The augmented robotic cell: design and implementation of a testing cell that incorporates mixed reality and iot

Abstract

Mixed Reality (MR) has the potential to be one of the key technologies aligned with the Industry 4.0 principles that many companies around the world are adopting. This technology, combined with the Internet of Things and the enhanced capabilities introduced by the Cyber-Physical Systems, can contribute to building a collaborative industrial environment. The integration of these concepts represents a new tool to improve and accelerate human-machine communication through digitalization and the connectivity between devices. Currently, many of the equipment employed within the Manufacturing Industry demand a minimum level of knowledge and experience for them to be used. In some cases, this can lead to the specialization of workers, which can have some advantages like reducing human error and operation time. However, this can also decrease the worker’s flexibility for performing different tasks or using other equipment than the ones it is used to. Besides, the learning process is commonly time-consuming and costly, and the risk of errors is not entirely eradicated. MR technologies, especially Augmented Reality (AR), can solve this issue by creating a virtual environment that can be used for training purposes or guidance while performing different tasks. AR makes it possible to merge the real world with the digital world, providing digital tools that enhance the visualization of valuable and easy-to-understand information in real-time. This can provide feedback to the user so the process can be better understood and help identifying possible improvements and failures while ensuring a safer environment for the worker. Although being a technology with many possible benefits, it is relatively new and comes with limitations that are yet to be overcome before being fully exploited. Therefore, it is crucial to study the current state of this technology in terms of capabilities, the feasibility of its integration for industrial applications, and the expected performance in this environment. This research work aims to implement an Augmented Robotic Cell that integrates AR technology with IoT. The system is used to test a 3D printed Compliant Mechanism, obtain data from this process, and display important information in an MR environment in near real-time. The AR device is able to retrieve relevant information from the Physical System and display it to the user while allowing him to interact with it.