Universal Robots launches AI Accelerator kit to enhance cobot innovation

Universal Robots, a prominent Danish developer of collaborative robots (cobots), has introduced a new AI Accelerator kit, which promises to herald a new era of AI-powered cobot innovations. This ready-to-use toolkit, announced recently, aims to provide developers with a comprehensive hardware and software platform for creating AI-infused applications, thus facilitating faster research advancements and reducing the time-to-market for AI technologies.

The AI Accelerator kit is integrated with UR’s PolyScope X software platform and leverages Nvidia’s sophisticated technology to enhance its functionality. It utilises Nvidia’s Isaac accelerated libraries and AI models, powered by an Nvidia Jetson AGX Orin system-on-module, enabling accelerated performance and the incorporation of AI technology into robotics applications. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Orbbec Gemini 335Lg 3D camera offers advanced imaging capabilities.

Key features of the AI Accelerator kit include capabilities for pose estimation, tracking, object detection, path planning, image classification, quality inspection, and state detection, among others. This versatility empowers developers by allowing them the autonomy to select their preferred toolsets, programming languages, and libraries, thus offering the flexibility to design custom programmes tailored to specific needs.

Kim Povlsen, the president and CEO of Universal Robots, highlighted the comprehensive nature of the kit, stating that it equips their partners with necessary tools to innovate and deploy groundbreaking AI solutions. “We are already a leading platform for bringing AI cobot applications to market, and now we are pushing the boundaries even further,” Povlsen noted during the announcement.

James Davidson, Chief AI Officer at Teradyne Robotics, the parent company of Universal Robots, emphasised the strategic importance of this development. He remarked that the AI Accelerator is designed to significantly reduce the time required for deployment while minimising the risks associated with developing AI-based solutions. Davidson also hinted at future innovations, stating that this kit is the first in a series of AI-powered products aimed at making robotics more accessible.

The AI Accelerator was showcased in a CNC machine-tending application at a recent gathering of robot software developers in Odense, Denmark, where Universal Robots is headquartered. This demonstration provided a practical example of the kit’s capabilities, highlighting its potential impact on various industrial applications.

Universal Robots remains at the forefront of robotic innovation, continuously enhancing the possibilities for AI integration in robotics. The launch of the AI Accelerator kit represents a significant step in the evolution of collaborative robotics, likely paving the way for more sophisticated AI-driven applications in the industry.

Source: Noah Wire Services