n TECHNOLOGY May 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com 16 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC HAS partnered with the Reading-based robotic software specialist Extend Robotics to allow robots to be controlled remotely using o-the-shelf consumer virtual reality (VR) hardware, thus slashing set-up and training costs compared to bespoke systems. Extend’s Advanced Mechanics Assistance System (Amas) platform is now compatible with Mitsubishi’s Melfa industrial robots. Amas uses cloud-connected extended reality technology to allow non-robotic experts to operate robots safely and eectively from remote locations. The human-robot interface renders the workspace in 3D, providing authentic depth perception during teleoperation, while allowing fast gesture inputs to control robots with low latency, even when operating on low communications bandwidths. Mitsubishi and Extend say that their partnership will help manufacturers to upskill employees faster, while also enabling robots to perform non-uniform tasks in real time, even if the operators are in a dierent location. Extend Robotics believes the technology could solve several challenges associated with singlepurpose manufacturing set-ups, such as pick-and-place, machine-tending and general assembly tasks. These include: n remote error recovery, allowing operators to log in rapidly and use VR to pick up items that have been dropped; n rapid reprogramming using gestures to pick dierent items or to tend to new machines; and n allowing technicians to perform nonroutine tasks across several sites remotely. “While industrial robots have been used at manufacturing sites for decades, they have always relied on heavy operator involvement to complete nonuniform tasks or support error recovery,” explains Extend Robotics’ business development director, Azmat Hossain. “Through our Amas platform, we hope to help industrial robot users to unlock much greater functionality from their existing asset base. “For example, if a robot fails to complete its pre-programmed task, a remote operator can simply connect to the unit and restart the process, without the need for a physical on-site presence,” he adds. “As a result, one operator can conceivably oversee multiple lines or sites from a single location.” “Extend Robotics’ Amas platform is an incredibly exciting development which can help manufacturers not only to achieve more exibility and productivity from their industrial robots, but also enable operators to be trained and upskilled at a much faster pace,” says Barry Weller, Mitsubishi UK’s mechatronics product manager. “With the manufacturing skills crisis showing no sign of relenting, intuitive technology such as the Amas platform with have an important role to play going forward.” www.extendrobotics.com www.gb.mitsubishielectric.com/fa/pro ducts/rbt/robot AT THE RECENT HANNOVER MESSE, Siemens launched the rst new generation of its Simatic S7-1200 PLCs for ten years. The new models are designed to help bridge the worlds of OT (operational technology) and IT (information technology), with high communications performance and ecient data-processing, thus boosting output. By connecting the controllers to IT systems, it is also possible to perform advanced data analysis in the cloud, for example. The new S7-1200 G2 PLCs will allow machine-builders to control multiple coordinated axes and simple kinematics. They are said to oer improved processing power, larger memories and dedicated communications, as well as Near Field Communications (NFC) to provide access to diagnostic, operational, and device data via an app. Plain-text diagnostic information about the PLC will cut downtime and give users quick access to data. The new controllers – which will be available from the winter of 2024 – are part of Siemens’ Xcelerator platform, allowing users to benet from TIA Portal’s standardised approach to engineering. They will support ecient motion control and exible machine safety, along with other smart functions. Siemens says it oers full scalability across its Simatic controllers, ensuring the right controller is available for each application. www.siemens.com/s7-1200 Siemens unveils rst new generation of its S7-1200 PLCs in ten years Low-cost VR technology allows robots to be controlled remotely Extend Robotics’VR technology allows operators to control robots remotely The new generation of Siemens’ S7-1200 G2 PLCs bridges the worlds of OT and IT
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