YuMi robot works safely with humans

Launched by ABB at Hannover Messe in Germany, the YuMi dual-arm industrial robot is able to work collaboratively on the same tasks with humans while still ensuring the safety of those around it.

The robot can operate in very close collaboration with humans thanks to its inherently safe design. It has a lightweight yet rigid magnesium skeleton covered with a floating plastic casing wrapped in soft padding to absorb impacts. It is also compact, with human dimensions and human movements, which makes human co-workers feel safe and comfortable.

BCG Research predicts that by 2025, adoption of advanced robots will boost productivity by up to 30% in many industries and lower total labour costs by 18% or more in countries such as South Korea, China, the US, Japan and Germany.

ABB says the robot signals a new era of robotic co-workers. “YuMi makes collaboration between humans and robots a reality,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer.

“It is the result of years of research and development, and will change the way humans and robots interact. YuMi is an element of our Internet of Things, Services and People strategy creating an automated future together.”

While the robot was specifically designed to meet the flexible and agile production needs of the consumer electronics industry, it has equal application in any small parts assembly environment thanks to its dual arms, flexible hands, universal parts feeding system, camera-based part location, lead-through programming and precise motion control.

If the robot senses an unexpected impact, such as a collision with a co-worker, it can pause its motion within milliseconds, and the motion can be restarted again as easily as pressing play on a remote control. It also has no pinch points so that nothing sensitive can be harmed as the axes open and close.