Automatica Münich 2023: A International Go to to the Way forward for Robotics

Reported by: Juan Necochea, Director of Strategic Partnership

I had the pleasure of visiting Automatica Munich and it was an expertise like no different. It’s onerous to start to place into phrases what the primary day’s 17 km stroll via 6 airplane-sized hangars, filled with unimaginable know-how, welcoming outdated and new buddies, and expresso-fueled conversations felt like, however I’ll give it a shot. As somebody who has attended quite a few commerce exhibits in the US, I used to be pleasantly shocked by the distinctiveness and progressive spirit of this occasion. From groundbreaking milestones to visionary bulletins, Automatica Munich 2023 showcased the forefront of the robotics business, and I’m excited to share my 4-day journey with you.

Upon arrival, the grounds offered an amazing variety of displays, effectively organized into thematically distributed showcases of European-centric know-how. I made my approach via the world’s main commerce honest for sensible automation and robotics with an open agenda to search out what’s new and study concerning the present state of Europe’s robotics panorama.

On my first cease, I used to be welcomed by our accomplice Festo, who was revealing the world’s first pneumatic cobot, setting new requirements in know-how and operability. With this groundbreaking improvement, Festo is ushering in a brand new period of human-robot collaboration. I met with Axel Schümann and Jörg Menner, who defined that via these technological advances, they’re eliminating the necessity for security fences and complex setups. Festo’s innovation empowers seamless and secure interactions between people and machines, enhancing productiveness and effectivity in industrial settings. This primary cease marked the primary of many expresso-fueled conversations, which I shortly got here to know and have a good time as a regular within the European commerce present modus operandi. 

Up subsequent, I used to be blissful to go to our accomplice Maxon, an organization famend for its precision and reliability, and captivated attendees with their newest providing, the ECX PRIME. These highly effective brushless motors with 4-pole rotors and ironless windings are a testomony to Maxon’s dedication to innovation. Notably spectacular was the ECX PRIME 6 within the M HP model, that includes a motor diameter of simply 6 millimeters. Maxon’s steady improvement and industrialization of small-diameter motors showcase their dedication to assembly the precise calls for of their prospects.

Within the neighborhood, I met the European department of our accomplice Harmonic Drive, identified for its cutting-edge know-how. Their heat and disposition to speak concerning the innovation ecosystem in Europe vs the US was profound. They defined about their experience in precision gearheads and servo actuators, which continues to drive progress within the robotics business. 

It was significantly nice to test in with our MassRobotics resident staff, Realtime Robotics, who had been showcasing their cutting-edge know-how following the thrilling information of their partnership with BMW. Their superior robotic movement planning know-how opens new potentialities for secure and environment friendly collaboration between people and robots. Their stand was smaller, nevertheless, crowded and buzzing with questions and admirers. This got here a day after some nice information for the startup.

They had been excited to share the information about their latest fundraising success, securing of their prolonged Collection A a determine north of $54 million, additional solidifying Realtime Robotics’ place as a key participant within the robotics ecosystem.

Our buddies at Common Robots impressed attendees by not solely specializing in a brand new cobot, as in 2022, however on the web-based software program Polyscope X, with which customers can simply function and parameterize not solely the UR robotic itself, however all the utility (particularly the machine loading). 

In fact, I used to be additionally in Münich to make new buddies. I used to be very shocked by Stäubli Robotics, who unveiled the TX2-200, finishing their TX2 six-axis robotic collection. Notable was the design of the biggest Stäubli robotic, which has been optimized for cleanroom suitability. I sit up for persevering with a dialog with them and studying extra about their dedication to innovation within the US.

ABB, which had a big spectacular sales space, launched two new variants of their collaborative robotic GoFa, together with 4 new massive robotic fashions tailor-made for the automotive business. Whereas discussing alternatives to develop traces of dialog, I used to be shocked to study that these modular robots promise power financial savings of as much as 20%, demonstrating ABB’s dedication to offering environment friendly options for industrial automation. We additionally sit up for studying extra about their curiosity within the startup house.

As a fan of company/startup collaboration, I need to congratulate and spotlight it when doable. Wandelbots and Advance Robotics, German newcomers with formidable objectives, had been represented by Fanuc on the occasion. Fanuc showcased their cross-robot software program platforms, Wandelbots Working System and advance.core, which allow simplified programming and management throughout varied robotic techniques. The collaboration between these progressive startups and Fanuc highlights the business’s pursuit of democratizing entry to robotics know-how.

I used to be blissful to debate innovation and open collaboration on the Siemens sales space, who not solely showcased their spectacular vary of commercial automation options but additionally introduced a partnership with Intrisic, a Google offshoot. This collaboration signifies Siemens’ dedication to embracing open robotics platforms and democratizing entry to robotics know-how. The combination of Siemens’ experience with Intrisic’s open robotic platform and AI, programmer, and simulation platform, Flowstate, holds immense potential for advancing the sphere of robotics. 

The record of spectacular exhibitors goes on, with notable mentions together with Fruitcore Robotics, incorporating ChatGPT into their sensible robotic working system Horst OS. 

I had the pleasure of assembly the dynamic staff from Visense, an thrilling startup spinoff from Zurich. I had the chance to talk with Ryan O’Sullivan, their Technique & Operations particular person, and our dialog took an sudden flip when he shared why he had chosen to maneuver to Zurich as a substitute of his hometown of Amherst, MA. Our dialogue delved into the contrasting strengths and nuances of the 2 outstanding ecosystems. Ryan’s insights make clear the varied views and distinctive alternatives that come up from embracing totally different environments. This alternate underscored the significance of world collaboration and cross-pollination of concepts in propelling the robotics business ahead. It was a very enlightening dialog that epitomized the spirit of innovation and collaboration that permeated Automatica Munich 2023.

Automatica Munich 2023 actually demonstrated the transformative energy of robotics, with firms from each Europe and around the globe pushing the boundaries of innovation. From Festo’s pneumatic cobot to Maxon’s highly effective motors, and the myriad of developments showcased by international leaders like ABB and Fanuc, the occasion offered a glimpse into the thrilling way forward for automation.

As I mirror on my expertise at Automatica Munich 2023, it’s evident that the collaboration and information alternate amongst business leaders will proceed to drive the progress of robotics. The developments I witnessed in the course of the occasion function a testomony to the eagerness and dedication of these working tirelessly to form the way forward for automation; and the conversations that MassRobotics continues to develop show doubtless the significance and curiosity in alternatives and bridges that may be constructed between our ecosystems.

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