ILEA000026158: Fujitsu units develop human-assisting robots

Foxter's Hybrid Image Processing System for AI Visual Inspection

Foxter Corporation (Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture) will release in May a hybrid image processing system that combines Preferred Networks' (PFN, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo) artificial intelligence (AI) visual inspection and conventional image processing methods.The company will market the system in Japan and China in cooperation with a subsidiary of the OPTEX Group, which is engaged in the manufacture of lighting for image processing, in terms of sales and service. The sales target is 200 units a year. Auto parts manufacturers and others have already begun to introduce the system on a trial basis. The device in the center of the photo is the AI Stellar Controller. (Photo taken on March 16, 2020, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Fujitsu Advanced Engineering's system for sorting bulk goods

FUJITSU ADVANCED ENGINEERING LIMITED (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) has developed a system that allows users to remotely control picking robots as if they were playing a game, and to sort bulk goods that are difficult to recognize automatically. The robot's field of vision is displayed on a tablet terminal, and when the user clicks on an item, the robot picks it up and picks it. The company aims to commercialize the system in fiscal 2021. The operator clicks on products on a tablet or other device according to instructions. Then, robots in distribution warehouses and factories aim at the click point and suck the suction cup. The system is expected to be used not only by telecommuters but also for light work during hospitalization and cognitive training for the elderly. Photo taken on February 20, 2020, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

People involved in the Tottori Robot Hub receive an explanation of the simulated production line.

The Tottori Prefectural Industrial Technology Center opened the Tottori Robot Hub," a base to support the introduction of robots to production sites, at the Machine and Materials Research Institute in Yonago City on April 24. Of the total area of 174 square meters, 134 square meters have been set aside for a simulated production line using five robots, articulated and SCARA robots. Fumihiro Yoshimura, Director of the Commerce, Industry, and Labor Bureau of Tottori Prefecture, said, "We want to make sure that Tottori Prefecture is known as a leading prefecture in robotics," while Satoru Fukuoka, President of the Tottori Industrial Technology Center, expressed his hope that the center would become a hub for information on how to make factories smarter. (December 24, 2019, Machine and Material Research Institute, Yonago City; Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

OMRON SOCIAL SOLUTIONS' Complex Service Robot

If a human pushes the robot by hand for the first time, it will memorize the map and route, and from the second time on, it will move autonomously. The system can be used efficiently in shopping and office buildings, for example, by setting the start time of work, cleaning early in the morning when there are fewer people, providing information during the day, and providing security at night. The robot is equipped with a laser sensor and an ultrasonic sensor, and can take evasive action when it detects a person in the passage. If a security guard sees a suspicious person while guarding a building, he or she can ask the person through the robot's speaker microphone, "Can I help you? through the robot's speaker microphone. (= December 20, 2019, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Dressing and undressing assistance robot at Kyushu Institute of Technology Graduate School

These cases are stored as a learning database. The robot will be able to respond to the differences between each person and each piece of clothing. The robot is a twin-armed robot with a payload of 2.3 kilograms, and it is a cooperative type, so there is no risk of injury to people even if it bumps into them while working. The placement of a camera that can respond to the sudden movement of a person is an issue, but Professor Shibata says, "In large facilities or places where the changing room can be fixed, such as hospitals, the camera can be installed on the ceiling. They aim to make improvements and put the system to practical use as soon as possible. (= December 20, 2019, location unknown, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

DENSO Corporation's D-Cell, a general-purpose rack for industrial robots

Denso has completed the D-Cell (photo), a general-purpose stand for industrial robots. The D-Cell has many holes for fixing robots and peripheral devices, wiring for communication, etc., and a built-in controller. With its unique high-rigidity frame, it can handle high-speed robot operations. With casters, it is easy to move and change robots, and can easily respond to changes in the production line. Two models are available, one with a width of 400 mm and the other with a width of 600 mm, and dust-proof, drip-proof, and dirt-proof types are also available. It can be equipped with standardized connection modules for various devices and equipment, handles for moving, and a breaker box. The company also plans to commercialize the "D-Vision" series, an inspection package that combines a robot and D-Cell with a high-performance camera equipped with artificial intelligence (AI). Photo taken on December 19, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Double Giken's wire-suspended robot hand system

Double Giken (Zama City, Kanagawa Prefecture) has developed a wire-suspended robot hand system called the Flying Carry System (photo). By stretching and loosening four wire cables stretched in the air, the system can move as if it were flying. The position of the winches is controlled by finely adjusting the winding of the winches. The robot hand is capable of handling a wide range of shapes and materials of objects with its original technology and can hold them firmly. The robot hand has a wide range of applications, and President Wada says, "We would like to collaborate with companies in different fields to build a suitable system. Since it can be powered via wires, it can operate longer than flying robots (drones). The payload is about 20 kilograms. (Photo taken on December 13, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images)

Demonstration experiment of walking guidance by a cane-type robot with wheels at Osaka City University

When the user walks holding the staff part, the robot automatically steers the wheels and guides the user to the destination. A feature of the robot is that it does not have an autonomous movement function, so that users can feel as if they are walking by themselves. This time, a function has been added that allows users to set their destinations by holding up their cards. However, as it was found to be difficult to use during the verification experiment, Mr. Imazu intends to improve this function, saying, "We would like to consider other methods, including voice recognition technology. A crowdfunding campaign is currently underway until the evening of the 26th in order to put the system into practical use as soon as possible. The target amount is set at 2 million yen. The funds raised will be used to develop charging facilities and waterproof exteriors. On December 12, 2019, at the Sugimoto Campus of Osaka City University in Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Uyenotecnica's visual inspection system for food products

Ueno Technica (Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture) has developed a device (photo) that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the visual inspection of food products. A horizontally articulated (SCARA) robot equipped with a camera can identify and remove defective products from randomly placed products. We plan to launch the product by next summer and propose its introduction to food manufacturers. The AI will store a large number of image data in advance and determine good and bad products based on wrinkles and burrs in the packaging material. It is expected to reduce the burden on workers by automating the judgment of defective food products, which relies on manual labor. It is expected to be useful in solving the labor shortage at production sites, and is being marketed to food manufacturers. Photo taken on November 28, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

A robotic hand developed by OMRON and the University of Tokyo that repeatedly performs precise insertion

Professor Masatoshi Ishikawa of the University of Tokyo and Omron have developed a robot hand that can perform precision work by groping at a speed of 1,000 times per second. When the ring hits the end of the cylinder and the angle shifts, the robot adjusts its three fingers to restore the shift. This is a high-speed reproduction of the way a human being searches for the right angle to fit a ring using the senses of his or her fingertips. In the past, even with the use of force sensors, it took time to process, and insertion and removal took 1-2 seconds. In the automation of precision assembly, it is difficult to keep the positional accuracy within 10 micrometers, including robots and jigs. If this can be handled by hand or control, the range of precision work will expand. Photo taken on November 27, 2019, credit: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun / Kyodo News Images

Fujitsu units develop human-assisting robots

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