Omron and Toshiba released one after another, why "group control software" will be important in the future Kazumichi Moriyama's "robot" basic course

Solving business issues by integrating IT and management

What is Business + IT?

Login

E-mail newsletter registration

What is Business + IT?

Sales Strategy

Cost reduction

Organizational reform

Production / manufacturing

crisis management

compliance

Energy saving and environmental friendliness

By industry / scale

Core system

Information system

Operation management

Security

network

mobile

hardware

development

Omron and Toshiba are released one after another, why "group control software" will be important in the future

Kazumichi Moriyama's "Robot" Basic Course

Technological development for controlling multiple robots is becoming a new competition. It is the control of swarm robots. By utilizing not only one robot but several to dozens of robots over a wide area, it will be possible to automate at different levels, creating unprecedented value. Applicable sites are expanding not only to factories and distribution warehouses, but also to the service field. As the use of robots progresses, cooperation between different manufacturers and models becomes more important. It may not be right now, but I would like to take a look at the control of swarm robots, which are more effective as the scale increases.

Science writer Kazumichi Moriyama

Science writer Kazumichi Moriyama

Freelance science writer. Born in 1970. Born in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture. He graduated from the Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Hiroshima University in 1993. In the same year, he joined NHK as a director. He is engaged in the production of educational programs, live entertainment programs, pop science programs, etc. He retired at the end of August 1997. He will be a freelance writer. Currently, he writes for all fields of science and technology. Especially in the fields of brain science, robotics, and interface design. He specializes in researcher interviews.

1. The time will come when different types of robots will move around
2. OMRON announces that integrated software will be available from September
3. Simulation enables start-up in half the conventional period
4. Toshiba avoids multiple robots by direct communication
5. The importance of group control software will surely increase in the future

The time will come when different types of robots will move around

The situation where various autonomous mobile robots move around in one place is gradually but surely coming. At present, even in factories and distribution warehouses, except for demonstration experiments, it is often the case that only the same robots of the same manufacturer are operated in one place. Logistics robots are the most obvious example. Even if the movements of each robot are simple, it can bring about a great effect by using a large number of robots in combination. The movements of multiple robots are managed by the host system. The host system grasps the position of each robot on the map, guides the route, and optimally controls it. However, while moving multiple robots in an optimally balanced manner, that is, minimizing the total number of movement paths within a limited range of movement (that is, moving at the shortest distance and fastest), avoidance behavior, sudden acceleration, sudden deceleration, etc. In order to realize a movement route plan that does not require a robot, maximize the throughput of the entire business in charge, and build an excellent algorithm that can extend the operating life of the robot itself, reliable technology and on-site know-how are required. I need it. Moreover, in reality, robots and humans coexist, so it is necessary to create movements that do not interfere with the movement and flow of humans. I believe that the essence of robot technology lies in resource allocation (optimization of resource allocation). The operation of multiple robots is exactly this problem. Because it is difficult, it is also a source of competitiveness. Logistics-related startups, which we have mentioned so far in this magazine, are competing to develop their own technologies to move robots efficiently. As mentioned earlier, not only desk calculations but also on-site know-how is very important, so there is a big difference between what is put into the field and what is not. Again, at present, we often use only robots from one manufacturer. However, the situation where only robots from the same manufacturer need to be used will not continue forever. In the future, if robot technology and its utilization progress, it is necessary to improve so-called "interoperability" by using multiple types of robots in the right places and linking them. Currently, the industry that uses robots is basically conservative, so it is not easy to proceed, but I think that robots will eventually develop in the direction of emphasizing mutual cooperation. ing. Otherwise, the market for robots themselves will not grow.

OMRON announces that integrated software will be available from September

First of all, the site may want to operate at least one robot from the same company with one common management software. In August 2021, OMRON released the fleet management software "Flow core 2.1", which enhances the effect of introducing mobile robots for transportation in factories, from September 1st. A "fleet" is a group of mobile robots. It's a word that is also used in autonomous driving, so I think many readers have heard of it. By using this software, it is possible to discover potential traffic jams in advance and change maps and routes in advance to improve efficiency at sites where up to 100 mobile robots are moved. OMRON is developing three types of transfer robots with different transfer weights. Omron has been working on mobile robots (also called mobile robots) for over 20 years. Currently, more than thousands of units are in operation in 40 countries around the world, and it is said that the total number of units in operation is the highest in the industry. The greatest strength of the company's robots is that they can flexibly pass each other and coexist with humans. For example, the strength of OMRON robots is that they can move freely as if they were humans, even if they set routes that overlap each other. For example, at the company's Kusatsu factory, robots carry more than 75% of the work. At the conventional site, a person puts a box on a dolly and carries it to the next process. Manpower is needed to carry things. Therefore, after the amount became a certain amount, people carried it to the next process at once. On the other hand, with the introduction of robots, it has become possible to carry workpieces more diligently. As is often said, the production site is now "ultra-high-mix low-volume production." Even if there is only one product in one box, it must be transported to the next process. This physical and mental burden is not stupid. It is a robot that meets such transportation needs, and management software for that purpose. It was said that OMRON is also planning to increase the number of units in operation at its own factory. [Next page] Simulation enables start-up in half the conventional period

Recommended articles

Robotics and Drone Genre Topics

To List

IT introduction support information for robotics and drone genres

To List

PR

SB Creative Co., Ltd.

Business + IT is operated by SB Creative Corp. of SoftBank Group.

By registering as a business + IT member, you can subscribe to member-only content and e-mail newsletters, and invite you to special seminars!