BARA webinar sees positive interest in AMR/AGV futures

Experts in the fields of Automation and Robotics came together to answer questions on the future and use of autonomous mobile robots (AMR).

Experts in the fields of Automation and Robotics came together to answer questions on the future and use of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and autonomous guided vehicles (AGV) at the BARA webinar on 15 November 2022.

PPMA editor Gail Hunt, from Machinery Update was chair of the event which was attended by over 250 visitors. The expert panelists were:

• Ross Lacey, Mobile Robot Product Manager | RARUK Automation Ltd
• Paul Smith, Product Manager, Mobile Robotics & Automation | RM Group
• Matt Rollins, AMR Manager | ABB Robotics UK
• George Brown, Team Leader – Applications & Solutions (Robotics, Safety & Vision) | OMRON
• Andy Macfadyen, Head of Robot Strategy | Iconsys

The panelists, all from organisations that specialise in Robotics and Automation began with questions that laid out ‘what is an AMR and AVG and what are the differences.’ Along with ‘where could you use an AMR, and what are its limitations.’ Once these definitions had been established the group were able to delve deeper into more far reaching issues. One being:

‘What will the modern factory look like in the next 20 years? Fully automated with only maintenance staff?’

Ross Lacey from RARUK was able to point out that that although Automation is the future a lot still depended on other factors, for example in the case of a pallet moving robot what is the condition of the (wooden) pallet and will it have to move beyond the factory floor to go outside; as these problems impact on how Robotics interact with the work force and the product.

The whole panel were in agreement with regards to the current limitations of AMR/AGV; but reiterated that new innovations and breakthroughs were happening all the time meaning and that the autonomous and robotic landscape could be much more advanced in five years’ time.

George Brown made a good point that Automation wins the day when it comes to repetition and fleet purchase. Robotics can be used to fill the mundane and continuous side of the production line, enabling the organisation to invest in more skilled human elements in other areas.

Andy Macfadyen commented on the safety aspects of AMR; ‘it needs the right integration and approach which is nothing new from a machinery install perspective. AMR needs to be approached in a safe way from the start.’ Matt Rollins continued, ‘there are a lot of negative things around safety that we accept as the norm, automation and robotics offer an alternative to bad and non-documented safety practices.’

The webinar discussion was in full flow after fifty minutes with a lot of interaction with the live online audience. Numerous questions were submitted including ‘How do we tackle this social scepticism that hurts so much autonomous systems.’ And ‘Why are the designers of hardware/sites, content to keep going at the pace they were in 2012?’  - the full questions and answers can be found on the website along with the webinar rewind here.