The Augmant

Cobotics in the Australian Context

Collaborative Robots (known as cobots) are robots designed for direct use and interaction alongside humans. They are able to be applied in any industry with repetitive, labour-intensive tasks. A major benefit of cobots is their ability to replace multiple one-use industrial robotics through quick reprogramming and portability. This is achieved whilst still providing the efficiency and output benefits seen by traditional industrial robotics.

Despite these benefits, cobots have not yet been widely adopted in the Australian manufacturing industry. A major reason for this is a lack of expertise and skills in the current workforce. This skills deficit is then further exacerbated by a low supply of intuitive application solutions (developed and sold by third-party companies) – making the skill barrier for this technology seemingly unattainable. This is where The Augmant sees to make a change.

More On Cobots

a more approachable cobotic system

Currently, most cobots only come equipped with a programming tablet called a “Teach Pendant” (blue and grey tablet seen in the photo above), which acts as the sole interaction method for users. This leaves a lot of development up to cobotic application companies, if they seek to improve the system and make it more appealing, user-friendly, and approachable for end users.

An example of this is Hirebotics in the U.S., a cobotic application company specialising in cobotic welding. In order to make the Universal Robots cobot they purchased, more intuitive and user-friendly for the welders, they created:
– A highly specialised welding attachment with interface
– Their own app which completely replaces the need for the Teach Pendant
– A separate control panel for easier access to important inputs

Whilst this system allows for faster, more approachable learning and general use, it is not something that can be easily or quickly replicated by multiple companies. As a result, The Augmant has been developed to increase how intuitive and approachable a base cobot is. This aims to provide cobotic application businesses with a system that enables them to focus more on the application-specific additions, and less on user-experience areas. In turn, the cobotic application business will be more apparent, increasing competition and quality of robotic systems, which will allow for greater adoption.

Designed for cOLLABORATION

Once the cobot has been placed into a “simulation mode”, The Augmant takes Teach Pendants inputs and displays the results on the screen, through the use of augmented-reality. This simulation allows for rapid iteration, testing and validation of inputs without the risk of injury, damage, or waste. This functionality is integrated within an open, curved screen for all workers to see. This collaborative learning increases the value of these proposed self-led training sessions, whilst also passively developing important interpersonal skills.

Collaboration is further enabled by The Augmants ability to be placed anywhere that is suitable for viewing. This can be achieved through a simple stand, standing The Augmant upright, holding it, or use of threaded inserts on the back. These threaded inserts open up the possibility for application-specific mechanisms to be developed, allowing for the best viewing angles in all cobotic application contexts.

Designed for comfort

The Augmant’s distinctive curve has been designed to create a natural field of view when looking at the screen. However, a secondary purpose is to allow for a more comfortable grip that conforms to the user’s hands. This is then unified with large curves around the sides and a unique thumb grip to produce a device that is easy to hold and move around, despite its relatively large size.

The augmant