Executive Q&A Q&A with...
Vivek Jaykrishnan Senior Director of Technology, Digital Engineering and Manufacturing Services, Quality Engineering, Capgemini, ...
...about next-generation testing with collaborative robots
Q A
Is using robotics in testing a new concept? Robotics in device testing is an already tried and tested concept, especially in the manufacturing industry. However, it is certainly a growing trend, spurred on by the current COVID-19 crisis. In looking to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on global supply chains, companies have realised that they can embrace digital transformation and the Intelligent Industry – that is, the implementation of data-driven analytics along the entire industrial value chain. We know that the implementation of collaborative robots, or ‘cobots’, into device testing is key to enabling the Intelligent Industry; the adoption of next-generation technologies like robotics will improve the efficiency and reliability of both product and system testing and, so, is a valuable investment.
Q A
Are there any advantages to using cobots? There are four types of robots typically considered for commercial application – service, custom and industrial robots and cobots. The first two are highly specialised, focusing on assisting humans in routine tasks
08 November/December 2020
www.electronicsworld.com
Q A
within a defined scope of work, or designed for a dedicated activity. Industrial robots, on the other hand, are best suited for tasks beyond human capabilities, such as those that are highly demanding in terms of power or speed.
Cobots are set apart because they are light, small, mobile and energy-efficient, making them suitable for collaborative environments alongside human operators. Another advantage is their inherent safety features – limited speed and force, and safety limits. Other forms of robots come with a set of precautions and prerequisites, since they do not have the same limits on their power and speed, which means they can pose a safety threat to human operators working nearby. That’s why cobots are the ideal choice for lab setups.
Which industries are either using or looking at cobots in their testing process? Scientists from Fraunhofer IPA in Germany have developed a mobile cobot for Bosch, designed to test the endurance of home appliances like dishwashers, by repeatedly loading them until they wear out. This has the benefit of relieving employees of repetitive
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