MISUMI Components in automation & robotics

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History of Robotics

Robots have become an integral part of today’s industry. It is easy to forget how far back the development of robotics goes. Isaac Asimov coined the term as far back as 1942 in his short story “Runaround”. Shortly afterwards, the first industrial robots were built in the 50s.  Considering that the first documented experiments with machines took place in ancient times, the idea of letting these machines work autonomously is still at its infancy.

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Trending: Swarm Robotics

Insects as robotic role models

The worsening skills shortage makes it clear: Robots are becoming indispensable in many branches. In a popular robotics trend, scientists are taking a cue from the animal world: Researchers are recognizing increasing potential in swarm robotics.

Similar to the work structure of ants and bees, this type of group robotics is based on swarm intelligence. Here, simple and clear instructions are assigned to each individual system, which it executes in cooperation with other individual systems. It is only through this cooperation of many individual robots that a complex, efficient overall performance is created.

The special thing about swarm robots is the way they interact and communicate with each other and their environment. There are no hierarchical systems that take over or control the actions and planning of the robots. The robots divide among themselves and decide individually which action to perform next.

Trending: Cobots and Exoskeletons

Bionic approaches for Cobots and Exoskelette - When man and machine work together

A few years ago, collaborative robots (cobots) and exoskeletons were still a dream in the future. Nowadays, it is hard to imagine industry without supporting technologies.

In Germany, the industry is focusing on new solutions for collaborative robotics. Successful collaboration between humans and robots depends on the exchange of information between these two players. A bionic approach is intended to give cobots, for example, the ability to feel using soft robotics, which will making exchanging information easier. This opens up the possibility of a special tactile sensor skin, which enables the robot to interact with humans through contact. The project is still in its infancy. But depending on its success, it could pave the way for many additional application areas for cobots.

With cobots, however, movement space remains largely separate. With exoskeletons, these boundaries no longer exist and the exoskeleton becomes an extension or reinforcement of the human body. A breakthrough is also on the horizon here. The exoskeleton will then always provide exactly the support that the wearer needs. The technology could not only be used for heavy-duty work, but could also literally help physically impaired people back on their feet.

The continuous development of technologies such as these paves the way for even more efficient solutions to sustainably improve working conditions in industry and many other aspects of our society. In addition to innovative ideas, this also requires precise, high-quality components. With our components, we would like to continue to support the industry in realising these machines.

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