October 2019

n TECHNOLOGY MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC in Japan has developed a technology that uses AI (artificial intelligence) to analyse the actions of workers on production lines and uses the information to help improve their performance, thus boosting productivity. Despite the increasing use of automation in factories, manual operations are still a core element in many factories’ operations, so improving work procedures remains a key to raising productivity. At present, most manufacturers rely on supervisors monitoring line workers by observing them and detecting any errors that they make. But this is a time-consuming process and often cannot be carried out on a regular basis. In addition, workers often move too quickly for their actions to be observed reliably by human supervisors, making it difficult to obtain consistent and useful results.  Mitsubishi’s new technology, called Kotsumon, uses AI to extract data from videos of people at work on production lines, evaluating their activities and detecting any mistakes. The company says that manufacturers could use the results to improve productivity on their lines. The system is claimed to identify motions with a 90% accuracy, without needing to adopt measures such as attaching sensors to the workers. Mitsubishi says that an analysis that would take a human supervisor 30 days to observe and complete, can be achieved by the AI system in just three days. The company, which developed the technology in collaboration with Keio University, plans to evaluate the technique on its own production lines before releasing it commercially, during the fiscal year ending March 2021 “or thereafter”. AI analyses actions of production line workers to improve productivity Mitsubishi predicts that its AI-based technology for analysing worker performance will boost productivity and save time Phone 01480 408 500 – www.leuze.co.uk SMARTER PRODUCT USABILITY WE’VE DONE AWAY WITH ALIGNMENT! THE NEW PRK 18B The new, calibrated a beam optics of the PRK 18B retro-reflective photoelectric sensor save time and extensive mounting accessories. Dr. Marie-Theres Heine, Product Manager – Switching Sensors