A room in the Kilometro Rosso science park, in Bergamo, hosts young scientists who plan the future of the factory, the one capable of surviving pandemics, producing at undefined times and with operators who manage activities with high added value remotely. Here anthropomorphic robots and cobots made take shape tailor made, tailored to the needs of the companies that have chosen to participate in the Joiint Lab project.
The team of scientists
The team is led by Francesca Negrello, 33, with a degree in mechanical engineering and a doctorate in robotic bioengineering. The stanzone is actually a laboratory jewel born from the collaboration of the Italian Institute of Technology (Iit) and the research consortium for mechatronics Intellimech, Confindustia Bergamo, University of Bergamo and Kilometro Rosso. Nine local companies are also at the forefront: Abb, Brembro, Cosberg, Elettrocablaggi, Fassi, Giovenzana International, Sdf, Siad and Valtellina.
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“We spent long months talking with companies to understand their needs, showing them what robotics is able to offer, precisely because the spirit of Joiint Lab is to make technology transfer, create synergy between the research developed in Iit and the new industrial needs “.
Mechanical hands, viewers, sensors are placed next to the latest generation PCs, the work tool of researchers. Here collaborative robots, mobile bases, laser sensors, human-machine interfaces are created: now the team is working on an anthropomorphic prototype capable of performing precision tasks such as turning a key or opening a door, or taking a cable. Joiint Lab works on the laboratory prototype, which is tested on real scenarios, verifying its goodness directly with companies. The engineering and marketing phase is left to the companies.
Joiint Lab and the anthropomorphic robot
“In the near future we will see the development of increasingly advanced systems, capable of interacting with humans and sharing their spaces thanks to the combination of collaborative robotics with artificial intelligence algorithms,” continues Negrello. A robot that takes an object from a shelf in the warehouse and places it on a surface does not yet exist, as well as a machine that pierces laminates and is driven by a mobile phone. Even the robot avatar, an alias of the operator, is not yet used in industry. “We have integrated industrial arms on movable bases with a neck designed by us that is extremely similar to the human one. The anthropomorphic figure allows the pilot, when he moves his head, to have a very coherent feedback and this helps in the experience of immersion to reduce the so-called phenomena of motion sickness»Continues Negrello. And so the avatar, requested by many companies, could be able to assemble, turn valves or move in an environment designed for humans. Even if the best of itself, explains the scientist, it will give it in contexts that are naturally remote, data centers for example, or in those with a high level of danger such as offshoring platforms and, perhaps, at the bottom of the oceans. Whether solitary, collaborative or avatar, the robot is now integrated into factory life, but the fact remains that in this new leap, explains the manager, the goal remains that of «keeping the person at the center and enhancing their skills. The combination of machine and man enhances the best of both: the robot cannot replace but it can support and this is our goal. Accompany and integrate technology into what is the normal flow of work, preserving the competence of the operator who controls, monitors and possibly collaborates ».