The YuMi is an assembly robot that was designed to have a similar shape to a human.
One of the concerns around automation and robotic manufacturing is that it has the potential to forgo human labor and therefore cost millions of people their livelihoods. The YuMi is an assembly robot designed by ABB that is meant to work in collaboration with humans rather than in competition with them. The dual-arm assembly robot has vision, strong grips, "sensitive force control feedback" and flexible software. Since YuMi works alongside people, safety was a main concern for the company in the design process. The YuMi has padded arms, no pinch points, impact senses and is relatively small in size.
This robot was designed to look like a human for optimal functionality, but also to put people working alongside it at ease. As a result, ABB has created an assembly robot that could set a unique precedent for ones to come, as it works with people rather than against them.
Collaborative Assembly Robots
This Robot Was Built to Collaborate with Humans
Trend Themes
1. Collaborative Assembly Robots - The trend of developing assembly robots that can work in collaboration with humans rather than replace them offers disruptive innovation opportunities for a more efficient and harmonious work environment.
2. Human-like Design - The trend of designing robots with a human-like appearance, such as the YuMi assembly robot, provides an opportunity for creating a sense of familiarity and comfort for human workers, leading to increased productivity and acceptance of robotic technologies.
3. Safety-focused Robotics - The trend of integrating safety features, such as padded arms, no pinch points, and impact senses, into robotic designs like the YuMi assembly robot presents disruptive innovation opportunities for minimizing the risk of accidents and improving overall industrial safety.
Industry Implications
1. Manufacturing Industry - The manufacturing industry can leverage collaborative assembly robots to streamline production processes, enhance human-robot cooperation, and increase overall operational efficiency.
2. Robotics Industry - The robotics industry can capitalize on the trend of human-like design to develop robots that promote better human-robot interaction and accelerate the adoption of automation in various sectors.
3. Workplace Safety Industry - The workplace safety industry can embrace safety-focused robotics to offer innovative solutions for preventing accidents, reducing injuries, and improving the overall safety standards in industrial environments.