Even faster to a low-cost robotic system

Many companies already know that automation offers enormous potential to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world of work. But the crucial question remains: How do you implement it? RBTX provides the answer: the online marketplace offers more than 500 robot solutions, 95 percent of which cost less than 12,000 euros. Here, even companies with no prior knowledge of robotics can put together cost-effective low-cost automation solutions (LCA) based on the plug-and-program principle. "With RBTX, we want to gradually remove all barriers that stand in the way of companies entering the world of automation," says Alexander Mühlens, authorized signatory and Head of the Low-Cost Automation division at Igus. The decisive factor here, for example, is to ensure guaranteed interoperability of all components on offer, which makes incorrect purchases virtually impossible. "A further step in this direction is the introduction of a new AI advisor that interacts with interested parties to shorten the search for components in an ever-growing range."

AI consultant works with empirical data from hundreds of successful LCA projects

The new AI chatbot supports users in finding suitable LCA components through written interaction. The AI draws on empirical data from hundreds of projects that companies have already successfully automated with the help of RBTX. The answers are correspondingly targeted. An example: A small workshop is suffering from a shortage of labor and wants to automate the loading of blanks onto its CNC machine. The plant's technical manager asks the new AI chatbot the question: "Which robot is suitable for loading my CNC machine?" Within a few seconds, the AI provides the answer: "The Robolink robot arm from Igus would be a suitable solution here. The arm moves along five axes, has a reach of 790 millimetres, a speed of seven picks per minute and can detect the position of the components with the help of a 3D camera. The price starts at 2,766 euros." After this answer, the user asks which gripper would be suitable. The AI consultant replies: "A parallel gripper from Zimmer would be a suitable choice." In a seemingly natural dialog like this, users gradually put together their own individual LCA solution.

First users are enthusiastic about the new AI advisor

Companies experimenting with automation are enthusiastic about the new AI chatbot. "Many customers have already given us feedback that they have entered into a dialog with the AI robot advisor. It has given them a better feel for the possibilities of low-cost automation and significantly accelerated the search for suitable components," says Mühlens happily. "We are therefore planning to expand the AI advisor with additional functions in the future." For example, it should be possible for the consultant to embed images and video footage of references in their answers and develop complete LCA solutions with a target price.