Intelligent, Interactive Integrated Roadmap the Industrial Future

Integrated technologies are key for interoperability

At Omron, we make sure that all our technologies are designed to work seamlessly together as complete, end-to-end factory automation solutions. This is important not just for mitigating the performance-hampering impact of using technologies from multiple platforms, but also for ensuring interoperability for our customers.

Automation customers are seeking greater levels of interoperability between devices comprising a total solution so that they can focus on their strengths of designing and producing products rather than managing the automated system. Omron robots and vision systems, for example, can be tied together with laser marking to simplify error proofing.

Integration will be a key driver of the factory of the future because it enables customers to pivot faster in response to changing consumer demand. Flexible manufacturing is more effective when technologies are fully integrated and modular.

Intelligent technologies help manufacturers make better business decisions

Recently, a lot of attention has been paid to “tribal knowledge” in manufacturing since the nuanced and qualitative know-how of experienced professionals nearing retirement is central to concerns about the industry’s labor shortage. With so many experienced manufacturing workers retiring all at once, it can be difficult to get new hires up to speed.

Intelligent automation devices can help solve this problem by aggregating and storing the knowledge that would otherwise go out the door with retirement-age professionals. Machine learning algorithms can recognize what constitutes abnormal machine behavior, allowing inexperienced workers to discover a potentially urgent issue and initiate repairs.

Machine learning also helps manufacturers make more informed decisions based on trends that even the most experienced workers might not see. In the factory of the future, autonomous systems will identify subtle trends, make informed decisions, and communicate these decisions to other devices without necessarily needing human input.

Interactive technologies improve usability and safety

Omron’s vision for the factory of the future rests heavily on the concept of harmony between humans and machines. In this view, intelligent devices aren’t meant to replace human workers, but rather to enhance their skillset by taking care of repetitive tasks, heavy lifting, and applications that involve hazardous materials and hard-to-reach areas.

Technologies that are designed to be interactive, like the Omron TM Series collaborative robot, include safety measures that let operators work alongside them without incident. These devices also have user-friendly features that allow even a new hire to easily set them up for a new application.

Interactive technologies are an essential component of a flexible, future-ready manufacturing environment because they make it easier for companies to accommodate changing market demands as well as the varying needs of their workforce.

Interested in learning more about Omron’s vision for the factory of the future?