BionicWorkplace

Year

2018

The idea

The BionicWorkplace shows what the learning workplace of the future could look like.

The objective

The BionicWorkplace focuses on learning and human-robot collaboration. The system is a further development of the BionicCobot – extended to include innovative peripheral devices and artificial intelligence.

Technical data

Infrared cameras: 4
PickIt 3D camera: 1
Orbbec Astra 3D cameras (object recognition): 2
Orbbec Astra 3D cameras (eye tracking): 1
LucidCam 180° 3D camera: 1
Path planning: Robot Operating System
Voice input software: IBM Watson
AI software: arago HIROTM
Control: Festo Motion Terminal VTEM

Teamwork

The human operator wears a top fitted with inertial and gyroscopic sensors and a work glove with integrated infrared markers; these enable the robot to detect the operator’s positions and move-ments. It can “hand over” objects to the human with pinpoint precision and can strategically avoid contact whenever necessary. A special camera with depth perception technology registers the human’s head movements and direction of gaze.

Operation

With the intelligent IBM Watson language software, the BionicWorkplace understands human language and can communicate naturally with its colleague. Its brain likewise comprises AI soft-ware: in real time, the learning system evaluates the voice input along with information from the assistance systems and peripheral devices. By this means, the tasks and production steps at hand can be efficiently distributed.

Flexibility

The ergonomic workstation, fitted out with innovative sensor and control technology, adapts to the human operator – it stands for maximum autonomy. Further manufacturing tools can be integrated thanks to intelligent software interfaces. The system is able to manufacture customised individual products either in direct cooperation with a human on location or by means of “teaching”, even across continents.

Material

BionicWorkplace