In the ever-evolving world of manufacturing, new technologies are constantly emerging to improve efficiency and productivity. One such technology that has gained significant traction in recent years is collaborative robotics, often referred to as “cobots”. Cobots are designed to work alongside humans, assisting them in various tasks and revolutionizing the manufacturing industry. Unlike traditional industrial robots, which are typically designed to work in isolation, cobots are built with advanced sensors and programming that allow them to interact and collaborate with human workers.

The challenges in traditional manufacturing processes

Traditional manufacturing processes often face a myriad of challenges that can hinder productivity and efficiency. One of the major challenges is the need for repetitive and mundane tasks that are not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. These tasks, when performed by human workers, can lead to fatigue and decreased motivation, which in turn affects the overall quality of the products. Additionally, traditional industrial robots, while efficient in certain tasks, lack the ability to adapt to dynamic environments and work alongside humans seamlessly.

How cobots are revolutionizing the manufacturing industry

Cobots are transforming the manufacturing industry by addressing the challenges faced in traditional manufacturing processes. With their ability to work collaboratively with human workers, cobots are streamlining production lines, improving efficiency, and reducing errors. These robots can take on repetitive and mundane tasks, allowing human workers to focus on more complex and value-added activities. Cobots can also be easily programmed and reprogrammed to adapt to changing production needs, making them highly flexible and versatile.

Another key advantage of cobots is their ability to enhance the safety of manufacturing operations. The advanced sensors and safety features in cobots enable them to detect the presence of humans and adjust their movements accordingly, minimizing the risk of accidents and injuries. This collaborative nature of cobots ensures a harmonious working environment where humans and robots can work side by side without compromising safety.

Benefits of using cobots in manufacturing

The adoption of cobots in manufacturing comes with a multitude of benefits. Firstly, cobots significantly increase productivity by reducing cycle times and optimizing resource utilization. With their ability to work 24/7, cobots can operate continuously without the need for breaks or rest, leading to higher production output. Moreover, cobots can perform tasks with precision and consistency, resulting in improved product quality and reduced waste.

Cobots also offer cost savings for manufacturers. Compared to traditional industrial robots, cobots are more affordable, making them accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises. Additionally, cobots require minimal infrastructure and can be easily integrated into existing production systems, eliminating the need for major facility modifications. With their user-friendly interfaces and intuitive programming, cobots can be operated and maintained by existing staff, reducing the need for specialized training and additional workforce.

Implementing cobots in your manufacturing facility

Integrating cobots into your manufacturing facility requires careful planning and consideration. Firstly, it is essential to identify the tasks that can be automated and benefit from cobot collaboration. Conduct a thorough analysis of your production processes to determine which tasks are repetitive, time-consuming, and prone to human error. Once identified, these tasks can be assigned to cobots, freeing up human workers for more complex and critical activities.

When implementing cobots, it is important to provide proper training to your workforce. While cobots are designed to be user-friendly, training your employees on how to interact and collaborate with cobots will ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of cobot integration. Additionally, it is crucial to establish clear safety protocols and guidelines to ensure the well-being of your employees. Regular maintenance and inspection of cobots should also be conducted to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Training and safety considerations for working with cobots

Working with cobots requires a shift in mindset and approach. Employees need to understand the capabilities and limitations of cobots to effectively collaborate with them. Providing comprehensive training on cobot operation, programming, and troubleshooting will empower your workforce to work alongside cobots seamlessly. It is also important to establish open lines of communication between human workers and cobots, fostering a sense of trust and collaboration.

Safety considerations are paramount when working with cobots. Conduct a thorough risk assessment of your manufacturing processes to identify potential hazards and implement necessary safety measures. This may include installing safety barriers, implementing emergency stop systems, and providing personal protective equipment. Regular safety training sessions should be conducted to ensure that employees are aware of the safety protocols and guidelines when working with cobots.

Future trends and advancements in collaborative robotics

As technology continues to advance, the future of collaborative robotics holds immense potential. The ongoing development of artificial intelligence and machine learning is expected to enhance the capabilities of cobots, enabling them to learn and adapt to new tasks more efficiently. This will further improve productivity and flexibility in manufacturing processes.

Another future trend in collaborative robotics is the integration of cobots with other emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing. This integration will enable real-time data exchange and remote monitoring of cobots, allowing for predictive maintenance and optimization of production processes. Cobots will become an integral part of smart factories, contributing to the overall digital transformation of the manufacturing industry.

Conclusion: The Future of Manufacturing with Cobots

Cobots are revolutionizing the manufacturing industry by addressing the challenges faced in traditional manufacturing processes. Their ability to collaborate with human workers, improve efficiency, enhance safety, and reduce costs make them invaluable assets in modern manufacturing facilities. By integrating cobots into production lines and providing the necessary training and safety considerations, manufacturers can unlock the full potential of cobots and pave the way for a more productive and sustainable future of manufacturing.

Embrace the power of cobots and transform your manufacturing processes. Contact us today to learn more about how cobots can revolutionize your production lines.

At SmartThings, our mission is to enhance smart home experiences for users around the globe. Recently, we’ve zeroed in on smart door locks, developing innovative solutions that offer users simplicity and security for what matters most.

Did you know the smart door lock industry is a booming $2.9 billion market, growing at 19.2% per year? With over 500,000 door locks already connected to SmartThings, including from partners like Yale, Schlage, U-tec, Aqara, and Nuki, we’re committed to expanding this growth by providing enhanced tools and resources for our partners to better serve you.

Read on to learn what’s new.  

SmartThings supports  Matter and Aliro standards for door locks

SmartThings is an active supporter of the Matter standard, and has been certified for the door lock specifications from Matter 1.2 up to the latest version 1.3—with plans for future certification of version 1.4 when it releases. 

Nuki, one of our door lock partners, shares more on SmartThings and the Matter standard: 

“Nuki was among the pioneers in launching a Smart Lock with Matter-over-Thread fully integrated into the product… We recognized the importance of adding SmartThings to our portfolio. The Matter integration with WWST proved to be the perfect opportunity to enhance our offerings.” –Nuki

We are also adopting the Aliro standard for Samsung Wallet’s Digital Home Key—coming in 2025. This means you can use your smartphone or smartwatch to effortlessly access your home, office, or any location with compatible locks.

Guided by global technology standards, we enable quick integration of devices with our door lock partners, ensuring users get the best experience possible.

SmartThings supports Integration for Any Type of Door Lock 

We’re continuing to enhance our platform to support multiple connection types including:

• Matter connected devices
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
• Cloud-connected locks

For our door lock partners, our SmartThings Developer Center offers a Device SDK, Test Suite, and Specification Document to simplify the integration process. Nuki shares how easy it was to integrate with SmartThings and the additional markets it opens up for customers to buy their products. 

We were genuinely impressed with how seamlessly we obtained the Works with SmartThings (WWST) certification. The support from our Samsung partner was outstanding, making the entire process incredibly smooth. This certification not only boosts our credibility within the smart home ecosystem but also positions us strongly as we expand into new markets like the USA.” – Nuki 

Additionally, you can easily find and purchase compatible products through the SmartThings platform, making the smart home journey even smoother. Our supported devices list provides users with the most up-to-date Works with SmartThings (WWST) certified products.

SmartThings Prioritizes Security 

User safety and privacy are our top priorities. Ensuring user safety, the Digital Home Key operates based on embedded Secure Element (eSE) to keep sensitive user data secure. Plus users’ digital PIN is neither stored nor managed on the SmartThings platform. To prevent security threats, we have collaborated with our partners to enhance the security features of door locks. 

SmartThings Calm Onboarding with Door Locks 

SmartThings aims to provide a seamless user experience from start to finish by automatically enabling a door lock’s key features. With the SmartThings Calm Onboarding experience, the Digital Home Key is activated automatically during setup, so users can begin using it without extra configuration. 

Smart door locks bring unparalleled convenience and peace of mind to users. Beyond traditional PIN codes, you can unlock doors using fingerprint recognition, or easily enter via smartphone or smartwatch. If you own a Galaxy device with Ultra-Wide Band(UWB) technology, the door will open automatically as you approach.

During the onboarding process, a default notification is enabled to inform you who opened the door. This ensures you receive the most relevant alerts tailored to your needs while maintaining control over your smart home experience.

Personalize Your Smart Home with Routines

With SmartThings routines, you can create a tailored experience based on who arrives at your door. Imagine coming home to soft lighting and your favorite music playing, all triggered by your arrival. You can automate interactions between your smart door lock and any other compatible SmartThings devices.

Explore our smart door lock partners at Partners.SmartThings.com and discover integration tools at Developer.SmartThings.com.

Third Wave Automation, a provider of autonomous high-reach forklifts, has closed a $27 million Series C round led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s growth fund.

Return investors Innovation Endeavors, Norwest Venture Partners and Qualcomm Ventures joined the round, bringing total capital raised to $97 million.

The funding will enable Third Wave to scale its “Shared Autonomy Platform”, expand manufacturing of its multimode TWA Reach forklifts, and support future technology development that advances the use of autonomous forklifts in and around warehouse environments.

Prashant Bothra, principal at Woven Capital, who is joining the Third Wave board, says: “In an industry grappling with a severely constrained labor market and intensifying market competition, Third Wave Automation’s approach of blending AI-powered autonomy with human expertise is transforming warehouse operations.

“Third Wave’s solution provides reliable automation for vertical movement and placement of goods while optimizing labor efficiency, enhancing safety and enabling data-driven improvements.

“With access to Toyota’s unparalleled bench of industrial automation and mobility experts, we believe Third Wave is well positioned to chart the future of intelligent material handling, unlocking unprecedented value across global logistics networks.”

Arshan Poursohi, CEO of Third Wave Automation, says: “The partnership between Third Wave and Woven Capital creates a strong foundation to advance our company’s strategic vision, reshaping how warehouse operators perceive autonomous forklifts and the value they deliver.

“Collaborating with Toyota will play a vital role in expanding access to our AI-powered solutions and industry-leading autonomous forklifts.

“Together, we will empower more US warehouse operators to boost productivity, enhance operational flexibility, address labor challenges and improve safety – all while delivering a fast, impressive ROI.”

Third Wave Automation pioneered materials handling automation with its Shared Autonomy Platform, enabling the TWA Reach line of forklifts to operate autonomously or seek help from remote operators who can take control from the safety of their office.

The platform uses machine learning to ensure forklifts continue to adapt and improve over time.

The TWA Reach forklifts operate in four modes: fully autonomous, remote assist, remote operation and traditional manual operation.

They are designed for high-reach applications, capable of horizontal and vertical movement of payloads, and used for end-to-end applications, from inbound, replenish and outbound tasks to all tasks in between.

The dynamic system includes “the industry’s most efficient mapping solution”, according to the company. Using automotive-grade 3D lidar, Third Wave Automation can see from the floor to the roof and across aisles, reducing the time it takes to map fixed environments from months to days.

The advanced camera warehouse perception system – including Collision Shield, the autonomous obstacle detection system running on forklifts – provides remote operators with insights into potential obstacles and how to navigate around them, as well as better views of target pick-and-place locations than manual operators.

The platform, along with its Armada Fleet Management System, enables a single operator to manage multiple forklifts.

Integrating with other warehouse management systems, the Armada FMS enables operators to execute and monitor workflows and dynamically configure warehouse zones to improve worker efficiency and safety.

Brien Downie, president of 3PL firm Holman Logistics, says: “The value of Third Wave Automation is genuinely transformative.

“Their autonomous forklifts will help us streamline our processes, enable our organization to fulfill customer orders more efficiently and maintain our competitive position in the logistics marketplace.

“Additionally, the autonomous Third Wave forklifts will play an important role in supporting our core value of ensuring that we always provide a safe environment for our team members.”

The field of mechatronics is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, occupying the intersection of mechanical systems, electronics, controls, and computer science. Mechatronics engineers work in a variety of industries — from space exploration to semiconductor manufacturing to product design — and specialize in the integrated design and development of intelligent systems. For students wanting to learn mechatronics, it might come as a surprise that one of the most powerful teaching tools available for the subject matter is simply a pen and a piece of paper.

“Students have to be able to work out things on a piece of paper, and make sketches, and write down key calculations in order to be creative,” says MIT professor of mechanical engineering David Trumper, who has been teaching class 2.737 (Mechatronics) since he joined the Institute faculty in the early 1990s. The subject is electrical and mechanical engineering combined, he says, but more than anything else, it’s design.

“If you just do electronics, but have no idea how to make the mechanical parts work, you can’t find really creative solutions. You have to see ways to solve problems across different domains,” says Trumper. “MIT students tend to have seen lots of math and lots of theory. The hands-on part is really critical to build that skill set; with hands-on experiences they’ll be more able to imagine how other things might work when they’re designing them.”

Play video

A lot like magic
Video: Department of Mechanical Engineering

Audrey Cui ’24, now a graduate student in electrical engineering and computer science, confirms that Trumper “really emphasizes being able to do back-of-the-napkin calculations.” This simplicity is by design, and the critical thinking it promotes is essential for budding designers.

“Sitting behind a computer terminal, you’re using some existing tool in the menu system and not thinking creatively,” says Trumper. “To see the trade-offs, and get the clutter out of your thinking, it helps to work with a really simple tool — a piece of paper and, hopefully, multicolored pens to code things — you can design so much more creatively than if you’re stuck behind a screen. The ability to sketch things is so important.”

Trumper studies precision mechatronics, broadly, with a particular interest in mechatronic systems for demanding resolutions. Examples include projects that employ magnetic levitation, linear motors for driving precision manufacturing for semiconductors, and spacecraft attitude control. His work also explores lathes, milling applications, and even bioengineering platforms.

Class 2.737, which is offered every two years, is lab-based. Sketches and concepts come to life in focused experiences designed to expose students to key principles in a hands-on way and are very much informed by what Trumper has found important in his research. The two-week-long lab explorations range from controlling a motor to evaluating electronic scales to vibration isolations systems built on a speaker. One year, students constructed a working atomic force microscope.

“The touch and sense of how things actually work is really important,” Trumper says. “As a designer, you have to be able to imagine. If you think of some new configuration of a motor, you need to imagine how it would work and see it working, so you can do design iterations in your imagined space — to make that real requires that you’ve had experience with the actual thing.”

He says his former late colleague, Woodie Flowers SM ’68, MEng ’71, PhD ’73, used to call it “running the movie.” Trumper explains, “once you have the image in your mind, you can more easily picture what’s going on with the problem — what’s getting hot, where’s the stress, what do I like and not like about this design. If you can do that with a piece of paper and your imagination, now you design new things pretty creatively.”

Flowers had been the Pappalardo Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at the time of his passing in October 2019. He is remembered for pioneering approaches to education, and was instrumental in shaping MIT’s hands-on approach to engineering design education.

Class 2.737 tends to attract students who like to design and build their own things. “I want people who are heading toward being hardware geeks,” says Trumper, laughing. “And I mean that lovingly.” He says his most important objective for this class is that students learn real tools that they will find useful years from now in their own engineering research or practice.

“Being able to see how multiple pieces fit in together and create one whole working system is just really empowering to me as an aspiring engineer,” says Cui.

For fellow 2.737 student Zach Francis, the course offered foundations for the future along with a meaningful tie to the past. “This class reminded me about what I enjoy about engineering. You look at it when you’re a young kid and you’re like ‘that looks like magic!’ and then as an adult you can now make that. It’s the closest thing I’ve been to a wizard, and I like that a lot.”