Dec 9 2010
Scientists at the Berlin-based, Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology IPK, are researching on an industrial robot, which could offer better adaptability to mass production processes in industries. Dubbed ‘pi-4 workerbot’, this robot will serve as a multi-functional robot capable of performing a broad range of industrial operations.
Dr. Ing. Dragoljub Surdilovic, Head of the Research Group at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology IPK, has stated that size of the pi-4 robot is approximately the same as humans. Hence it can be easily deployed in any sort of production environment of industries.
pi4 Workerbo
The workerbot has been incorporated with three cameras. An innovative three dimensional camera included in its forehead helps in observing its surrounding locations and the other two cameras are utilized for assessment purposes. For instance, the robot detects if chromium layer has been faultlessly applied by investigating how light gets reflected from the substance. In addition, the robot can offer accurate inspection of constituents continuously all through the day.
The arms of the workerbot feature seven degrees of freedom, assuring effective handling of objects. The researchers have included rotary motion ability in the robot, which relates to a human wrist, and enables the robot to shift an object between both the hands. The robot also features finger-tip sensitivity. Surdilovic has mentioned that by setting the correct gripping strength, the robot can hold even an egg without breaking it.
The pi-4 robot can communicate with others by altering its facial expressions.Pi4-Robotics, the promoter of the workerbot, has mentioned that the robot can be reconfigured and new tasks can be easily assigned without programming the robot. It was reported that industries can avail the robot either on lease or rent.
Source: http://www.ipk.fraunhofer.de/en