Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI), robots are learning from their environments, making real-time decisions, and getting better at their jobs with every task they learn. Unlike their traditional automated predecessors that followed rigid programming, this new era of smart robotics is changing the manufacturing industry in ways that seemed like science fiction not long ago. These robots add the flexibility and intelligence needed to meet the demands of fast-paced production environments.
In this week’s New Tech Tuesdays, we see how automation is reaching new heights with robotic advancements powered by AI.
Traditional robots can handle repetitive tasks very well but often struggle in environments that require adapting on the fly. AI bridges this gap by allowing robots to interpret and respond to their surroundings. These smart machines are equipped with sophisticated algorithms that enable them to learn from data, recognize patterns, and autonomously adjust.
For example, an AI-powered robot can detect when a part is misaligned on a conveyor and change its movement to correct it, minimizing disruption and improving efficiency without human intervention (Figure 1).
Figure 1: AI-powered robotic arms enhance flexibility and efficiency in manufacturing environments. (Source: The Little Hut/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)
AI also enables these robots to perform complex tasks that typically require human oversight. With real-time data processing and predictive analytics, AI-driven robots can optimize workflows, make dynamic decisions, and anticipate potential issues before they arise.
These capabilities are helpful in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing setups, where traditional automation would struggle to keep up with assorted tasks and production shifts.
Manufacturers must respond to market changes quickly. This could mean accommodating a new product line or adjusting production volumes. AI-powered robotics can analyze data from multiple sensors and learn from past performance, then quickly adapt to new tasks or shifts in production requirements. This flexibility reduces downtime and allows manufacturers to pivot operations with minimal disruption, which adds cost-efficiency benefits to manufacturing processes.[1]
In settings like automotive assembly lines, AI-powered robots work with human operators on tasks that require precision and speed. This human-robot collaboration enables customized and efficient production processes to offer tailored products while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Balancing human creativity with robotic precision brings productivity benefits to the next wave of industrial automation.
As we move further into Industry 5.0, AI-powered robotics will continue improving, leading robots to faster work and a deeper understanding of human behavior and safety nuances. Robots will become even more autonomous with AI technologies like machine learning (ML) and computer vision, spurring the next round of automation possibilities.
These possibilities could include:
With these advancements, AI and robotics are poised to transform the industrial landscape by empowering manufacturers with tools to learn, adapt, and improve.
This week’s New Tech Tuesdays spotlights the MYIR MYD-LR3576 development boards. Offering Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) capabilities ideal for automation at the edge, these development boards are built on the MYC-LR3576 system-on-module (SOM), which combines four Arm Cortex-A72 cores and four Arm Cortex-A53 cores with a 6TOPS neural processing unit (NPU). The MYD-LR3576 board incorporates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, Raspberry Pi and MYIR headers, and two gigabit Ethernet ports to provide a variety of connectivity options (Figure 2).
Figure 2: MYIR MYD-LR3576 development boards offer a variety of connectivity options while delivering low-power, high-efficiency performance. (Source: Mouser Electronics)
AI-powered robots are reshaping manufacturing by becoming adaptable and learning collaborators that work safely alongside humans while fine-tuning tasks in real time. As Industry 5.0 continues to unfold, these smart robots are set to make factories more efficient, precise, and responsive than ever, opening up automation possibilities that will define manufacturing in the future.
Source
[1] https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/10/ai-transforming-factory-floor-artificial-intelligence/
Mouser Electronics, founded in 1964, is a globally authorized distributor of semiconductors and electronic components for over 1,200 industry-leading manufacturer brands. This year marks the company's 60th anniversary. We specialize in the rapid introduction of the newest products and technologies targeting the design engineer and buyer communities. Mouser has 28 offices located around the globe. We conduct business in 23 different languages and 34 currencies. Our global distribution center is equipped with state-of-the-art wireless warehouse management systems that enable us to process orders 24/7, and deliver nearly perfect pick-and-ship operations.