The popular cobot is now optimized to play the slots.
For those with an eye on the collaborative robot market, you’re
probably familiar with YuMi, a two-armed cobot ideal for assembly or picking
tasks, such as this
bin picking application. Recently, ABB has announced a new version of the
YuMi cobot, now with only one arm, in a move to reduce the robot’s footprint.
ABB is previewing the new, single-arm cobot at the
International Robotics Exhibition (iREX) 2017 in Tokyo. The robot will be
officially launched in 2018. Watch the 30-second announcement video from ABB to
see the robot in action:
Like the original YuMi, introduced in 2015, the new robot
has a payload of 500 grams and the company hopes that its compactness will
enable it to be more easily integrated into existing assembly lines. Like the
majority of cobots on the market, this robot features lead-through programming,
designed to reduce the need for specialized training for operators.
“The success of YuMi has exceeded expectations; it was
originally designed for small-parts assembly, but it has turned out to be
exceptionally versatile – it can solve a Rubik’s Cube, make sushi, wrap gifts
and conduct an orchestra.” Said Sami Atiya, President of ABB’s Robotics and
Motion division. “We fully expect our new single-arm robot to be equally
well-received, especially since it was developed at the request of customers.”
“We continue to build our collaborative robotics portfolio,”
said Per Vegard Nerseth, Managing Director, ABB Robotics. “The newest robot is
a much-anticipated addition to the ‘factory of the future,’ enabling our
customers to grow and thrive in the age of mass customization.”
While this new robot represents a small, incremental change
in ABB’s collaborative robot offerings, it nonetheless indicates the fascinating
growth potential in the cobot market.
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