New Innovation Lab proactively demonstrates the benefits of robots in manufacturing

05 November, 2018

We have opened a new Innovation Lab at our UK headquarters in Milton Keynes. The lab, which represents an investment of £600,000 with a creation of five new jobs, is set to demonstrate how robots can be a boon to the UK manufacturing industry, as well as providing customers with a realistic overview of how robots can enhance their own individual applications.

Manufacturers across the UK are enthusiastic about the potential of robots to increase productivity and as a solution to the current industry-wide labour shortage. But, at the same time, they are reluctant to make a substantial initial capital investment without assurance that it will provide a definite ROI for their own unique application.

Our robotics innovation lab provides those customers with a ‘proof-of-concept’ demonstration that will replicate their application in every conceivable detail prior to making any financial commitment.

Through the lab, we can showcase our complete portfolio of industrial robots, including SCARA, 6-Axis and high-speed Delta robots for handling goods in the production line. As well as fixed robots, Omron’s Autonomous Intelligent Vehicles are also incorporated in the innovation lab. AIV’s are capable of independently transferring raw materials and products between different production cells and loading and unloading machines, allowing manufacturers to deploy personnel onto more productive tasks.

While officially opening the lab on Wednesday 17th October, The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Martin Petchey commented: “Omron’s new Robotic Innovation Lab will help local businesses and residents by providing employment and training opportunities, and above all help Milton Keynes to become a leading city in the field of Artificial Intelligence and the fourth industrial revolution. Our aim is to be a smart city, so it’s great to celebrate this well established local business which is making AI technology accessible to all.”

As well as featuring the latest robotics technology, the lab highlights how the robots can integrate with Omron’s other products for sensing, control and motion, as well as the company’s Cloud connected and AI-controlled management systems, to provide a complete manufacturing control solution. The proof-of-concept will also go beyond the manufacturing process to show how our products can enhance the efficiency of other production areas, such as packaging and the distribution of materials.

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  New Innovation Lab proactively demonstrates the benefits of robots in manufacturing

  Omron has opened a new Innovation Lab at the company’s UK headquarters in Milton Keynes. The lab is set to demonstrate how robots can be a boon to the UK manufacturing industry, as well as providing customers with a realistic overview of how robots can enhance their own individual applications.

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