At Pack Expo 2014 in Chicago, November 2-5, Yaskawa Motoman will demonstrate unstructured depalletizing using Universal Robotics’ flagship machine-learning software, Neocortex. Neocortex is an interactive 3D learning platform that uses sensor input to learn and react in real-time. When combined with Motoman robots, the applications expand the use of robots in logistics that were not practical or could not previously provide a suitable ROI. Applications now available for consideration include part induction, bin picking, kitting, and random and unstructured depalletizing.
Machine Learning & Logistics
The demonstration workcell highlights the benefits of using robotics in end-of-line palletizing operations, in addition to depalletizing operations for inbound logistics. The interactive, palletizing/depalletizing demo features a MPL80 robot with PalletSolver software and two MH50 robots guided by Neocortex Unlimited Depalletization application software in a dynamic and demanding environment. Users can create new pallet patterns from the cell HMI, as well as manually modify the pallet pattern at the depalletizing station simulating the on-demand environment of today’s packaging world.
“MotoSight 3D Spatial Vision, based on Universal’s Spatial Vision Robotics, provides real-time 3D vision data to Neocortex, enabling our robots flexibility beyond what traditional machine vision guidance can provide for unstructured depalletizing,” said Roger Christian, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, Yaskawa Motoman. “The realization of handling a wide range of packaged consumer good products in various conditions and locations with Spatial Vision is a significant breakthrough and is an essential element to unlocking the robotics market in logistics, which over time, could rival unit sales only seen today in the automotive market.”
According to David Peters, CEO of Universal Robotics, “Natural learning has a common pattern that’s demonstrated by all creatures. Neocortex mimics these learning patterns. We’ve dedicated the past four years to perfecting Neocortex in material handling applications and integrating it with 3D vision from Spatial Vision Robotics. We’re confident of quick adoption by customers in this market space.
For more information visit the websites for Yaskawa Motoman and Universal Robotics.