The development of robots and robotic technology requires the mastery of multiple disciplines – primarily software development, mechanical and electrical engineering. Designing robots is made even more difficult by real-time collaboration constraints. Solution providers have responded to these challenges by providing a host of robotics development, simulation and testing tools, as well as Software as a Solution (SaaS) platforms, to dramatically simplify the job of designing, and manufacturing robots. This session will provide an overview of current product design trends, robotics development solutions and tips to empower innovators and robot experts including:

• SaaS Product Development Platform
• Simulation / Testing Tools
• Designing and collaborating in a Hybrid Workforce
• Conclusions and Recommendations

Speakers:

• Greg Brown, Onshape Product Management Fellow, PTC
• Peter Ahn, VP of Engineering, Avidbots

Commercial robotic systems typically require multiple types of sensors to capture information about the physical world, which following fusion and further processing allows them localize themselves, navigate while avoiding obstacles, and provide additional information. The number, type, and quality of the onboard sensors vary depending on the price and target application for the platform. Common sensor types include 2D / 3D imaging sensors (cameras), 1D and 2D laser rangefinders, 2D and 3D sonar sensors, 3D High Definition LiDAR, accelerometers, GPS and more. Thankfully, solution providers continue to release low-cost, increasingly powerful products, and new sensing technologies are always emerging. In this panel session, attendees will learn of the latest advances in sensing products and technologies, including use cases highlighting important trends and examples of the latest sensing trends and techniques. Speaker:

• Mark Davidson, Chief Revenue Officer, DreamVu

‘Motion’ in the physical world, whether in the form of changing place, position or posture, is perhaps the greatest differentiator between robotic systems and all other classes of engineered products. It is motion is that makes robotics systems ‘robotic’, and it is advances in motion control technologies that have spurred robotics innovation, with the result that there has been a dramatic increase in the use of robotics technologies and products around the globe. In this Robotics Engineering Week session, attendees will learn how support for robotic motion control has improved with the introduction of new products and technologies, and how they allow for new capabilities, new applications, and entry into new markets. Case studies and product examples will be used to highlight salient points. Topics include:

• Motion and Movement
• Motion Control Products and Technologies
• Robotic Motion Control Trends
• Applications and Vertical Markets
  • Solutions / Opportunities for Manufacturing
  • Solutions / Opportunities for Logistics / Supply Chain
  • Solutions / Opportunities for Healthcare Robotics
  • Solutions / Opportunities for Construction Robotics
  • Solutions / Opportunities for Agricultural Robotics
  • Solutions / Opportunities for Exoskeleton Solutions

Speakers:

• Jonathan Dougherty, Business Development Manager, Heidenhain Corporation
• Prabh Gowrisankaran, VP Engineering and Strategy, Performance Motion Devices, Inc
• Bob Mullins, Vice President of Sales, Harmonic Drive

Design, engineering and manufacturing services providers play a critical role in the production of robotics technologies and products. The services they provide range from the short term and tactical, to longer client engagements requiring deep domain expertise and end-to-end solutions involving co-innovation and shared financial risk. In this session, attendees will learn about the wide variety of services offerings that are available for creating and manufacturing robotics technologies and products, as well as provider selection criteria, business models and service agreement options. Case studies will be used to highlight critical points.

Speaker:

• Matt Wicks, Director of Robotics, Celestica

Healthcare robotics share many areas of technical commonality with electrically powered medical devices, as well as the common goal of improving patient care. A key difference, however, is that for all robotics systems, motion and movement in physical world is expected and required. For robots, motion (and motional control) is presumed and definitional. As such, motion control technologies and techniques are central considerations for any robotics engineering initiative. Compared to industrial and consumer motion control technologies, motion control solutions for healthcare applications typically have different, and often very stringent, functional requirements in areas such as safety, reliability, tolerances, cleanability, sterilization and more. In this Robotics Engineering Week session, attendees will learn about the leading functional requirements and critical capabilities of motion control solutions for healthcare robotics applications.

Speakers:

• Prabh Gowrisankaran, VP Engineering and Strategy, Performance Motion Devices, Inc
• Dan Kara, VP of Robotics, WTWH Media

How do we cross the chasm so that mobile robots are adopted widely? The systems themselves have proven to be effective, productive capabilities enhancers. But the complexity and cost of integrating hardware and software stacks (especially for autonomous, mobile robots) has limited the availability of mobile robots to only larger companies who have in-house robotics expertise or can afford to bring in technical assistance. In this session, ifm Efector's Garrett Place and Lola Masson will discuss ways to simplify and speed the integration of multiple forms of HW and SW, thereby making mobile robots available for wide-scale adoption by smaller OEMs and end users.

Speakers:

• Garrett Place, Business Development, Robotics Perception, ifm Efector
• Lola Masson, Software Engineer, Robotics Perception, ifm Efector