Mitsubishi Electric Collaborates With Hacarus and Northrop Grumman

Mitsubishi Electric and industrial artificial intelligence (AI) solutions provider Hacarus have announced an agreement to grow their collaboration with a focus on accelerating the creation of AI-supported visual inspection applications in manufacturing. Mitsubishi is also teaming up with the aerospace and defense technology business Northrop Grumman to create a networking system for improving interoperability within air defense systems.

 

AI-based visual inspection software, like Hacarus’ Check AI software, can help address the growing skilled labor shortage. Video used courtesy of Hacarus 

 

Benefits of AI-based Visual Inspection

According to findings from Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, as many as 2.1 million jobs could become vacant by 2030 because of the lack of skills across the manufacturing workforce. In light of the pervading U.S. labor shortage, it has become imperative to bring in automation. 

Introducing AI-supported visual inspection technologies can help manufacturers fill in any gaps in labor while also enhancing defect detection, reducing production downtime, and increasing product output. AI-based inspections can use advanced deep-learning algorithms to enable the detection of product anomalies. Large datasets of images are used to train the AI, allowing it to pick apart complex details and distinguish things like dents, scratches, or inconsistencies with color that the human eye may not pick up.

AI-based visual inspection systems can also bring together camera data and data from other sensors (such as thermal images or lasers) to detect internal flaws in products. In addition to inspections in real-time, AI can classify product defects (depending on set criteria learned in AI training, such as defect severity and location) and conduct root cause analysis, assessing both product and production equipment for any maintenance required.

Like Hacarus’ Check AI software, Mitsubishi’s MELSOFT VIXIO software trains its AI on large datasets of images to detect unwanted product defects. Image used courtesy of Mitsubishi Electric 

 

Mitsubishi and Hacarus

Both Mitsubishi and Hacarus intend to leverage one another's expertise to increase synergies that target the growth of business and technological potential. With help from Hacarus, Mitsubishi seeks to enhance its automated visual inspection solution offering for its network of customers who wish to improve productivity and production quality. The partnership will provide Hacarus access to Mitsubishi’s well-established sales infrastructure across Japan and other overseas locations.

Hacarus' Check AI software uses algorithms to detect defects, including dents on metal parts, scratches on metal plates, and foreign object contamination on electronic circuit boards. This software solution is accompanied by Hacarus' factory automation device-AI integration offering.

As recently as December last year, Mitsubishi released its very own AI-supported visual-inspection software, MELSOFT VIXIO. The solution is coupled with Mitsubishi's Maisart AI technology to automate visual inspection operations and increase production quality while addressing Japan's dwindling labor force. Mitsubishi intends to strengthen this offering through the introduction of Hacarus' expertise.
 

Mitsubishi and Northrop Grumman sign a teaming agreement to bolster Japan’s national security. Image used courtesy of Northrop Grumman

 

Mitsubishi and Northrop Grumman

In other recent news, Mitsubishi Electric announced its entry into a collaboration with Northrop Grumman to investigate the creation of networking defense equipment for integrated air defense systems. Through their teaming agreement, they plan to combine their unique technologies to improve networking efficiency, with the ultimate objective of establishing a system that links integrated air defense systems in the future. Mitsubishi aims to enhance Japan's national security by delivering sophisticated air defense systems and advancing interoperability.