for the shop floor based on sensitive and safe robots.

Using precise movements and perceptive technology, this lightweight robot can sense its way around a complex task and perform precise automation movements securely. This special feature enables KUKA LBR iiwa for human-robot collaboration. The combination with Microsoft Azure IoT services, Kinect hardware, and the OPC-UA communication standard leads to one of the world's first showcases blending IT with robotic technologies into a smart manufacturing solution with new capabilities.

Microsoft showcased the robot at the Hannover Messe Fair where the KUKA LBR iiwa performed the action of threading a tube into a small hole in the back of a dishwasher. Through this demonstration, KUKA is highlighting how its LBR iiwa can increase its collaboration with humans to jointly perform the task as peers working together. Previously this task could not be completed by traditional robots because the robot could not sense its surroundings, and its automatic movements would often break the appliance.

Movement data from the robot is streamed to the Azure cloud where workers can monitor progress and receive status reports from the factory floor. Errors in the supply chain are addressed in real time through Windows tablets, making the automated process faster and easier. Another benefit of the Azure cloud is that it allows users to view and act on data through a management dashboard, providing business analytics and trend intelligence. If a certain piece of the dishwasher is breaking more frequently than other pieces, for example, advanced data stream analysis can help understand what may be causing the issue or use predictions to recommend pre-emptive repairs with machine learning technology.

"Robots serve as the link between IT and production, between humans and technology," said Christian Schlogel, CTO, KUKA. "The showcase we created together with Microsoft is one example of how this link can be used in the future and how our KUKA technologies are ready for Industry 4.0. It's exciting to be at the forefront of sensitive robotics and to create the technology to allow humans to interact directly, increasing efficiency and productivity."