The growing importance of software-driven automation and applied artificial intelligence, combined with automation needs in different markets and applications, is leading to the creation of advanced robotic ecosystems. More and more industries are seeking to automate complex and highly variable processes but often face a shortage of skilled workers and a growing automation skills gap.
These are the topics addressed during IFIT 2024, the Fifth International Conference of IFToMM Italy that aims to promote the development of Mechanical Sciences by bringing together researchers and industry figures. The conference, hosted from 11 to 13 September by the Politecnico di Torino, saw Comau as the main sponsor of the event.
As a testament to Comau’s ongoing commitment to research and development of new technologies, Alessandro Piscionieri, Comau’s Head of Products & Solutions Management, was invited to speak during the Opening Plenary, with a paper entitled Breaking Barriers: The Rise of a New Generation of Advanced Robotic, and in the following days Fabio Abbà, Robotics Software Architect, participated with a paper entitled Opening an industrial robot controller: advanced commercial robotics applications, rapid prototyping and fast research to industry technology transfer .
Piscioneri’s talk explores disruptive innovation in the field of advanced robotics by presenting concrete solutions to complex automation challenges that until now were not feasible with traditional technologies. Piscioneri also shows the trends that are leading to the evolution of the traditional manufacturing paradigm, characterised by High Volume-Low Mix production, toward a highly dynamic environment with great potential for customization through the development of unstructured systems.
On this theme, special attention was given to the agreement signed with Fincantieri in 2021 for the development of a long-term project to create mobile robotic solutions specifically for unstructured environments. As part of this project, the first solution was presented in 2023: MR4Weld (Mobile Robot for Weld), a mobile robot for welding in open environments, such as shipyards.
Abbà’s talk, however, illustrates how Comau’s new Open Controller quickly enables advanced applications with our industrial robots, using environmental sensors, artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms. Emphasizing how it can also shorten the time of technology transfer between research centers or universities and companies.
Concrete examples of the topics under discussion include collaborative robotics, mobile manipulators, software and artificial intelligence, among others. These technologies enable the use of robotics and automation in emerging markets, where automation is not yet widespread, in an effort to make robotics and automation more user-friendly.
The new automation model is characterised by a high level of flexibility, perfect for environments with low or no automation and a high number of variables, such as logistics, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, shipbuilding, and renewable energy, just to name a few examples.
