[Thinker Co., Ltd.] Proximity sensor TK-01 received the “11th Robot Awards Excellence Award”
*Thinker Co., Ltd.*
Press release: September 18, 2024
**
Proximity sensor TK-01 wins the 11th Robot Awards Excellence Award *Evaluated on “automation of tasks that robots are not good at”, “dexterous and high-speed picking”, “clarity of social needs”, etc.* “Proximity sensor TK-” developed and sold by Thinker Co., Ltd. (pronounced: Thinker, head office: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director and CEO: Hiromichi Fujimoto, hereinafter referred to as “Thinker”), which is working on robot innovation with “robot hands that think with your fingertips.” 01″ won the Excellence Award (element technology category) at the 11th Robot Awards.
The Robot Award is a system that recognizes particularly outstanding robots, parts, software, their advanced utilization, research and development, and human resource development efforts, with the aim of promoting the development of Japanese robot technology and expanding the use of robots. , Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, General Incorporated Association
It is co-sponsored by the Japan Machinery Federation, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
This award is based on the 3D vision sensor’s ability to automate tasks that robots are not good at even with cameras (irregular, irregularly shaped objects, bulk stacking). The technology was highly praised for its advantages in being able to achieve dexterous, high-speed picking at a low cost without using a hand, as well as the fact that it has clear social needs and is an advanced, unique, and competitive technology (*) .
At the award ceremony held at Tokyo Big Sight on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Mr. Koyama, an assistant professor at Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering Science, who has been promoting elemental research on proximity sensors for 10 years, and a director of our company. Keisuke and Representative Director and CEO Hiromichi Fujimoto attended.
With this award as a springboard, Thinker will continue to actively work to expand the number of sites where proximity sensors are being introduced, which have already begun to be used in mass production processes.
A demonstration was held at the exhibition “Japan Robot Week” where the award ceremony was held. Please come and visit us.
Date: Wednesday, September 18, 2024 – Friday, September 20, 2024 Location: Tokyo Big Sight (Our booth: East 6 Hall J-39)
Exhibition official URL: https://autumnfair.nikkan.co.jp/
*11th Robot Awards “Evaluation Points”
Even if a camera is used, it automates tasks that robots are not good at (irregular, irregularly shaped objects, bulk stacking), and does not use expensive and slow processing 3D vision sensors, but with this proximity sensor, it is possible to do it at a low cost. It has the advantage of being able to achieve dexterous and high-speed picking, and can be expected to have a wide range of applications when combined with other sensors and flexible fingers. Its greatest strength is that it uses 2 x 2 infrared emitting/receiving elements to extract features of spatial patterns of infrared reflection intensity and uses AI (machine learning) to measure the position and orientation of objects. The social needs are clear, and the technology is advanced, unique, and competitive.
(From the 11th Robot Awards website)
■Proximity sensor TK-01
A sensor using a new method provided by Thinker. This is a sensor that can quickly and non-contact grasp the position and shape of objects using unique high-speed, high-resolution sensing that combines infrared rays and AI without using a camera. This makes it possible to handle mirror-surfaced and transparent materials, which were considered difficult for conventional industrial robots, and to pick up items on a case-by-case basis depending on the site environment, dramatically expanding the possibilities of picking using robot hands. Masu. Furthermore, since the time and labor required for teaching (the process of teaching robots to perform tasks) can be significantly reduced, it is expected that robot hands will be used in new areas.
○Proximity sensor TK-01 introduction video (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/9ngE1IxFgHw
〇Video of the gripping unit following a moving object by sensing it (YouTube):
■Company overview
Name: Thinker Co., Ltd.
Address: 6F-188, Osaka Center Building, 4-1-3 Kutaro-cho, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka 541-0056
Representative: Representative Director and CEO Hiromichi Fujimoto Established: August 2022
Company description:
We sell the “proximity sensor” developed by Assistant Professor Keisuke Koyama (director of our company) at the Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, and propose solutions using this product. By equipping robots with the ability to think on their own to make decisions based on the situation, we will revolutionize the world of collaborative robots that work alongside humans. URL: https://www.thinker-robotics.co.jp/
Note: The company name Thinker embodies the ideas of “a group that thinks things through,” “a robot that thinks,” and “accelerates the evolution of robots.”
■Related links
・Infrared proximity sensor that brings about “innovation in hands” and opens up possibilities for industrial robots
(MONOist October 19, 2023)
https://monoist.itmedia.co.jp/mn/articles/2310/05/news002.html
・Started development of next-generation robot hand that “thinks and grasps with your fingertips”
(PRTIMES July 31, 2023)
*
・Thinker overcomes crisis caused by parts shortage and begins mass production of proximity sensors
(Nikkei Crosstech May 18, 2023)
https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/column/18/01537/00809/
・Sixth sense sensor that compensates for blind spots during operation, and unique hardware and AI that do not miss transparent objects (Nikkei Crosstech September 13, 2022)
https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/column/18/02183/00002/
・“Proximity sensor” developed by Assistant Professor Koyama of Osaka University, a “sixth sense” that supplements robots’ visual and tactile senses
(Nikkei Crosstech February 28, 2022)
https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/mag/nmc/18/00011/00158/
・Keisuke Koyama official website
https://kk-hs-sa.website/
■Inquiries to Thinker Co., Ltd.
Email: info-web[at]thinker-robotics.co.jp
*Please replace [at] with @.
Please enter your company name in the subject line, contact
information [(1) corporate name, (2) department, (3) name, (4) email address, (5) company URL] and inquiry details in the body, then send. please.
Official website: https://www.thinker-robotics.co.jp/
**