Collaboration between robots and humans is not limited to light cobot arms, thanks to new sensors and software. Veo Robotics Inc. will demonstrate its FreeMove 3D safeguarding system for industrial robots at Automate 2022 in Detroit next month.
“We’re thrilled the largest robotics and automation show in North America is back after a two-year absence and excited to demonstrate our latest innovations with 3D speed-and-separation monitoring for human-robot collaboration,” said Patrick Toner, director of product marketing at Veo Robotics. “As manufacturers have been challenged by the pandemic, supply chain constraints, and labor shortages over the last few years, they've only increased the number and use of industrial robots within their facilities.”
“FreeMove is the only product currently available with the safety design needed to now unlock the true power of human-robot collaboration on their facility floors,” he claimed.
FreeMove adds safety to industrial robots
FreeMove allows high-performance industrial robots to work alongside people, enabling much more flexible, productive, and efficient manufacturing workcells, according to Veo Robotics. Unlike other safety measures, Veo’s safeguarding approach gives human workers the ability to walk into a workcell while capturing and monitoring their presence, preventing unsafe conditions, said the Waltham, Mass.-based company.
TÜV Rheinland has certified FreeMove for compliance with ISO 13849 for PLd, Category 3. The system enables human-robot collaboration with industrial robots rather than power- and force-limited (PFL) robots, so manufacturers don’t have to sacrifice reach, speed, or payloads, said Veo.
The company currently partners with the world’s four major industrial robot manufacturers: FANUC, Yaskawa, ABB, and KUKA.
Veo to demo, discuss collaboration at Automate
Veo Robotics will show how FreeMove enables cage-free industrial robot interaction with human workers at Booth 2718 at Automate 2022. The event will take place from June 6 to 9 at the Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit.
Within its booth, Veo will provide live demonstrations of how FreeMove uses dynamic speed and separation monitoring to automatically trigger a robot to stop as human co-workers move closer to the robot during operation. This enables employees on facility floors to get close enough to make adjustments, move parts, or perform any other necessary action.
Then, once they’ve moved to a safe distance away from the robot, it can automatically resume its task, the company said.
Toner will also present a session titled “Enabling Dynamic, Flexible Human-Robot Collaboration with Speed and Separation Monitoring: A Look at Real Applications.” The talk, which will take place on Thursday, June 9, at 1:30 p.m. ET, will describe how FreeMove enables specific applications, as well as lessons learned on next-generation human-robot collaboration during workcell design and implementation.
Automate attendees can schedule a meeting by contacting Veo before the conference.