Software Centralizes Robotic Cell Control

Rethink Robotics offers Intera 5, a software platform that connects an entire robot cell from a single robot controller to simplify automation and ease deployment. Built on train-by-demonstration software, Intera 5 is designed to facilitate deployment of full work-cell automation in hours rather than weeks. The software is also said to improve work cell coordination and increase flexibility. Through the controller, manufacturers can orchestrate conveyors, equipment and other machines from a central robot.

According to the company, one customer was able to deploy and train six robots for three machines in a little more than an hour after less than one day of training. These robots run 24 hours per day, six days per week, and they are capable of complex logic that minimizes the need for human interaction and frees employees for more value-added activities, the company says.

The platform leverages embedded vision to enable the robot to perform tasks just like people and to reduce the need for special fixturing and other typical integration costs. Adaptive force sensing enables users to precisely set the amount of force required, or enable the robot to feel and respond adaptively to specific force levels while performing a task.

Intera 5 is available for download on all existing Sawyer robots and will come standard on all new robots.