The world of production has a need for integrated and intelligent solutions, as its future is flexible and will evolve based on continually changing needs. Omron, a leading company in the sector of production automation, has launched a system wherein algorithms are integrated in a machine’s control system to create a structure that optimizes the set-up directly on the machine. The adaptive AI controller learns how to distinguish the functional mechanism of each machine in the line. Thanks to the AI controller within the production, the information gained though previous experiences are used to refine and optimize further down the entire production process.

“The main idea was to integrate a robot directly into the production line,” explains Marco Spimpolo, regional marketing manager for Italy and Germany. The sectors of application go from automotive equipment assembly to the social system. This is mainly applied in Japan, where the electronic mobility involves traffic organization, subways and railway handling, up to the industrial automation that still generates 50% of the 6 billion € of total turnover, 160 million of which in Italy.

This is a company that always puts innovation in the center of business. “AI, robotics and IoT touch every area of our lives. Nowadays robots are present in industrial automation. Omron counts on this industrial process. However, it is certain that robots will move out of the factory and into civilian life. In Japan, robots are already taking care of the elderly. It is a fairly new process, and we must wait and see the reaction from Western countries; that said, this evolution of AI is unavoidable.” This is not a harmful change, however – robots are not taking away jobs, contrary to what many might think. “Robots add values to specific skills and competencies, increasing efficiency and allowing humans to be more effective in their work. There is an issue of capabilities and advanced training, however. This is a problem in Italy and we need to find a solution. Institutions and academia must look forward and provide the right tools for a future which is already here.”