Robots Plugging Cables? | Micropsi Industries

Automation has many advantages and is at times the only solution for manufacturers. But what if manufacturing steps have too many variances? This also applies to the handling of cables. Even in highly automated industries, the task is still performed manually. Micropsi industries' robot control system MIRAI is now changing this and is reliably automating manual workstations for the first time.

For cost and quality reasons or due to a lack of skilled staff, more and more manufacturing companies are eliminating manual tasks. But even in highly automated industries such as the automotive or electronics sector, there are still plenty of manual workstations. The reason: Variances make production steps unpredictable and automation impossible or very expensive. Many activities in manufacturing involve variance, whether it is due to varying positions or properties of workpieces, changing parts on production lines, or unpredictable environmental conditions such as lighting. While humans are good at dealing with variances, they are a great challenge for industrial robots. The AI-based controller MIRAI from Micropsi Industries now provides a reliable solution.

Robot vs. Variance

Variances also occur in the handling of cables. Gripping, guiding as well as plugging and unplugging cables is not possible for conventional automation solutions. Cables – whether cable harnesses, power, data, or others - are characterized by a high degree of flexibility and form instability: They are bendable, change their shape as soon as they are moved, and must be precisely positioned and guided with the right force to be connected correctly. In production, moreover, the position of cables is not always predictable: even hanging from the air, cables must be gripped or inserted.

For humans, it's easy: They see where the cable is, how it bends and can continuously adapt their movement to the target when gripping and guiding. To be able to deal with variances in production, robots need one thing above all: hand-eye coordination.

AI Based Robot Control System Automates Cable Plugging

The AI-based controller MIRAI from Micropsi Industries enables robots to perceive their environment and react to it in real time. Using machine learning and simple camera input, MIRAI controlled robots learn to deal with variances. This enables automation of manual tasks. Instead of programming the robot, it is trained by human demonstration in just a few hours.

Thanks to MIRAI, robots learn for the first time how to handle unstable objects such as cables: how to grasp them, guide them, and plug and unplug them, even when they are hanging freely in space. The AI reliably identifies the cable head and securely inserts the cable even if the position of the socket differs. The system is trained in just a few minutes or hours and can be adapted for other activities in short time. It proves to be a true multifunctional tool. From leak testing to picking reflective workpieces to assembly despite variances: AI and robotics are tapping into limitless automation in diverse industries.

Automated Cable Plugging in video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4YUDlFlPQQ&t=1s