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Techman promotes AI robots as post-pandemic demand rises

Aaron Lee, Taipei; Jack Wu, DIGITIMES Asia 0

Techman Robot, a Taiwan-based provider of collaborative robots (cobot), will promote its new AI-capable robots and is gearing up for post-pandemic business opportunities, according to company chairman Shi-chi Ho.

Ho pointed out that besides the pandemic, the US-China tensions for the past two years also had an influence. More and more suppliers have taken to the trend of decentralizing their production locations, which has benefited the introduction of automated equipment such as cobots.

As more and more suppliers join the cobot market, one needs to find its market positioning. Techman has redefined the future cobot by combining it with AI. The AI cobot has Techman's self-developed AI visual solution and built-in smart visual system.

In the past, Techman either sold its robots and software separately, or clients would purchase the robots first and then select the options themselves. Now, Techman provides the robots and the AI software to clients in their entirety with no extra costs. Through the company's self-developed software, the connection with the robots can be done more seamlessly. Clients also no longer need to purchase and assemble the robots themselves, saving them resources and time.

In addition, Techman has also expanded its robot production lines, adding one with a bearing capacity of 25 KG to the previous lines of 5, 12, and 14 KG. This capacity is suitable for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that carry heavy wafer cassettes. This series has also enhanced the work safety for human-machine collaboration, being a cobot arm with an industry-leading 31 safety certifications, said the company.

In response to applications in all kinds of industrial environments, a newly developed teach pendant is launched to make teaching and deploying robots easier and faster. Besides hardware equipment upgrades, Techman's human-machine interface (HMI) TMflow has also been fully upgraded to 2.0. It provides a more instinctive operating experience, quickly assisting the client to create cobot solutions for their demands.

Techman showcased its cobot arm equipped with a native AI engine and smart vision at the Automation Taipei exhibition. The showcase featured practical cases in the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing sectors, as well as a smart welding application.

For semiconductors, Techman demonstrated that the integration of AI, cobot, and 2D+3D visuals can quickly assist in the precise identification and placement of the wafers, drastically decreasing the time and cost.

As with the smart welding application, it helps the user fulfill their welding needs for different shapes of components. It is directly controlled through the interface of the arm, overcoming the limits of traditional welding robots. With a visual aid to identify the locations, it can more quickly and instinctively teach the welding points and trails.

Photo: Techman Robot chairman Shi-chi Ho pointed out that cobots will regain growth momentum post-pandemic. Credit: DIGITIMES

Techman Robot chairman Shi-chi Ho
Photo: DIGITIMES Asia, August 2022