The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) selected Realtime Robotics for its government subsidy program to expand the use of industrial robots and promote the standardization of system integrator operations. Realtime is focused on industrial robot programming for collision-free autonomous motion planning, and the JETRO program will help Realtime expand its work with robotics simulation software and multi-robot applications.
JETRO is a government-related organization that works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small- to medium-sized Japanese firms maximize their global export potential.
Two specific Realtime partners and projects will be part of the JETRO program to start. Realtime Robotics is working with Fanuc on a plug-in, enabling Realtime’s robot programming and motion control software, RapidPlan, to be operated directly within Fanuc’s simulation software, Roboguide.
The plug-in will allow users to configure a Roboguide, including the layout, robot selection and end-of-arm tooling, and then transfer it directly to RapidPlan. Realtime said this makes it possible for users to send the sequenced list of positions necessary for robots to complete an application, which RapidPlan can then use to calculate optimal collision-free paths for the robots to execute. Realtime said this eliminates the need for manual analysis of robot motion paths, which are traditionally required to avoid collisions by inserting waypoints or robot-to-robot interlocks in different parts of the program.
Component manufacturer Denso is evaluating how Realtime Robotics’ RapidPlan can improve its in-house flexible production units. Denso’s multi-robot cell product, DX-CELL, helps manufacturers accommodate an increasing amount of variable product needs by making it easier to change the robot layout as needed. Denso expects that with RapidPlan, completing robot programming for DX-CELL will be easier and faster.
Denso and Realtime will also explore a collaboration on additional applications for multi-robot assembly, and inspection and bin picking.
As part of the JETRO program, Realtime Robotics can accelerate its development of robotics applications that are easier and faster to deploy. Realtime wants to change how robots and autonomous vehicles move, generating collision-free motion plans in milliseconds. Its products feature risk-aware driving, high-productivity multi-robot workcells and automated robot vision that continuously calibrates itself.
