This article was discussed in our <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte&source=gmail&ust=1640817319915000&usg=AOvVaw2nPRdRwJrXSYYeM9RCFu5x" href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/the.next.byte" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Next Byte podcast</a>.&nbsp;<iframe height="200px" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://player.simplecast.com/b5add957-dddc-4c76-afd3-be64df45c069?dark=false" class="fr-draggable"></iframe>The full article will continue below.<hr><h3 dir="ltr">A Rocky Problem</h3>Failure to remove rocks scattered through farmland can damage expensive machinery; unfortunately, the process of removing rocks from soil can be labor-intensive, costly, and dangerous to workers. To make matters worse, rock picking is often an annual endeavor because between tilling, erosion, and frost heaving, new rocks are pushed up to the surface every year. <h3 dir="ltr">The Story Behind TerraClear</h3>TerraClear’s <a href="https://www.terraclear.com/company" target="_blank">founder</a>, Brent Frei, has had former fame outside of the farm (in the software realm) where he founded hugely successful companies like Onyx Software and <a href="https://www.smartsheet.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Smartsheet</a>. &nbsp;Both companies have since conducted initial public offerings and reached “unicorn” status, boasting market capitalizations of over $1B USD. But how does a bona fide software CEO get into the farming business?Frei’s background in agriculture is deeper than you might guess. He grew up working on his family’s farm in Idaho and after exiting from his role at Smartsheet, he returned to farming full-time with his family. During Frei’s first summer back at the family farm, the backbreaking manual labor of picking rocks to clear farmland motivated him to try and build an automated solution to the problem––and that is how TerraClear was born.&nbsp; <h3 dir="ltr">The TerraClear Solution</h3>TerraClear is a robotic rock-picking arm that mounts to the front of a standard skid-steer loader which can pick up rocks ranging from 6” to 24” in diameter in a 3’ wide picking swath. TerraClear can carry over 1500lbs of rocks and removes up to 400 rocks per hour. Currently, the arm is manually operated, but TerraClear is developing a version that uses autonomous hydraulic controls supported by computer vision to remove rocks from the soil without human intervention. <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjIyNDc5Mjg2NTAzLXRlcnJhY2xlYXIgYXJtLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width: 400px;">Robotic arm attachment for skid loaders and tractors (image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.terraclear.com/products/rock-picker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TerraClear</a>)&nbsp;TerraClear bolsters their rock removal technology with advanced surveys conducted by drones that fly over the farmland to produce a map of rock locations and sizes. These rock maps help farmers to identify areas of interest for rock removal. Between TerraClear’s rock removal and rock surveying technologies, a once cost- and labor- intensive job for farmers is simplified to the easy task of driving a skid loader around their field.</div> <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1622479453917-rock+map.gif" style="width: 400px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">A drone-generated map with rock sizes and locations (image credit: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.terraclear.com/products/rock-mapping-service" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TerraClear</a>) <h3 class="fr-img-space-wrap2">&nbsp;Significance</h3></div>There has been a surge of robotics and AI technologies in the agriculture space that aim to automate all sorts of complex tasks from harvesting to weeding and sorting, but none have focused on the mundane problem that is rock picking. TerraClear leverages proven technology to reduce the time &amp; cost that farmers have to invest to remove rocks and get their fields ready for planting.As Frei <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/rock-picking-robotics-startup-terraclear-150037521.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a>,<blockquote>“there are more than 400 million arable acres worldwide that have been waiting for a cost-effective and productive solution to this problem. Repetitive tasks like this are optimal targets for automation, and the technologies we are bringing to the field dramatically reduce the labor and time needed to prep fields.”</blockquote>

TerraClear's robotic arm attachment for rock picking (image credit: TerraClear)

TerraClear is developing an autonomous system to remove rocks from farmland, making it easier for farmers to get their fields ready for planting.

TerraClear: The Autonomous Rock-Picking Solution

<h2>Prepare For The Robot Revolution</h2>Autonomous Robots are becoming the new normal as they get integrated into industrial settings as well as our everyday lives. It&rsquo;s not all robot arms and sci-fi security bots though, a lot of current autonomous robots resemble normal warehouse objects like conveyor belts and palette jacks. Manufacturing and distribution facilities are incorporating Autonomous Robots into their workflow more and more. Delivery services like Amazon, UPS and food delivery services are beginning to use drones and other AGV (automated guided vehicles) to deliver items to your front door.As these automated devices rise in popularity, the demand for them to carry out different tasks increases. One of the most critical components within any autonomous device is the DC motor or gear motor. There are many different types of motors, each of them excelling at specific tasks. To better explain how and why certain motors are selected when designing autonomous robotics, let&rsquo;s look at what differentiates them and how they are used.<a href="https://islproducts.com/component/brushed-dc-motors/" target="_blank">Brushed Motors</a>: The most common type of DC motor and has been around the longest. They&rsquo;re great for a variety of tasks and are easy to operate due to their simplicity. Their low cost relative to other types of motors makes them a popular choice. To increase the controllability of a brushed motor while keeping the costs down, you can choose to have an encoder added, though this usually increases the cost.Brushed motors are typically used for tasks where speed is the main factor, like drive motors to move AGVs around or to spin the cleaning brush on a floor scrubbing robot. Other simplistic low-torque tasks are where brushed motors are optimal. For example, the door release motor on delivery bots.<a href="https://islproducts.com/component/brushless-dc-motors/" target="_blank">Brushless Motors</a>: These are a good option for applications and tasks that require more precision and control. Brushless motors use an external controller to regulate speed. You do have to make room for the motor controller elsewhere within the application though. Due to the absence of brushes BLDC motors have a much longer usage life than a standard brushed motor, though there is an increase in cost. They are often picked over Brushed motors due to their quiet nature and longer service life. The versatility of BLDCs means that they&rsquo;re a solid choice for most applications.Brushless motors are the perfect choice for applications that need high performance in a small package. They work great as enhanced precision drive motors and as joints on robotic arms. They also serve well for higher speed requirements for carrying out tasks like drilling. Outrunner types of BLDC motors are used mostly in drones as the propeller motor. More companies are starting to use them in other unique ways to accommodate different autonomous functions.&nbsp;<a href="https://islproducts.com/component/stepper-motors/" target="_blank">Stepper Motors</a>: A type of BLDC motor, Stepper motors operates in small and precise &ldquo;steps&rdquo; that allow for incredibly high precision. Stepper motors are open-loop positioning, meaning they don&rsquo;t rely on sensors or monitors, saving on size, weight, and complexity.Stepper motors are great for tasks that require deliberate and precise movement as well as actions that require a hold and pause. This makes them an ideal choice for any type of placement or movement device, whether that is a robotic arm or a Cartesian grid system like on a 3D printer. Stepper motors are also well suited for applications and devices that hold and dispense items, like vending machines. Captive and Non-Captive stepper motors are great for linear movements like sophisticated locking systems or controlling the throttle on gas powered autonomous agricultural equipment.<h2 dir="ltr">Need More Torque? Use A Gear Motor&nbsp;</h2>A common way to increase the torque output of a DC motor is to couple it with a gearbox. The three most common types of these are Planetary, Spur, and Worm gear motors. Each gear motor has its own unique characteristics and purpose within the autonomous world.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjIyMTI1ODk2MTk3LVRoZSBNb3RvcnMgSW5zaWRlIEluZC4gQXV0b25vbW91cyBSb2JvdHMucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"><a href="https://islproducts.com/component/spur-gear-motors/" target="_blank">Spur Gear Motors</a>: The most cost efficient gear motor solution, using straight toothed large and small gears stacked on parallel shafts. Due to their compact construction, they are the best choice for size constricted situations. They are a great option for light work loads like automated rollers or for use at lower torque values like in an autonomous auger system.&nbsp;<a href="https://islproducts.com/component/planetary-gear-motors/" target="_blank">Planetary Gear Motors</a>: This type of gear motor is designed with several satellite gears revolving around one central sun gear. Since several planetary gears are touching the sun gear at once the load is distributed, allowing planetary gear motors to sustain higher torque values. This makes them ideal for higher load and speed applications. Planetary gear motors are most commonly used within robotics where a joint or claw needs to operate varying loads, intermittently. They can be found in forklifts and warehouse robots. They are used in all types of industrial conveying and printing machines.<a href="https://islproducts.com/component/worm-gear-motors/" target="_blank">Worm Gear Motors</a>: These use a &ldquo;worm&rdquo; gear to maximize the motor&rsquo;s torque. The configuration of a worm gearbox turns the output shaft 90 degrees, allowing for a smaller mounting footprint. In addition, worm gear drives will only turn when power is applied, this means that they are self locking in the event of a power failure or a component breakage. This makes them desirable for situations where heavy loads need to be lifted. They can be found powering pulley and track systems for autonomous off-road vehicles as well.Recommended reading:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/servo-motors-vs-stepper-motors" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Servo Motors vs. Stepper Motors</a>As you can gather, in the growing world of autonomous robots and vehicles, motors and gear motors are what literally drives them forward. Using a slew of different motors allows an AGV to maneuver fast, light heavy objects, and maximize power efficiency. The recent expansion in the AGV market is built entirely on these motors, so make sure you use the right motor for the job.

Autonomous Robots use a variety of unique dc motors and gear motors to carry out their multitude of operations. ISL Products explains how and where these dc motors are used.

The Motors Inside Autonomous Robots

Robots are increasingly becoming a part of our society and although right now they&rsquo;re just predominantly deployed in industrial warehouses and automation lines in factories, robots with additional safety features and environment-aware motion planning are at the very cutting edge of robotics research. These collaborative robots or cobots for short, are specially designed to work alongside humans in an unrestricted environment where humans can freely move around.&nbsp;These cobots when combined with Artificial Intelligence or AI, can effectively work alongside humans in the real world and help humans with their day-to-day tasks. AI helps computers make smart decisions to solve problems efficiently. &nbsp; &nbsp;Usually, warehouses are what roboticists call a structured environment, meaning, everything is exactly where it was always placed, and the task is repetitive and has no dynamically changing parameters. For such a task, the involvement of AI would be overkill and can easily be programmed from start to end using simple code. A semi-structured environment is something like a hospital, where most things have a fixed place, there are regulations set about the movement of people and goods around the area, however, there are certain aspects that are volatile and non-repetitive that need dynamic decision making. An example of an unstructured environment is a vegetable sorting line conveyor system, where the throughput of the vegetables is variable, the number of good and bad items varies with time and their locations on the conveyor are dynamically changing all the time.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjIxNjQ1NTMzNjA2LTEyLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 716px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">This is one of the hardest problems to solve as it involves so many different aspects of robotics, such as AI for deciding when to do which action, path planning, and trajectory optimization, for finding ways to perform that action, control systems, for accurately following that plan and computer vision, to identify, track and provide 3D coordinates for the robot to reach. This is the problem THINC Lab researchers are currently engaged in solving.&nbsp;To give a brief overview of the complete architecture, we have an RGBD camera observing the items on a conveyor belt, the RGB or color images are fed into a trained deep learning neural network that identifies the salient objects in the image. These object locations are then identified in the real world using computer vision transformation techniques. In the following image, you can see the cobot Sawyer, a conveyor belt with onions, and a bin to place the bad onions recognized by the neural network. From here, some robot programming as mentioned before will do the job of sorting the onions.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6yAhe-vZvAk?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" data-gtm-yt-inspected-8="true" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> However, how does the robot know what to do after identifying and picking up an object? The task may sometimes be too complex to explicitly program. This is where AI steps in again. Using an AI technique called Inverse Reinforcement learning (IRL), the robot can observe a human performing the task and learn how to do it by itself.Recommended reading:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/how-far-along-are-we-in-the-ai-human-race" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How far along are we in the AI-Human &quot;race&quot;?</a>The idea behind IRL is to learn the intent of the expert performing the task. Once that is understood, the robot can do it in a way that it deems plausible while preserving the intent. The following image shows another deep-learning network called the SA-Net processing the data of the human performing the task and extracting the salient features needed to learn.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjIxOTU3MDYyMjU2LXNhbmV0LnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 660px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The system is still in its prototype stage and this proof of concept setup would soon be improved to the stage of commercial deployment. &nbsp;For further details about the research we do, check out the <a href="http://thinc.cs.uga.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">THINC Lab website</a>.

Cobots when combined with Artificial Intelligence(AI), can effectively work alongside humans in the real world on their daily tasks. With an AI technique called Inverse Reinforcement learning (IRL), the robot can observe a human performing the task and learn how to do it quite intuitively.

Can Robots watch Humans  and learn a task?

Bin picking, i.e. robotic picking of objects with random poses from a bin, is one of the most common robotic tasks yet also one that poses some of the greatest technological challenges. A robot needs to be equipped with exceptional vision and robotic intelligence to be able to localize each part in a bin, navigate to it without colliding with its environment or other parts, then pick it, and safely place it to another location in an aligned position.There are two ways to mount a 3D vision system in the robotic cell, each having its advantages and each being more suitable for certain applications:A. Extrinsic calibrationB. Hand-eye calibration <h2>Extrinsic calibration</h2>Extrinsic calibration is used in setups where the scanner is mounted in a fixed, stationary position in the robotic cell, usually above the bin. The scanner must not be moved in relation to the robot after the system has been calibrated but it does not need to be stationary in relation to the robotic cell.&nbsp;Photoneo offers five models of the <a href="https://www.photoneo.com/phoxi-3d-scanner/" target="_blank">PhoXi 3D Scanner</a> (XS – XL), each providing a different scanning volume ranging from 16 centimeters up to 4 meters. As a rule of thumb, the more room is required for the bin picking application – including the space for robot movement, the size of the bin and parts, etc. – the larger model of the PhoXi 3D Scanner is required.Extrinsic calibration&nbsp;is done with any suitable ball&nbsp;attached to the endpoint of the robotic arm or to the gripper. The ball needs to be made of a material that is appropriate for scanning, that means smooth and not too reflective.<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1621588982478-Photoneo_Extrinsic+calibration.png" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Extrinsic calibration: The 3D scanner is mounted in a stationary position.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><h2>Hand-eye picking</h2>Hand-eye calibration allows you to mount the 3D vision system directly onto the robotic arm. For a successful calibration, the scanner must be mounted behind the very last joint (e.g. on the gripper). Any changes made to the scanner’s position after the calibration renders the calibration matrix invalid and the whole calibration procedure must be carried out again. <iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hu9RHfuUwW0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> Hand-eye calibration&nbsp;is done with a marker pattern – a flat sheet of paper (or another material) with a special pattern recognized by Photoneo PhoXi 3D scanners. <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1621589161916-Photoneo_Hand-eye+calibration.png" style="width: 700px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Hand-eye calibration: The 3D scanner is mounted on the robotic arm.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><h3>Advantages of hand-eye picking</h3>Hand-eye picking offers a number of advantages over the traditional setup. If you have a large bin&nbsp;and a scanner mounted above it with a fixed viewpoint, you will not be able to scan the bin with a&nbsp;small scanner. If you mount a small scanner directly onto the robotic arm, you can come closer to the contents&nbsp;of the bin with the scanner and choose which part of the bin to scan.Another advantage of hand-eye bin picking comes in case you have two bins. One scanner mounted firmly in a fixed position will not be able to make scans of both bins – this would require two scanners at least. In contrast to this, a scanner mounted on the robotic arm will move from one bin to another&nbsp;and make scans of their contents from appropriate distance and angle. It is thus able to cover a larger area than extrinsic calibration.Hand-eye bin picking may also eliminate the need to darken the room where the robotic cell is placed. The ambient light coming from a window might pose serious challenges to the deployed 3D vision system and often requires special effort to darken the whole room. A scanner attached to the robot can make scans of a bin from one side first and then from another, minimizing the need to make any special adjustments to the environment.It can also happen that the 3D vision system itself casts shadows on the bin and inhibits a high-quality acquisition of the scene. This problem is usually solved by making a compromise and finding the most optimal position for the scanner in relation to the bin or by manually rearranging the parts within the bin so that the vision system captures them all in the end. Hand-eye bin picking eliminates this problem as it enables the scanner to “look” at the scene from any angle and from any position.Similarly, the hand-eye approach is an optimal solution for picking&nbsp;parts that are placed close to the walls of the bin. The walls – and even the parts themselves – may cast shadows and inhibit the recognition of the parts so mounting the vision system onto the robotic arm will allow you to approach and pick the parts from an appropriate angle.&nbsp;While hand-eye bin picking provides numerous advantages over extrinsic calibration, it is also fair to say that a scanner attached to the robotic arm may restrict the robot’s movements. Bearing this limitation in mind, it is advisable to choose a smaller scanner. In the case of Photoneo PhoXi 3D Scanner family, the appropriate models are XS, S, M, and L, covering a scanning range from 16 cm up to 2 m.Another important fact is that the robot needs to stay still during scan acquisition, which may prolong the cycle time. Therefore, the hand-eye approach is not suitable for time-critical applications.If you want to automate your application but are not sure what type of bin picking solution would be best suited for your project, <a href="https://www.photoneo.com/contact-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">contact Photoneo</a> and let’s discuss it. We will be happy to assist you.

There are two ways to mount a 3D vision system in the robotic cell, each having its advantages and each being more suitable for certain applications. However, there are many cases where hand-eye calibration surpasses the more traditional setup in a number of respects.

Hand-eye bin picking

Picking an electric drive for robotic applications is a delicate matter—and a real headache. Sometimes it’s easier to order a custom motor for your robot instead of buying a standard one.&nbsp;Of course, you can always obtain a conventional drive model from a well-known manufacturer and ask for modifications. However, here comes the downside: such changes are typically expensive, and you’ll probably have to wait longer for them to be made. For a hardware startup building a prototype, long delays can be a dealbreaker.&nbsp;Meanwhile, a custom electric motor can save you lots of your time, money, and nerves. What is more, a made-to-order engine is a better fit for an advanced product with peculiar dimensions and specifications. Such a solution may have extra protection to endure specific environmental hazards.However, when you have no clear picture of what you should get, ordering a custom motor may seem too complicated. To ease your worries, we at Rozum Robotics have come up with a list of recommendations to consider before filling out a custom motor request.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">What You Should Know About Custom Motor Specifications</h2> <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjIwOTg0OTU1NDUwLUlNR180NzAyICgxKS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">FMI Drive by Rozum Robotics&nbsp;If you want to get a custom electric motor, you’ll have to review some technical specifications for your product first.&nbsp;</div> Here's what we suggest paying attention to and put down in a checklist for a tailored drive (you may not know all of them, but that’s no problem—even identifying some of them can be of huge help):<ul><li dir="ltr">Power Supply</li></ul>Check out your power supply parameters first. Are we talking about single-phase electric power, three-phase one, or DC?<ul><li dir="ltr">Nominal Supply Voltage</li></ul>Do you know the intended nominal supply voltage of your system? If yes, inform the manufacturer about it.<ul><li dir="ltr">Overall Dimensions</li></ul>Before ordering a custom engine, you have to think about how it’s going to fit. Take all the necessary measurements, such as height, width, depth, and weight. If known, add to these parameters the diameter and length of the output shaft end.<ul><li dir="ltr">Housing</li></ul>There are at least three things to consider: the material of your application housing, the insulation class of your stator windings, and the Ingress Protection Rating of the electric motor you want to have. The rating is used to define the protection level against water and dust.<ul><li dir="ltr">Motor Characteristics</li></ul>One of the most important steps is to identify required motor ratings. To do so, answer the questions below:<ol><li dir="ltr">How should motor windings be connected?</li><li dir="ltr">What should the nominal and maximum engine torque be?</li><li dir="ltr">What should the nominal and maximum voltage be?</li><li dir="ltr">What should the nominal and maximum rotation speed be?</li><li dir="ltr">What should the nominal motor power be?</li><li dir="ltr">What should the rotor moment of inertia be?</li><li dir="ltr">What is your expected efficiency output?</li><li dir="ltr">What is your operation mode, S1, S3, or something else?</li></ol><ul><li dir="ltr">Environment</li></ul>The environmental impact determines the life cycle of a drive, so it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the conditions your drive will operate under. Have you established the operating temperature range? What about humidity? Is the environment corrosive or explosive? All these things matter when developing a reliable custom motor.<ul><li dir="ltr">Control System</li></ul>When it comes to the control system, you need to take a closer look at your controller. Is it an in-house solution or a purchased product from a third-party provider? If yes, who is the manufacturer? What is the model of this controller? Do you need feedback control?&nbsp;Another important thing is to define the commutation type of the motor. Is it trapezoidal or sinusoidal?&nbsp;<ul><li dir="ltr">Temperature Sensors</li></ul>Do you require inbuilt sensors to detect temperature changes so that the motor can shut off power and prevent overheating from happening?<ul><li dir="ltr">Additional Requirements</li></ul>The needs of hardware startups vary. Your custom motor may need some additional features not mentioned in this article. If you’re pressed for time or on a shoestring budget, you may also want to include these facts in the list of demands.<h2 dir="ltr">What You Should Check About a Custom Motor Manufacturer</h2> <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjIwOTg0ODExNjYxLUlNR180NzE5LmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">FMI Drives by Rozum RoboticsIt’s always challenging to find a credible custom motor manufacturer able to deliver engines on cue.</div>To avoid pitfalls, we recommend having a detailed conversation with a potential partner and focusing attention on the following points:<ol><li dir="ltr">Production: Make sure your partner has in-house production and doesn’t outsource projects to unknown third parties. Working with a direct manufacturer gives you more control over the process—and makes it transparent;</li><li dir="ltr">Expertise: It’s safer to order custom motors from a vendor who has a proven track record of successful products;</li><li dir="ltr">Pricing:&nbsp;Finding a producer with a reasonable price-quality ratio is an entire quest—we at Rozum Robotics went through this themselves when we were looking for a customized solution. Eventually, we decided to produce motors all by ourselves.&nbsp;</li></ol>Don’t hesitate to verify all the possible information about prospective suppliers—the precaution will save you from unnecessary trouble down the road.<h2 dir="ltr">The Bottom Line</h2>If you’re a startupper trying to take the world by storm, you know how important it is to get a personalized engine for a prototype. In this case, ordering a custom motor can provide you with many benefits since you’re getting a solution adapted for your application. Although it requires some preliminary fieldwork, such a step can help you get ahead of competitors and build something awesome along the way.&nbsp;

Ordering a custom one isn't a walk in the park—that's why it's better to follow a custom motor roadmap.

Thinking of Ordering a Custom Motor? Here's How to Do It Right

<h2 dir="ltr">What is a Cobot?</h2>Cobot is short for collaborative robot and they are designed to work directly with people within a shared space. In comparison to traditional industrial robots, cobots utilize force feedback to detect collisions to ensure that no humans collaborating with the robot get harmed because of a potential impact. They are often designed with rounded or soft features and can only be operated with lower speeds (unless they are behind fences) to prevent injuries to people.Cobots can complete high precision and heavy-duty tasks with minimal oversight. Their function is to complement human skills, not to be a replacement for human workers. Hence, intuitive low code programming opportunities are a vital component to achieve a high acceptance from the users. Cobots are smaller, lightweight, and significantly more affordable than earlier industrial robots. Working alongside humans, they increase productivity and help to create safer, more efficient workplaces.<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/industrie.40.deep.dive.part.1.introducing.smart.manufacturing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Industrie 4.0</a>, also known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is the next movement in manufacturing. It’s the convergence of several technologies that combine continuous data gathering and artificial intelligence (AI) to be more agile, responsive, and customizable than traditional manufacturing. Collaborative robotics is an essential Industrie 4.0 technology. As Industrie 4.0 marches forward and AI continues to mature, more intelligent and capable cobots are on the verge of becoming ever-present. &nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">What is MAiRA?</h2>The Multi-sensing Intelligent Robotic Assistant <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/industrie.40.deep.dive.part.1.introducing.smart.manufacturing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">(MAiRA)</a> is the new cognitive cobot from German-based NEURA robotics. It delivers previously unseen features for cobots that will push them towards the goal of making them smarter, more user-friendly, and autonomous. moving them beyond industrial applications and into homes, healthcare, retail, and office spaces.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Safety enables close working conditions</h3>MAiRA is equipped with an integrated proprietary sensor system that enables “Touchless Safe Human Detection.” The sensors can detect and distinguish people from other objects within a 3 meter range and provide instructions to the robot to change direction, slow down or stop. The sensor system provides a secure and robust 360° view and doesn’t struggle with problems like occlusion, dirt, or bad lighting conditions.&nbsp;This makes human collaboration with MAiRA much easier, safer, and more intuitive. While not having the safety fences of traditional industrial robots, cobots still must operate under complex safety rules and regulations that reduce the danger of harm for collaborative tasks.&nbsp;MAiRA’s extensive safety features based on the safe human detection feature allow a much closer physical interaction without the normally required risk assessment. The impact of this type of sensor in collaborative robotics is not to be underestimated. Current regulations are prohibitively restrictive and compulsory for most international markets. Any change to the operating environment, the cobot’s gripper, or other components affects the risk assessment of the robot. MAiRA's advanced system enables it to be employed more quickly and easily through a variety of settings.<h3 dir="ltr">Intuitive interaction and contextual awareness</h3>MAiRA is also equipped with advanced speech recognition enabling her collaborators to interact and give commands using voice. &nbsp;It also enables the cobot to recognize and track people using their voice or other sounds. Voice commands are a critical aspect of future cobots and other assistive technologies. Voice is perhaps our most intuitive method of communication and something that we constantly utilize when working in partnerships. MAiRA’s voice capabilities elevate its usefulness in industrial and healthcare settings where a person’s hands are likely to be already engaged in another activity. Voice is also a huge benefit when thinking about the role of cobots in personal healthcare; users with limited mobility can interact and command MAiRA without moving.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Giving cobots cognition</h3>In addition to its voice capabilities, MAiRA is powered by an Intelligent Cognitive Robot Controller, called NEURON. This modular system enables MAiRA to understand her environment even when there are minute changes and adjust her own tasks or movements to be able to continue to operate at the highest productivity. &nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">MAiRA In-Depth</h2>The MAiRA Pro M has a reach of 1,400mm, repeatability of 10µm, and a dynamic payload of up to 12-15kg. Repeatability in cobots is its ability to achieve repetition of the same task. MAiRA’s NEURA encoders have a resolution of &nbsp;24 bits. This coupled with high precision NEURA motors allows for 0.1mm absolute accuracy and 0.2mm path accuracy. Path accuracy is the difference between the robot's actually traveled trajectory and its precalculated trajectory. MAiRA’s high accuracy and repeatability mean the cobot is extremely good at hitting its target and doing it repeatedly. This opens up many use cases to MAiRA which can not be performed with other cobots. <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE5NzcxNzMyNjY3LU1BaVJBX2Z1bGxfYm9keTAwMV9zaGFkb3cuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="MAiRA, a white collaborative robot arm with blue light sensors. ">MAiRA Pro M. Image credit: NEURA RoboticsThe MAiRA cobot can be further customized with a suite of perception sensors depending on the client’s needs. These advanced sensors consist of a 3D RGB-D camera, six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) Force/Torque sensor, Smart Sensitive 6-DOF Sensor Skin for guidance by touch, 3D Voice Recognition Sensor, and Touchless Safe Human Detection. All of these sensors contribute to the cobot’s ability to map out its environment and react to it. This leads to a cobot that can avoid dangerous interactions with humans and perform dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs without excessive human intervention which opens up the workers to pursue more creative tasks.<h3 class="fr-img-space-wrap2">Drag and drop programming</h3></div>MAiRA comes equipped with an Intelligent UX Control Tablet called PERSPECTiVE, with a 10.1” touchscreen, running on the NEURON OS operating system. PERSPECTiVE also features a dead-man switch and an emergency button for an additional level of safety. The app-based interface is intuitive and requires no coding. Commands are drag and drop. This makes MAiRA more accessible to a wide range of users as it requires less training to operate than traditional cobots. And for more control, advanced users can program the robot in Python.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SjXnbXa2FFY??list=PLCIuXnSQHFF64X98DDSUxEKPsuMlCKSv5&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" style="width: 788px; height: 437px;"></iframe>Advanced AI, easy programmability, capacitive and voice sensors for guidance, combined with the 360° sensor makes MAiRA easy to use and safe. Essentially, this would allow anyone to operate MAiRA with limited training. Interactions with the robot are intuitive, so that it becomes more of a helper, and not a machine meant to replace workers. Exactly how cobots and other automation tools will replace or augment human workers is a critical topic to consider. MAiRA’s intuitive programming ability means almost anyone can learn the skills and tools required to play a role in the maintenance and operation of the cobot.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Where Will MAiRA Work?</h3>Of course, MAiRA is perfectly capable of working on the factory floor. Its high accuracy and repeatability make it ideal for pick and place. For example, it can be trained with a step-by-step wizard to recognize and identify objects and it learns with every training session to grasp different objects independently.MAiRA can get moving when paired with the Multisensing Autonomous Vehicle (MAV), an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) that is also designed to collaborate with humans. MAiRA, can be mounted onto the MAV robot to become a mobile manipulator. This opens up a wide range of applications for these cobots. Combined with MAV, MAiRA can organize the warehouse or stock the shelves of a supermarket.Its advanced AI and sensing capabilities help MAiRA work in challenging environments, and its ability to interact with people safely makes it a perfect robotic assistant for surgical and medical screening, and for use in dentistry. This frees up healthcare workers from doing mundane, routine tasks. Their skills and highly valuable time can be spent on more pressing matters. As we have an aging population and not nearly enough caregivers, MAiRA will be invaluable for eldercare.&nbsp;<div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjE5NzcxODU1NzgwLWRlbnRpc3QuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 788px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="A robot places a dentistry tool inside a patients mouth. ">Intelligent robots can assist with surgery and dental procedures. Image credit: NEURA Robotics.<h2 class="fr-img-space-wrap2">Looking Forward</h2></div>MAiRA brings cobots one step closer to full automation but is designed to work with people, not to replace them. Future versions of MAiRA will bring more capabilities to the cobot. Next year there are several new iterations of the cobot and its kin. A double arm version of MAiRA enhances its utility.A smaller version, the MAiRA Jr., is planned for the education sector and a more compact and agile MAV Jr. is in the works. Designed for smaller payloads, it could be paired with MAiRA to make an even friendlier, more useful assistant for all aspects of our lives. There is a real need for small, affordable, and lightweight cobots in these difficult times. Imagine a fleet of cobots preparing or even administering COVID vaccines. That would certainly help speed up the process of getting to herd immunity.Cobots have the potential to change our lives for the better by speeding up production safely and providing assistance in a wide range of applications. Intuitive controls, multi-sensing, and a powerful, teachable AI, makes MAiRA a better cobot. Enhanced safety features and the ability to safely interact with humans, allow this cognitive cobot to move beyond the limits of industrial settings. MAiRA can safely operate in offices, classrooms, and even in our homes. Soon, cobots like this will be ubiquitous enabling a new era of collaboration.

MAiRA robot in a medical setting. Image credit: Neura Robotics. 

Advanced sensors and sophisticated AI power intuitive robotic assistant.

MAiRA Smart Cobot Promises Next-Level Cognition and Interaction

There is a growing trend of using robots to do the tasks that could harm humans. Here are six fascinating examples.<h2>1. Firefighters Depend on Robots to Assess Burning Buildings</h2>Smoke and flames can make it nearly impossible for even the most experienced firefighters to navigate once they&rsquo;re inside a building that&rsquo;s on fire. However, there&rsquo;s a recent development called the SmokeBot that crews can <a href="https://www.maketecheasier.com/smokebot-robot-fight-fires-firefighters/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">send into flaming structures</a> to monitor the progression of fires and the damage caused.Something that sets the SmokeBot apart from other fire-ready robots is that it creates interior maps firefighters can use later to find their way around the building. It accomplishes this map-making feat with a combination of attachments including a thermal camera and gas sensors.The U.S. Navy also has a firefighting robot that extinguishes flames on ships. That piece of equipment has arms that can open doors or use hoses to help fight and control the fire.Robots don&rsquo;t necessarily remove humans from the equation, but they can let firefighters know in greater detail what to expect. Then, it&rsquo;s easier for those professionals to prepare or call for more assistance when needed.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1574191863839-5b28e74785ba9.jpg">SmokeBot &ndash; a robot serving rescue units<h2>2. A Cow-Herding Robot Keeps Farm Workers Safer</h2>Cows are generally docile, but when farmers deal with thousands of them at once while herding them to various areas of a farm, it&rsquo;s not hard to imagine how things could go wrong.<a href="https://www.cargill.com/story/meet-the-cowboy-robot-thats-making-cattle-herding-safer" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Cargill recently unveiled</a> a &ldquo;robotic cowboy&rdquo; on wheels that waves plastic bags on its limbs to compel the cows to move. Humans control the robot with remotes as they stand on catwalks, but they can do so at a distance that keeps them more protected if issues arise.Cargill associates asserted that it&rsquo;s highly preferable to replace a piece of equipment if accidents happen instead of putting people in harm&rsquo;s way. The use of a robot to work with cattle makes a dangerous but necessary job safer.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Aehth3w9h04?&feature=emb_title&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" style="width: 1114px; height: 615px;"></iframe> 3. Robots Clean Up Nuclear SitesThe nuclear energy industry is full of dangers for humans, but it&rsquo;s frequently looking for ways to expose robots to the potential harm instead.Sellafield is a nuclear power plant in England that handles nuclear fuel reprocessing and nuclear decommissioning. There&rsquo;s one hot-spot known locally as &ldquo;D-Bay&rdquo; that started acting as a radioactive sludge depository in the 1970s. The sludge is a byproduct of decaying nuclear fuel and other debris &mdash; and Sellafield has the equivalent of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/robots-tackle-sellafields-notorious-radioactive-hot-spot" rel="noopener" target="_blank">35 concrete mixer trucks&rsquo;</a> worth of it.After a decade of planning, officials at Sellafield and their partners were ready to start using robots that sucked up the dangerous material with arms mounted on overhead cranes. Another tool can attach to a crane and chop large pieces of debris into smaller chunks. Operators stay shielded behind a wall while manoeuvring the robots.The Shadow Robot Company also have a <a href="https://www.shadowrobot.com/wp-content/uploads/Introducing-the-Shadow-Telehand.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">custom-made teleoperation product</a> which uses innovative technology to help transform work within radioactive environments via remote handling in alpha glove boxes. Their robot hand means operators can remotely handle materials in a glove box from afar at no risk to their well-being. They can even operate the Hand in their shirt sleeves at an office desk with full control over the robot&rsquo;s movements back at the cell.Robots are also <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/fukushima-robot-cleanup/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">helping with the cleanup process</a> at Fukushima, a nuclear plant in Japan that got devastated by an earthquake and tsunamis in 2011. One robot called the Sunfish helped find missing fuel inside a radioactive containment vessel. Several other robots couldn&rsquo;t handle the radiation, but the Sunfish is helping engineers learn how to build other robots to assist in dealing with the aftermath.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1574191702468-ezgif-6-e37770a42569.gif">Credit: Shadow Robot Company, internal demo of our teleoperation product <h2>4. Decreasing Welding Dangers With Specialized Robots</h2>Welding requires professionals to work with extremely hot temperatures and carry out precise tasks during their shifts. But statistics indicate that robotic welding makes up <a href="https://www.fairlawntool.com/blog/complete-guide-robotic-welding/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">29 percent of welding applications</a>. Spot welding is currently the most common use, but arc welding is catching up in popularity.Arc welding is a particularly good fit for robotics when it comes to safety. That&rsquo;s because it involves both chemical reactions and hot temperatures, both of which could be dangerous to humans.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1574191978370-wel.gif" style="width: 1042px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Besides, welding exposes humans to hazardous fumes. It can also cause a condition from ultraviolet light called ultraviolet keratitis. When operating welding robots, humans stay behind safety fences or interlocking doors. However, they&rsquo;re still needed during the process to inspect the robot&rsquo;s work and ensure the equipment works as expected.Many people nervously anticipate robots taking over their jobs. But this is an example of how robots could supplement our roles by making them less dangerous than before.<h2>5. Rescuing Victims of Snow-Related Disasters With Robots</h2>Snowfall is a common occurrence that can turn deadly &mdash; especially when avalanches happen. Researchers have spent years investigating ways to use robots for snow rescues, and they&rsquo;re coming up with continually improved methods.At the University of Bologna, <a href="https://www.unibo.it/en/notice-board/from-sherpa-to-airborne-the-new-generation-of-mountain-rescue-robot-drones" rel="noopener" target="_blank">a project is underway</a> to enhance robot-facilitated emergency assistance for victims trapped by snow. One method uses drones and radar to find people in distress. The team working on this initiative believes the results will save more lives and better equip rescuers to find people faster than they otherwise might.<h2>6. Relying on Robots for Pipeline and Fuel Tank Inspections</h2>Pipeline inspectors are instrumental in preventing oil spills, and they cope with claustrophobic environments and other job-related risks. But research indicates that even when pipeline checks happen, those assessments often fail to detect issues. In other cases, <a href="https://www.climatechangenews.com/2018/08/07/oil-pipeline-inspection-industry-going-wrong-surveys-fail-prevent-spills/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">problems do not get accurately reported</a>. These shortcomings have given rise to calls for improvements in pipeline inspection methodology and technology.Previous methods to inspect pipelines included sending pressurised water inside to test their strength or digging into the ground to carry out spot tests. But beginning a few years ago, a company called Diakont emerged as one of the first to <a href="https://phys.org/news/2017-06-robots-oil.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">send robots inside pipelines</a> to have a look.The two arms on the robots have ultrasonic sensors that measure the circumference of a pipeline and assess structural integrity. Diakont also developed a robot for fuel storage tanks that keeps operators away from the volatile environment caused by the presence of flammable material. This robot doesn&rsquo;t require draining the containers first, and that advantage prevents up to two months of downtime where the tank remains out of operation while removing the fuel.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1574191609887-Diakont-Robot.jpg">Credit: CNBC.com, Diakont RobotIf you have questions, or feedback, feel free to leave them below in the comments.<hr><h2>Sponsored content</h2>This article was created in partnership with the Shadow Robot Company. If you are interested in sharing sponsored content on the Wevolver platform email us at richard [at] wevolver.com. Wevolver reaches more than 6 million young, professional engineers and engineering students every month. To learn more visit our &quot;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/marketing-solutions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Marketing Solutions</a>&quot; page.

The world is full of life-threatening jobs. There was a time when humans merely gritted their teeth, accepted the risk and trusted that the training they received would protect them from harm. However, there is a growing trend of using robots to do the tasks that could harm humans.

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