Siemens, Universal Robots, and Zivid Tackle Intralogistics Fulfillment
Three major players in vision systems and robotics have teamed up to produce a highly accurate and dynamic robot-picking system for the logistics and e-commerce industry.
Siemens, Universal Robots, and Zivid have joined together to create a robotic system that can pick virtually any object without human intervention. The solution was designed to tackle challenges faced in the logistics and e-commerce industry.
Siemens, Universal Robots, and Zivid have combined their technologies to create an intralogistics fulfillment solution. Image used courtesy of Universal Robots
Logistics and E-Commerce
Websites like Amazon utilize medium to small warehouses worldwide to facilitate faster shipping. These satellite warehouses are often referred to as fulfillment centers and can handle order picking, shipping, and receiving of products for local customers. Logistics refers to moving products from one location to another, while intralogistics refers to moving products within the warehouse.
Automating intralogistics can be difficult because products are typically stored in many different shapes and sizes on shelves. A fulfillment center might service an online bookstore and an online seed store. These items are stored in very different containers with many different product types. For this reason, humans typically pick items to fulfill an order.
The intralogistics solution combines Universal Robots' UR cobot, Siemens' SIMATIC Robot Pick AI, and Zivid's 2+ M130 camera. Image used courtesy of Universal Robots
Intralogistics Fulfillment Solution
To solve the challenges of automating intralogistics, Siemens, Universal Robots, and Zivid have developed an intralogistics fulfillment solution that can pick items regardless of shape, size, opacity, or transparency. In an industry that thrives on having as many different types of products available to its customers as possible, having a system capable of dynamically picking different parts allows shorter shipping times, reduced error, and happy customers. The system is made up of three technologies: Universal Robots' UR cobot, Zivid's 2+ M130 camera, and Siemens' SIMATIC Robot Pick AI.
Universal Robots UR Cobot
Universal Robots’ UR20, with a reach of up to 1750 mm and a maximum payload of 20 kg, has been used in demonstrations for the companies’ project. Universal Robots, Siemens, and Zivid’s solution is, however, designed to work with any UR cobot.
Zivid’s 2+ M130 combines 2D and 3D camera technology to deliver highly accurate and speedy order picking. Image used courtesy of Zivid
Zivid 2+ M130 Camera
3D cameras give robots the ability to see much like humans do. Bin-picking applications require the ability to see not only the shape but also the depth of the object. The Zivid 2+ M130 was specifically designed for fulfillment automation and intralogistics. It has a 5 Mpx RGB resolution, a working range of 80 to 200 cm, and is fully equipped with Zivid Omni Engine, a patented 3D capture technology.
Siemens’ SIMATIC Robot Pick AI
Adding a vision system to a robot allows for dynamic positioning of the end effector. Many applications use vision-guided robots to pick parts from a bin or off a moving conveyor belt. While the camera plays an important role in these applications, the software determines the location and whether or not the object can be picked. The SIMATIC Robot Pick AI is deep learning-based vision software capable of determining pick locations on objects with vacuum grippers. The decisions are made entirely within the software and without human interaction or CAD models.
Reliable Robotic Picking
When combined, the companies’ three technologies make up an accurate and reliable order-picking solution. The solution is currently being displayed at tradeshows and will be featured at Hannover Messe (April 22-26) and Chicago's Automate (May 6-9).
