Mitsubishi Electric says it has developed a cloud-based predictive maintenance solution for robots that utilises the AI platform within IBM Watson. The platform uses predictive maintenance models, digital simulation and extrapolation of trends to provide maintenance information based on actual usage and wear characteristics.
Communications between the robot and the user via the cloud are two-way, which the company says provides the basis for voice control of the robot. Maintenance activities can be optimised through the use of smart glasses, where the operator receives guidance on what tasks need to be performed. The glasses can also show CAD drawings of the various robot parts, superimposed over the robot itself and the maintenance manual and individual instructions.
