Sales and support: The InDro Experience

Sales and support: The InDro Experience

Jul 26, 2024 | InDro News, Industry News, Robotics, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

We’ve all had them. Some unfamiliar number shows up on your phone, and the next thing you know someone is trying to pitch duct cleaning, a new cellular plan, or something else you likely don’t want or need.

You’ll never receive a call like that from us. For one thing, we don’t do duct cleaning (though we could probably build a robot capable of that). But there’s a bigger, more important reason. We cater – above all – to building a relationship with and satisfying the needs of the client. That’s both before we agree on a sale, and for long after the product is delivered.

While InDro is known for such ground-breaking stand-alone products as InDro Commander, the new InDro Cortex and InDro Controller, along with other platforms that enable researchers and R&D companies to build their own robots and drones with greater efficiency and simplicity, the bulk of our sales are custom products.

That means designing and building a robot or other device based on the specific needs and use-cases of the customer. Sometimes it’s a single, one-off design. But it could also be, as we recently reported, an entire fleet of custom robots for swarm research.

Regardless of the product or platform, the process nearly always begins with the first of many conversations with Luke Corbeth, our Head of R&D sales.

Below: Luke at a recent conference

Luke Corbeth

CORBY CAR CLEANERS

 

The story, or part of it, begins with a company called Corby Car Cleaners. “Corby” was Luke’s nickname in high school. An entrepreneur at heart, the prospect of working a traditional job didn’t appeal much. Corbeth wanted to learn about running his own business and was looking for the satisfaction that comes with building something from scratch. So he opened an on-demand car detailing business, where he’d show up at the client’s home and perform the service. How many people do you know that had the drive to start their own company in high school? (I can think of only one other; a friend who installed car stereos. I ran into him, decades later, at a CES show. His company was by then installing high-end systems – $100k+ – into cars owned by pro athletes, actors etc.)

“That was my way of building a basic business – doing sales and then actually executing the business,” he recalls.

With that – and high school – under his belt, Corbeth went to McGill University. Specifically, the prestigious Desautels Faculty of Management for a degree in Management. Corbeth had already shown a real knack for finance, which was part of the course. But he had the option of choosing specialisations. He was tremendously interested in technology – learning about AI, startups, the growing impact of other forms of tech – so he selected Digital Innovation as one of his tracks. But there was still another specialty he could select.

“I had something I was interested in (Digital Innovation), something I was good at (Finance) and something I felt I was missing,” he says. And that third piece of the puzzle?

“I didn’t understand the way operations are conducted. So I felt Operations Management was the missing piece; data science and understanding the optimal way to carry out operations. So that became the third piece of my arsenal.”

 

FROM CAR CLEANING TO WALL STREET

 

With his degree fresh in hand in 2019, Corbeth quickly landed two impressive jobs straight out of the gate. He did equity research at a hedge fund in New York, working to identify investment opportunities that the company referred to as having “material dislocation from fair value.” In other words, assets and stock that were undervalued. He also worked at a private real estate investment firm – which only had a single product to sell. He didn’t like that one much.

“When you have only one offering as a sales professional, it occasionally it feels like you’re trying to put a triangle into a circular hole – like you’re trying to force something upon someone.”

That wasn’t a fit for Corbeth. He was still drawn to technology; felt that was the future. Plus, something A McGill professor once said still resonated with him. It was along the lines of: ‘All the best investments in life, you need to be contrarian and right.’

“I was like, ‘Wow, that’s a very profound thought.’ Another way to think of that is: ‘You have to believe in a future that people don’t yet believe in, but will one day also believe in.’ And that’s what really attracted me to robotics,” he says.

“Sci-fi would suggest that it’s the future, but not everyone sees a future where robots are assistants to humans – carrying out useful and valuable tasks and doing the jobs we don’t want our kids to do. But I believe in that future, and I think people are going to want that future. And you know what? It’s becoming increasingly true.”

And then came the perfect fit: An opening for a sales professional at InDro Robotics in 2021.

“I was very excited at the prospect of joining the very field I was most interested in,” he says.

Below: Head of R&D Sales Luke Corbeth doing a public demo at the opening of Area X.O’s DARTT – the Drone and Advanced Robot Training and Testing facility 

 

 

THE INDRO EXPERIENCE

 

With this background, Corbeth had the perfect skill set – and passion – to take on sales with InDro Robotics. His keen interest in technology led him to quickly absorb everything possible when it came to sensors, compute capabilities, autonomy and more. But it was the chance to tailor something very specifically suited to the needs of a customer that truly appealed. He would never again be in a position of trying to put a triangle into a circular hole.

“What’s very unique about InDro Robotics is that because we take such a modular approach and we have so many partners and ways to bring solutions together, It feels like I always have the right shape to put in each hole – regardless of what shape it is.”

As mentioned, InDro most often builds completely custom robots for its clients. Corbeth is truly passionate about working with clients to fully understand their needs before even beginning to explore what options might be developed for them.

“The way I think about my job is this: People present a problem that they envision a solution for that requires uncrewed systems of some kind, whether that’s robots or drones. And I take it upon myself to thoroughly understand that problem and recommend all of the best available hardware and software at our disposal to solve that problem,” he says.

With rare exceptions, this isn’t just a simple phone call. Nor is it a process of simply ticking boxes for sensors, compute, platform etc. For Corbeth (and InDro), it’s the beginning of a relationship where together we explore every conceivable option to ensure that the client’s needs are met and their problem is solved. It generally starts with Corbeth sending a resource package to potential clients prior to any deeper conversation, so that they can fully understand InDro’s offerings, expertise, platforms, etc.

“The whole idea there is: Let’s identify the problem – and let’s identify the desired future. And since they’ve done their homework, ideally with the resources I’ve sent, then we can really dive into exactly what InDro Robotics can do specifically to get them there.”

This is a key part of the process.

“So the initial part of the conversation is always trying to understand the client’s desired future: What is it they’re actually trying to accomplish? And often times, just by talking it out with the client, I make discoveries about what they’re trying to do. They even make discoveries about what they’re trying to do. That’s always the first part: Thoroughly identifying the problem and what the ideal future should be.”

In some cases, for example, clients have come in looking for a wheeled platform, perhaps because they’ve seen a similar robot with wheels. But after further exploration of the use-case and terrain, they might together discover that a quadruped or tracked platform might be more suitable.

“If a client doesn’t know the existence of something, then it’s impossible for them to know that’s actually what they need,” he explains. “So part of my job is informing them of what is available, what is trending, what has been successful. It’s all about clarifying that problem and that vision for the future – and then seeing if we have something in the arsenal that can help get them there quickly.”

Below: Luke being interviewed at Area X.O’s DARTT

FROM PROBLEM TO SOLUTION

 

So then what happens?

Well, the second phase is seeing if there’s a fit. Can we provide what the client is seeking? Usually, of course, the answer is yes.

“With all that is available to us, can we offer something that meets their budget, meets their timeline, meets all of the project requirements so that we can help them achieve this future they’re seeking?”

This is something we really want to nail down.

“Sometimes in sales, companies will say: ‘Yes, my solution can solve every problem’ – and that’s not always the case. So if it makes sense to refer them to an adjacent providers outside our immediate circle, I’ll do that. But we’re in a fortunate position where we can solve a lot of problems – so that doesn’t happen very often.”

Once the client’s needs are fully understood, Corbeth works closely with them to drill down to the specifics: What type of LiDAR and other sensors best suit the application? How much compute power is needed? What platform and locomotion is best suited to the use-case? Is an autonomy stack required? The list, of course, goes on. And InDro has multiple options in every category to ensure the end product is the right one.

 

NEXT STEPS

 

We live, unfortunately, in a world where there’s a lot of hype – particularly when it comes to technology. There’s no shortage of vapourware, renders for products that don’t yet exist, and other techniques to draw clients into a sales funnel. At InDro, we take great pride in the fact our products are real and do exactly what we state.

“We’ve built custom products for everyone from small colleges and research teams right up to the largest technology companies in the world,” says Corbeth.

It’s one thing to say that; it’s quite another to prove it. And so Corbeth frequently arranges for an in-person or remote demonstration, where clients can control an existing robot or drone and take it for a test drive. They can experience the near-zero latency with remote ops, see the intuitiveness of the control system, and view all sensors, robot health (and much more) through the secure InDro Controller dashboard.

“We get them time on the sticks – ideally in person, but very often over Teams – and let them control a robot on our site. They can see how we plan missions, how we execute missions, and just how user-friendly and effective this technology is.”

That demo – controlling and seeing InDro products in action – generally seals the deal.

“Usually we move from there to quotes and service agreements and then, ultimately, a purchase order.”

Below: Luke engages with an attendee at the big IROS conference in Detroit in fall, 2023

FULFILLMENT AND SUPPORT

 

Even with the PO signed, the job isn’t done. Prior to starting the build, there’s generally a review call with the client along with engineering staff on the call. We want to ensure we have everything right, and understand every single facet of what the client is expecting.

“It’s a way of ensuring that what we end up delivering ultimately meets every expectation – because the worst thing you can do is send something out the door that doesn’t meet expectations. So we do that, and then we execute,” he says.

With the build complete, the product is shipped. Then there’s another call once it arrives. That ‘kickoff’ call points the client to the vast array of resources and continuously updated documentation InDro provides, as well as answering any initial questions the client might have. The whole concept here is to flatten the learning curve and ensure the client can get up and running with their robot or drone as quickly as possible. That support continues with any issues or questions that might arise after the client becomes familiar with their robot or drone or other device. At InDro, we are just as concerned with ensuring the client is satisfied and able to fully exploit their new product as we were with the original sale.

“We really value the client’s experience and the client’s feedback. In some ways, we create a feedback loop. And that feedback loop is what has enabled us to improve and evolve our products and our documentation at such a fast rate.”

 

KNOWLEDGE BASE

 

Luke Corbeth is frequently our lead person at robotics conferences and academic gatherings. He’s the guy PhD engineers will often engage with on InDro products and solutions. And the funny thing here? Luke’s comprehensive understanding of the technologies involved frequently lead people to assume he’s an engineer. In fact, that happened just this week at a University of Toronto event.

“That was like the penultimate compliment,” he says. “Despite having no formal education in engineering, I understand every part of our solution in enough detail that I can knowledgeably discuss hardware and solutions with some of the best professors in the world. Granted, I can’t build an autonomy algorithm. But I know what the robot needs to enable that.”

Of course, Luke would not have been able to reach that knowledge level without working closely with InDro’s talented engineering team at Area X.O. Whenever he’s had a question – they’ve had the answer. Many on our team have served as mentors for him.

Now, it’s one thing for us to say all this. But the real credibility comes with feedback from our clients. Luke received this note after the delivery of a custom robot build for, truly, one of the biggest companies in the world:

“Hey Luke – The robot is fantastic; the craftsmanship is superb; the power on the base is enabling; the intricate way in which the computer fits in the base housing is incredible; the compute box + mast feels “just right” (there’s no template for social robot design, but I feel like we got very close); all these things make me really confident that, with the right algorithms (my responsibility) we can safely and efficiently navigate through crowds.  It’s a really special robot that I can’t wait to put in the field.  Your team deserves a raise!”

(We’ll have to ask our CEO about that last bit.)

Below, our recent swarm robotics build for a US client

 

 

Robosense LiDAR Swarm

INDRO’S TAKE

 

InDro would not be thriving without satisfying our clients (many of whom are repeat customers, or are referred to us by existing ones). It is part of our very ethos to fully understand the problems they are trying to solve before we ever start discussing a solution. And it’s only then, through a very collaborative process with the client, that we can deliver a product that not only meets – but frequently exceeds – their expectations.

“Luke is a crucial and always enthusiastic part of the InDro Robotics team,” says Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “His understanding of the technology is phenomenal, and his drive to truly help clients achieve the future they envision seems to be hard-wired into him. Yes, meticulous builds are a key part of client satisfaction and InDro’s reputation. Luke plays an absolutely key role in ensuring that what we ultimately build and deliver is a match with their expectations.”

If you’re considering a robotics solution, contact Luke Corbeth here. He’ll be happy to arrange a test drive.

New InDro Controller: A simple solution to complex robotics missions

New InDro Controller: A simple solution to complex robotics missions

Jun 12, 2024 | InDro Autonomy, InDro Controller, InDro News, Robotics, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

InDro Robotics – as always – has been hard at work on innovative new products. And we’re particularly proud of our latest accomplishment: The InDro Controller.

It’s an all-in-one solution for operating virtually any type of robot from a highly secure console. It’s completely robot-agnostic, very easy to use – and exceedingly powerful. We’ll get into the details as we go, but first let’s hear from Front End Developer RJ Bundy with an elevator pitch.

“It’s an all-in-one data visualization, robot management and robot control software,” he says. “Whether you’re a student first learning how to use a robot or you’re a commercial giant, you’d be able to manage and maintain all of your robots.”

He’s not exaggerating. We walked through a demo of this system recently, with Head of R&D Sales Luke Corbeth at the controls and Bundy explaining the various features. We connected remotely with one of our InDro robots. The software immediately detected all of the sensors on the platform, offering up a display of windows showing the data they were collecting with minimal latency.

“It can handle all sorts of data,” says Bundy. “It doesn’t matter if the robot has standard or custom sensors, InDro Controller can automatically detect and visualize them. For example, if you added a radar unit to an existing robot, the system will pick up on that immediately.”

Of course, it has teleoperation. Missions can be run manually or autonomously (with InDro’s autonomy stack loaded onto any ROS-based robot).

“We have a GPS-based autonomy – which is better for outdoors – and then we have a SLAM- (Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping) based autonomy which is ideal for indoors,” says Corbeth.

And while InDro Controller has very complex capabilities, it’s a snap to use.

“Once it’s set up, it’s pretty straightforward to initiate the mission. Even someone without any robotics knowledge could do it,” he adds.

Below: The Pilot View mode in InDro Controller. Data from any desired sensors is displayed with minimal latency via a highly secure connection.

Teleoperations

HIGHLY SECURE

 

Regardless of whether you’re a startup, researcher, or a major corporation collecting sensitive data – security is important. InDro Controller has been built with that in mind.

“We’ve created an interface that makes it very hard for a third party to intercept any of those commands or the data coming from the robot to you.”

Though the person controlling the robot is the primary login, others with a secure login can also monitor the missions remotely from anywhere in the world. The software can store as many repeatable missions as you can throw at it, and you can initiate a previously stored mission with a single click.

 

MISSION PLANNING

 

Mission planning could not be simpler.

For the first mission, the pilot would manually control the robot. InDro Controller uses an Xbox controller plugged into your computer for intuitive operation (though other options are available). All buttons on the Xbox device can be quickly mapped to carry out specific functions.

InDro Controller tracks everything you’ve done – and we mean everything – and saves it as a repeatable autonomous mission.

“If you manually drive the robot somewhere, it will remember it’s been there and it’ll be able to go back, follow that same path every time. It will also remember to carry out any specific actions you’ve taken at those points of interest, including camera angles, zoom, etc.” says Bundy.

The mission planner also automatically loads a map to locate your robot (you also have the option of satellite view), so you can monitor exactly where it is on any given mission.

And, of course, it can do this for an entire fleet of robots.

Below: InDro Controller shows Points of Interest – which can be repeated with saved missions

Robot Teleoperation

HIGHLY CUSTOMISABLE

 

InDro Controller has been designed to allow users to easily customise the user interface for any robot, any mission, and any dashboard view. Multiple streams of data, including upload and download speeds, battery levels and overall robot health are available at a glance. Oh, and did we mention it also works with third-party autonomy stacks?

“The dashboard, the cameras, the heads up display on the autonomous missions – those all can be customised,” says Bundy. “We’re also adding other personal user customisations, like a light and dark mode, metric conversion, schedule missions – all the kinds of features you could want.”

InDro Controller already works exceptionally well. But – as with all of our R&D projects – it will continually be refined with additional features and functionality.

“We’re heavily invested in continuously improving the software,” says Corbeth. “So regardless of which version you’re shipped, know that this is something that InDro Robotics is constantly developing and improving with client feedback in mind to ultimately provide the best mission planning, teleoperations and development software tool in the robotics industry.”

Speaking of versions, there’s a simpler version of InDro Controller – which does not have the autonomy features – already being used for missions in the academic world. Feedback has been excellent.

“Users tell us they find it InDro Controller Lite exceedingly powerful, but also very simple to use. That was exactly our goal in developing this product,” says Corbeth.

Academics and corporate innovation groups could take advantage of the Lite version, while the InDustrial package is intended for solving more complex problems in an industrial environment

 

SATISFYING R&D

 

For Front End Developer Bundy, who oversaw this project with support from other engineering staff, it’s been a hugely satisfying – and challenging – project.

“A lot of the customization features were pretty difficult because it has to be robust and dynamic, which is always tough,” he says. “This is a relatively complicated application and I’ve managed to put together something pretty nice and functional – and it will only get better. “I’ve had a bunch of other help, but putting together the UI for InDro Controller has been, and continues to be, highly satisfying.”

Teleoperating Robots

INDRO’S TAKE

 

We’re obviously excited about InDro Controller. And we’re particularly excited because we have a forthcoming piece of hardware – the InDro Module. It’s a small box with a lot of brains that can be added to any robot to increase functionality and enable the seamless addition of sensors and other modifications (as well as pre-loaded autonomy stack and ROS drivers). We’ll have more on that soon, but it’s the perfect match for InDro Controller for users with complex requirements.

For the moment, we’re looking forward to putting both the Lite and InDustrial versions into the hands of clients.

“When we first began remote teleoperation several years ago, we relied on third-party software as the UI,” says InDro Robotics CEO Philip Reece. “But we found it wasn’t powerful or customisable enough for our needs. It also required that we have our own autonomy stack – and we did – but many clients do not. InDro Controller comes with our proprietary autonomy stacks for both outdoor and GPS-denied locations. And, as noted previously, this is a long-term project, where even early adopters can be assured the package will be continuously refined with additional features.”

Word has already been spreading in the R&D and commercial fields about this product, and the feedback from those using the Lite version has been outstanding. Interested in learning more or seeing a demo? Contact Luke Corbeth here.

QUEBEC’S HAPLY ROBOTICS MAKES THE VIRTUAL FEEL REAL

QUEBEC’S HAPLY ROBOTICS MAKES THE VIRTUAL FEEL REAL

Jan 31, 2024 | Industry News, Innovation, Robotics, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

Odds are you’ve heard of remote surgery by now.

That’s where a surgeon, looking at screens that provide incredibly detailed 3D video in realtime, conducts the operation using a controller for each hand. The inputs on those controllers are translated into scaled-down movement of robotic arms fitted with the appropriate medical devices. The robotic arms are capable of moving a precise fraction of the distance of the operators’ hands. As a result, these systems allow for far greater control, particularly during really fine or delicate procedures. 

The surgeon might be at a console in the operating theatre where the patient is. Or they could be operating on someone remotely. You could have a specialist in Montreal perform an operation on someone elsewhere in the world – providing you’ve got a speedy data connection.

The video below does a really good job of explaining how one of the best-known systems works. 

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF FEEL

 

Conducting standard surgery (or a variety of other tasks) without robots involves constant tactile feedback.  If a doctor is moving an instrument through tissue – or even probing inside an ear – they can feel what’s going on. Think of cutting a piece of fruit; you adjust the pressure on the knife depending on how easy the fruit is to slice. When you put a spoon into a bowl of jello, that constant feedback from the utensil helps inform how hard or soft you need to push.

This tactile feedback is very much a part of our everyday lives – whether it’s brushing your teeth or realising there’s a knot in your hair while combing it. Even when you scratch an itch, you’re making use of this feedback to determine the appropriate pressure and movements (though you have the additional data reaching your brain from the spot being scratched).

But how do you train someone to perform delicate operations like surgery – even bomb defusal – via robotics? How do you give them an accurate, tactile feel for what’s happening at the business end? How much pressure is required to snip a wire, or to stitch up a surgical opening?

That’s where a company from Quebec called Haply Robotics comes in.

“Haply Robotics builds force-feedback haptic controllers that are used to add the sense of touch to VR experiences, and to robotic control,” explains Product Manager Jessica Henry. “That means that our controller sits on the human interface side and lets the human actually use their hand to do a task that is conveyed to a robot that’s performing that task.”

We met some of the Haply Robotics team during the fall at the IROS 2023 conference in Detroit. We had an opportunity for a hands-on experience, and were impressed.

 

INVERSE3

 

That’s the name of Haply’s core product.

“The Inverse3 is the only haptic interface on the market that has been specially designed to be compact, lightweight, and completely portable,” says the company’s website. “Wireless tool tracking enables you to move freely through virtual environments, while our quick tool change mechanism allows you to easily connect and swap VR controllers, replica instruments, and other tools to leverage the Inverse3’s unmatched power and precision for next-generation force-feedback control.

“The Inverse3 replicates tactile sensory input required for simulating technical tasks. It can precisely emulate complex sensations like cutting into tissue or drilling into bone – empowering students, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to hone and perfect medical interventions before ever performing them in the clinical environment.”

Haply Robotics has produced an excellent video that gives you both a look at the product – and how it works:

 

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?

 

While at IROS, we had a chance to put our hands on the Inverse3.

In one of the simulations (which you’ll see shortly), the objective was to push a small sphere through a virtual gelatin-like substance. As you start pushing the ball against that barrier, you begin to feel resistance through the handle of the Inverse3. Using force-feedback, you continue to push and feel that resistance increase. Finally, when you’ve hit precisely the correct amount of pressure, the ball passes through the gelatin. The sensation, which included a satisfying, almost liquid ‘pop’ as the ball passed through, was amazing. It felt exactly like you would have anticipated it would feel with a real-world object.

“Touch adds a more information as opposed to just having the visual information,” explains Henry. “You also have the tactile information, so you have a rich amount of information for your brain to make a decision. You can even introduce different haptic boundaries so you can use things like AI in order to add some kind of safety measure. If the AI can say ‘don’t go there’ – it can force your hand out of the boundary with haptic cues. So it’s not just visual, it’s not just audio.”

 

SIMULATION, TRAINING…AND MORE

 

The Inverse3 is already in use for simulation training in the medical industry. In fact, many existing devices for robotic surgery do not have haptics – and there’s clearly a demand.

“Robotic surgical consoles don’t use haptics yet, and we’re hearing that surgeons are asking for that to be added because it’s missing that sense,” says Henry. “A mistake they can make is to push an instrument too far in because it’s just visual. If you had haptics on your handles, you would intuitively know to pull back.”

Remember how we tried pushing a virtual object through a gel-like substance? You’ll see that in this video around the :24 mark:

THE HAPLY STORY

 

Well, it’s not the entire Haply Robotics story, but here it is in a nutshell.

The idea for the product – for the need for such a product – first surfaced in 2016. The three co-founders were working on haptic devices at Canada’s National Research Council. Existing devices then were large and tended to not have the greatest user experience. They saw an opportunity to create something better. The company has been in business since 2018 – with these three at the helm:

  • Colin Gallacher (MEng, MSc, President)
  • Steve Ding (MEng, Electrical lead)
  • Felix Desourdy (BEng, Mechanical lead)

The trio put their heads together and – a lot of R&D later – produced the Inverse3.

The company manufactures the physical product, which contains three motors to provide haptic feedback. Haply Robotics also makes an API, but the coding for the simulations comes from outside partners. Fundamental VR, for example, is a company devoted to developing virtual training simulations for everything from opthamology to endovascular procedures. It coded that gelatin simulation.

“Studies confirm that VR significantly improves the effectiveness of medical education programs. Adding real haptics increases accuracy and delivers full skills transfer,” says the Fundamental VR website. In fact, it cites research showing a 44 per cent improvement in surgical accuracy when haptics are part of the VR experience.

“In the training space, when you’re using it for simulation, a surgeon’s work is very tactile and dexterous,” says Haply’s Jessica Henry. “We enable them to train using those instruments with the proper weights, the proper forces, that they’d encounter in surgery as opposed to textbooks or cadavers. It’s a more enriched way of interacting.”

And it really, really feels real.

Below: Haply’s Jessica Henry manipulates the Inverse3

 

 

Haply Robotics Jessica

INDRO’S TAKE

 

It’s always great discovering another new company in the robotics field, particularly one with an innovative solution like the Inverse3. It’s also great when these companies are Canadian.

“Haply Robotics has identified a clear void in the marketplace and created a solution,” says Indro Robotics CEO Philip Reece. “With the growth in remote robotics – not just surgery – I can see a wide range of use-cases for the Inverse3. Congratulations to the Haply team on being ahead of the curve.”

For more info on the product, check out the Haply Robotics website.

Assistive devices on the rise at Korea’s Robot World Conference

Assistive devices on the rise at Korea’s Robot World Conference

Oct 12, 2023 | Medical, Robotics, Robots, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

A major robotics conference is underway in Seoul, South Korea.

Robot World 2023 features some 200 exhibitors and 700 booths, ranging all the way from heavy hitters like Hyundai (which makes robots for industrial purposes) through to companies that manufacture the various widgets that make up the robot supply chain. There are manufacturers of wheels, servos, end effectors, lubricants, cable management systems – you name it, you’ll find it.

Need a hand? There’s no shortage of robotic arms. While many are suited for factory and warehouse work, others are destined for the food services industry. Turn a corner and you’re more likely than not to see an arm smoothly pouring a coffee, grabbing a soft drink or snack and presenting it to an attendee.

Below: A Hyundai robot that can lift and reposition autonomobiles. It’s part of the Hyundai WIA (World Industrial Ace) division.

USE-CASES

 

The robots at this show illustrate the many use-cases. There are welding robots, pick-and-place machines, and heavy-lift AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) that can lift more than a ton. Need something stacked, sorted, inspected, delivered? Want a manipulator arm you can program to start preparing French fries the moment a take-out order has been placed by an app? Need a robot to move a car?

At Robot World 2023, you’ll find all of the above – and more.

 

ASSISTIVE DEVICES

 

But there was another category of robot on display at the exhibition: Assistive medical devices. Specifically, very smart machines that can be used for patients requiring rehabilitation.

InDro Robotics, which was invited to attend Robot World 2023, was struck by the number of companies with products in this sector. There were ground robots – friendly-looking devices that keep an eye on vulnerable people and can call for assistance if there’s a fall or some other crisis. But more intriguing to us were machines that can play a role – both physiologically and psychologically – in helping to rehabilitate someone from a serious injury or other challenging condition.

Below: A shape-shifting wheelchair wheel can climb stairs

Robot World Microsurgery

RE-LEARNING TO WALK

 

Like any major convention, exhibitors range from established global companies like Hyundai all the way to smaller startups with a great idea. And one that caught our attention is a company called Astrek Innovations. Its CEO and co-Founder is Robin Kanattu, a young engineer from Kerala in southern India.

“We are mainly focussing on building and designing products for the 20 per cent of people who are suffering from disability and accessibility issues,” says Robin. “One of the products is the lower limb exoskeleton, for people who are suffering form lower limb disabilities.”

As the company’s website explains:

“Established in 2018, we develop cutting edge solutions to some of our most complex problems – Disability and Rehabilitation. Leveraging our knowledge and expertise in robotics, machine learning and motion capture, we design devices that would transform the current state-of-the-art in the rehabilitation and assistive technology arena.

“Our magnum opus is a wearable robotic device, an exoskeleton, that would help people with lower-limb immobility walk again. A culmination of motorised limb braces, motion capturing & tracking; and machine learning; this device would transform rehabilitation into a precise, immediate treatment protocol.”

Established in 2018, the company has been building and testing versions of this product for four years.

“Now we have a final version, and we wanted to provide independence for people who are suffering form these disabilities,” he says.

A lot of research has gone into this product. Robin says a great deal of groundwork was spent capturing data on healthy people: How they walk, how they sit, how gaits alter during the course of a stride.

“Now we use that same data to predict the walking pattern of users, so they will have much more stable walking and standing while using the device.”

The exoskeleton provides support and strength and moves the legs. Forward-facing crutches are used to aid in stability. The product can be used on someone who is paralysed from the waist down, people recovering from strokes, those with certain genetic issues and people recovering from accidents.

 

HOW THE IDEA WAS BORN

 

Robin is an electrical engineer. But there was a personal motivation to put his skills to use in this arena.

“My grandfather had this issue. After having an accident, he was not able to walk properly. And after doing knee replacement surgery he was not able to walk again,” he explains. “So that’s how our team came togeher.”

Astrek has been recognized for product excellence at Robot World 2023, and Korea has brought the company in on a program called the K Startup Grand Challenge. Robin has been working in Korea on streamlining the manufacturing chain, working with mentors and looking for collaboration.

But the product, he says, is fully functioning. And people who are paralyzed from the waist down have been able to walk with it.

“Psychologically, they are so happy,” he says. “Their sole dream is to walk again, and we are happy to see them doing that.”

Robin did not have the prototype at the show because of red tape involving flying the batteries to Seoul. He’s pictured below with a banner showing the device.

Robin Kanattu Astrek

ROBOT REHABILITATION

 

Another company, RpiO, has already cracked the market. Its R-BoT plus is a device designed for people with central nervous system damage (including stroke, paraplegia, spinal cord injury etc.). It’s more of a rehab device designed for hospital settings, but allows users to exercise lower extremities while lying down or standing upright. The product is approved by a Korean regulatory body (Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safey, formerly the KFDA), and the company has already sold seven units inside Korea.

“We have major hospitals, locals hospitals and private hospitals who are using the machine with people who have damage impacting their lower body,” explains CEO Jay Moh.

“Because KFDA is a standard in Southeast Asia, we are starting to sell in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. Many doctors have come to see our robots.”

The R-BoT plus works in three modes: Passive, active and resistive – depending on the patient’s abilities. What sets this device apart is that the person exercising watches a large-screen display during rehabilitation sessions. The display features outdoor scenes, and with every ‘step’ made, a footprint appears on the ground and the patient has a visual cue that they’re making progress. Distance covered, calories burned and heart rate are all displayed as well, providing further incentive.

“Once the machine starts, they look at the display,” he says. “This has been medically tested; this stimulates the brain and releases a chemical that stimulates recovery. People feel better – they enjoy the workout and feel like they’re walking through the grass.”

For those ready to actually move in the real world, the company also has a product called EXOwalk. Here, an exoskeleton is strapped to the patient’s limbs and can help move their legs (again, in multiple modes). But this exoskeleton is fixed to a rolling robotic platform – meaning the patient actually moves forward on the ground, rather than being fixed to a static machine.

“This is driven – so they actually move along the hallway in the facility.”

 

EXO Motion

 

For patients with upper limb motor impairments, the company has developed a product called EXO motion. This is strictly a portable exoskeleton device that attaches to the arm. In active mode, it detects myolectric signals from the user’s arm and – with some sophisticated algorithms and mechatronics – converts those signals into mechanical motion that moves the arm.

In addition to these robotic devices, RpiO also is a leading company in software designed to help people with dementia.

“We have a high population of elderly people who suffer with this,” says Moh. “So the market is growing very fast.”

Below: CEO Jay Moh, followed by the R-BoT plus and display. Note the footprints…

 

Robot World Korea R-BoT plus
R-BoT plus display

INDRO’S TAKE

 

We enjoyed checking out these devices at Robot World 2023 – and were pleased to see yet more evidence of #robotsforgood.

“Robots can be tremendous tools on their own,” says InDro Robotics CEO Philip Reece. “But there’s something truly special about products designed to directly help human beings improve their mobility and health. We applaud the inventors and engineers who develop these products, and look forward to even more assistive device breakthroughs in future.”

And a final note: The feature image at the top of this story shows some very, very, tiny arms used for microsurgery. InDro was able to take a run at the controls (pictured below). It took some patience, but we were able to grasp an impossibly small elastic band.

Now picture a highly skilled microsurgeon operating on someone remotely.

It’s happening now, thanks to robotics.

Robot World Microsurgery
Rockwell Automation to purchase Clearpath Robotics

Rockwell Automation to purchase Clearpath Robotics

Sep 7, 2023 | AMR, Industry News, Robotics

By Scott Simmie

 

There’s some big news in the Canadian robotics world.

US-based Rockwell Automation, which describes itself as “the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation” has announced it has signed an agreement to purchase Canadian company Clearpath Robotics.

Clearpath is known for its Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), many of which are designed to move heavy loads inside warehouses. In fact, Clearpath has an entire division – OTTO Motors –  which specialises in AMRs, along with software for fleet management and navigation.

These are the kinds of vehicles we’re talking about – which can clearly aid in efficiency:

THE NEWS

 

Word of the planned acquisition case in a September 5 news release from Rockwell Automation. 

“Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK)…today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ontario, Canada-based Clearpath Robotics Inc., a leader in autonomous robotics for industrial applications. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are the next frontier in industrial automation and transformation, and this acquisition will supercharge Rockwell’s lead in bringing the Connected Enterprise to life.”

If you’ve been following the robotics world in the past few years, you’ll be aware that the use of robotics has gone far beyond industrial arms welding car frames or lifting parts into place. Robots have increasingly been deployed to warehouses and other industrial settings to increase efficiency and reduce repetitive and arduous manual labour for human beings. Moving, packing and tracking have become huge – and an increasingly integral part of the supply chain and inventory management. Rockwell Automation clearly sees OTTO Motors as part of its solution going forward:

“Transporting parts and materials to assembly lines and between manufacturing cells is one of the industry’s most complex and inefficient tasks, often resulting in production bottlenecks,” states the release.

“Autonomous production logistics will transform the workflow throughout a manufacturing plant, enabling substantial reductions in cost and greater operational efficiency…Combined with Rockwell’s strong continuing partnerships in fixed robotic arms, solutions such as Independent Cart Technology, and traditional leadership in programmable logic controllers (PLCs), the addition of OTTO Motors’ AMR capabilities will create a complete portfolio of advanced material handling solutions unmatched in the industry.”

The release seems to make it clear that Rockwell Automation sees OTTO Motors as the jewel in the crown. Here’s another look at some of the OTTO Motors AMR solutions:

A GROWING MARKET

 

The news release cites research from Interact Analysis, which points to strong growth in this field in the coming years. Demand for AMRs in manufacturing, says the release, is slated to grow at 30 per cent annually over the next five years, “with an estimated market size of $6.2 billion by 2027.”

“Rockwell and Clearpath together will simplify the difficult and labor-intensive task of moving materials and product through an orchestrated and safe system to optimize operations throughout the entire manufacturing facility,” said Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO, Rockwell Automation.

“The combination of autonomous robots and PLC-based line control has long been a dream of plant managers in industries as diverse as automotive and consumer packaged goods. With Clearpath, Rockwell is uniquely positioned to make that dream a reality across virtually all discrete and hybrid verticals, optimizing planning, operations, and the workforce.”

Clearpath is said to have about 300 employees, with the majority working within the OTTO Motors division. And, not surprisingly, is pleased with the news.

“Industrial customers are under ever-increasing pressure to do more with less. Autonomous production logistics is becoming a necessity to meet targets and stay competitive,” says Matt Rendall, co-founder and CEO of Clearpath.

“We are excited to join Rockwell and help expand their leadership position in advanced material handling. Together, we will create safer and more productive workplaces with autonomous technology.”

Indro Robotics Vice-President Peter King, who previously worked at Clearpath, has this to say about the acquisition.

“It’s a great opportunity for Rockwell to take on an industry leader in this space at a time when AMRs are about to become the norm,” says King. “Rockwell’s size and market penetration should bode well for global growth.”

The news release goes on to explain how the two companies are a natural fit:

“Data from Rockwell’s offerings and OTTO Motors’ AMRs will be harnessed in artificial intelligence-powered Software as a Service information management applications, such as those by Rockwell’s Plex and Fiix businesses,” it states.

“With this, Rockwell will deliver a unified solution for manufacturing, enabling autonomous execution and optimization to increase efficiency and allow for traceability and real-time adjustments.

INDRO’S TAKE

 

There aren’t a whole lot of Canadian companies manufacturing robots – let alone with multiple offerings aimed at the warehouse/industrial sector. Clearpath was an early leader on the Canadian robotics scene, and its OTTO Motors division produces some impressive offerings.

“Clearpath got into ground robotics early – and over time really carved out a niche for itself, particularly with OTTO Motors,” says Indro Robotics CEO Philip Reece.

“Robotics is a highly competitive space these days. Rockwell Automation clearly sees some synergy here with its own products and clients. We congratulate Clearpath on this acquisition, and look forward to what we assume will be continued success in the AMR market.”

Clearpath Robotics was founded in 2009 and launched its OTTO Motors division in 2015. Rockwell Automation is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and employs 28,000 people serving clients in more than 100 countries.

A Q&A with Real Life Robotics CEO Cameron Waite

A Q&A with Real Life Robotics CEO Cameron Waite

May 17, 2023 | InDro News, RealLife Robotics, Robotics

By Scott Simmie

 

There’s a new robot – and a new robotics company – in town.

Real Life Robotics, founded by CEO Cameron Waite, is a cargo and last-mile robotics delivery firm. Its deployments utilise products developed by InDro Robotics intended for both autonomous and tele-operated missions over 4G and 5G networks. These robots, customisable for client-specific applications, are designed for long-range and large payloads.

Its first workhorse, currently doing demos for potential clients, is a unit Real Life calls BUBS. Developed by InDro, the robot is a second-generation delivery machine with impressive payload capability and a lockable payload door that opens upon reaching its destination. It’s suitable for a wide variety of use-cases and can be modified for client-specific needs.

BUBS is packed with features, including:

  • A total of six cameras, including two sets of depth perception cameras at the front and rear for greater situational awareness for the operator
  • LED running lights, signal lights, brake lights
  • Large cargo bay (50kg capacity) that can be opened and closed remotely
  • Greater all-weather protection and a touchscreen interface for customers

Just as the Artist Formerly Known as Prince had a name change, so too has BUBS. InDro’s and Real Life Robotics’ earlier development name for the machine was ROLL-E 2.0. It went through successful trials with London Drugs in Surrey, BC, for home deliveries.

 

Below: Bubs in action during trials in BC for London Drugs

THE INDRO-REAL LIFE CONNECTION

 

Like most business relationships, this one began with a conversation. Specifically, a chat between InDro CEO Philip Reece and Cameron Waite in 2021. Just as InDro has deep expertise in robotics R&D, Waite has a high-level background in robotics sales and customer success. With more than two decades of experience in hardware sales, Waite was an early hire at Canadian success story Aeryon Labs, a pioneering UAV firm that was acquired by FLIR for $200M.

Waite was responsible for global sales with Aeryon, engaging with clients ranging from police and First Responders to defence, commercial inspection, “and everything in-between,” he says. He learned a lot about different use-case scenarios for the product – as well as the ability of engineers to customise capabilities of the core product line to meet the needs of clients.

From there, he went on to a similar position at Avidbots. He was, again, a very early-stage hire with significant responsibilities for helping grow the company.

“There was no revenue there prior to my joining,” he says. “I was the first sales hire at Aeryon; I was the first sales hire at Avidbots.”

So, what did he do at Avidbots?

“I was able to engage with some of the largest companies in the world – everyone from DHL to Walmart. I spent five years there, growing that organization, hiring and managing staff, sales people, but also being involved in customer success and support and product and product development. Making sure that the feedback from the clients in the field was making its way to the team to build and develop and modify and tweak that robot to better fit the needs of our clients so that our clients would continue to want to scale.”

We interviewed Waite (obviously) about his plans for Real Life Robotics, and the kind of clients that might be a solid fit for BUBS.

Below: Real Life Robotics CEO/Founder Cameron Waite in conversation with Scott Simmie

Cameron Waite RealLife Robotics

QUESTIONS. AND ANSWERS

 

So let’s get into the Q & As.

Q: Tell us about BUBS

A: BUBS is a second-generation delivery robot. It is a large unit relative to what we typically would see out in the market. It uses a suite of sensors onboard to give it spacial and environmental awareness. We use systems like the NVIDIA Nano to process data that the robot sees in real time, which allows it to make its own autonomous decisions to navigate through the world.

The robot is large-capacity and has a locking, remotely operated lid that allows it to securely hold and transport whatever it is our customers are interested in moving. It’s a large-enough system that it can hold food, beverages, product from a store, pharmaceuticals or lab samples from a hospital, dirty linens in a long-term care facility, product on a golf course – really anything that needs to be transported from Point A to Point B.

It has indoor and outdoor capabilities, so it is weather-resistant. It can handle some pretty significant slopes and terrain. The robot, in addition to its autonomy and sensor package, utilises a radio system that allows us to have remote assistance or piloting as necessary through a WiFI connection, a 4G/5G connection, or private network. We currently use the Rogers 5G network as our backbone, and from a teleoperation or semi-autonomous perspective, we can have an operator located anywhere on planet earth and have that person remotely assist or operate the robot as necessary with under a 1/10th of a second latency. So it’s near real-time using EDGE computing.

 

IS BUBS DESIGNED FOR AUTONOMOUS OPS OR TELE-OPERATION?

 

That was the question. Here’s the answer.

A: The answer depends on the application itself. So some environments where we have a high degree of predictability and can pre-map and understand that environment, those are environments that are more conducive to fully autonomous operations. The robot can be trained using Computer Vision and AI to autonomously navigate through an entire space if that space is predictable.

Alternatively, if there is a high degree of variability, or there are safety or regulatory concerns that require a human in the loop, we have that option as well. So, for example, if a robot was to be traveling in a city environment and it needed to cross a road – that’s a complex procedure for any robot to do. And there’s likely a degree of human interface that would be beneficial to have that robot determine when and where it’s safe to cross the road. Or if a path was blocked by a large-enough obstacle, and the robot needed to exit a geofence that is pre-programmed into that operation, in order to safely manoeuevre around that obstacle, it’s likely a good idea to have a human in the loop to make that complex decision.

The more repetitive times that type of an application happens, the more a robot can be trained to autonomously execute those types of scenarios. As that robot’s deployment increases over time, the human interface required decreases. But there will always be some level of human in the loop.

 

WHAT ABOUT REGULATORY ENVIRONMENTS AND ADOPTION?

 

A: Over the next 10 years, we will see an enormous increase in the reliance on robotics to do basic things like delivery inside municipal environments. One of the things I learned at Aeryon years ago was the importance of engaging with government early on, because government can otherwise potentially shut down your operations at a really inopportune time. And so Real Life Robotics has already engaged with a number of Canadian cities and had early approvals to allow our robots to drive around in certain automation projects in city environments.

Municipalities typically have concerns around full automation and Level 4, Level 5 autonomy. If Elon Musk and his team are not able to get approvals to drive around in downtown Toronto, how do we think we’re going to get the same approvals to drive around autonomously? We’re not. So the cities have actually really embraced the fact that our robots can have a human in the loop to make some of those difficult decisions. That helps alleviate some of the concerns around full autonomy. But we have spent the time building the groundwork to allow us to operate in their environments and we, in return, intend to work very closely with those cities to actually build the playbook, and build the ruleset and the framework around successful and safe deployment of robots in urban environments.

 

CAN BUBS BE MODIFIED FOR CLIENTS?

 

A: Absolutely. Our mandate is to commercialise robots. And as part of any startup growth plan, sometimes there are pivots along the way that you need to make. But in general, a client that has a real ROI potential where robots can facilitate that, and a client that has the potential for scale, that’s our expertise. With the combined benefit of having InDro, we can not only develop a very specific robot solution to solve a customer’s immediate concerns or challenges, we can also scale that robot.

Q: Why did you feel InDro was the best fit for a partner?

A: In general, InDro would be considered a world-class R&D company – hands down, bar none. And that’s why we partnered with them. The firm has an enormous skillset, including expertise with autonomy, sensor fusion and integration. Because the company has all off that, plus a large engineering staff, we’re lucky to call InDro a true partner. InDro’s capabilities and agility will help speed the path of Real Life – and our clients – to commercialisation.

Below: BUBS in action during a pilot project in Surrey, BC

Delivery Robot

SPREADING THE NEWS

 

Real Life Robotics issued a news release on its partnership with InDro, which you can find here. But we’ll take the liberty to borrow a section from it:

“The ground robotic delivery market is still very new,” explains Waite. “We engage with both commercial/industrial and government clients who want to lead the charge in adoption of this exciting technology we’ve created.”

“Using a combination of hardware, software, and artificial intelligence, Real Life Robotics’ flagship product, called BUBS™, provides cargo and delivery automation at scale. The company’s unique Robot-As-A-Service model approach provides clients with a white-labelled, customized robot at an accessible cost, allowing businesses to realize immediate top line and bottom line impact.

“Businesses in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, agriculture and food services sectors among others can utilize BUBS™ for a variety of last-mile delivery applications with BUBS™ providing immediate solutions to labor shortages, as well as cost savings, labor efficiencies optimization while driving additional new revenue streams.

“InDro and Real Life Robotics will work closely together to enhance robot offerings, as well as identify new ways of collaborating in a fast-growing marketplace.”

INDRO’S TAKE

 

We’re obviously equally pleased with this partnership – and are eager to build and customise ground robot solutions for the clients of Real Life Robotics.

“Cameron Waite has deep expertise in sales and support of aerial and ground robotics, along with customer success,” says InDro CEO Philip Reece. “We look forward to creating custom solutions at scale for Cam’s clients. Real Life Robotics is the right company, with the right leader, at the right time.”

You can learn more about Real Life Robotics here. And you can reach CEO Cameron Waite here.

CONTACT

INDRO ROBOTICS
305, 31 Bastion Square,
Victoria, BC, V8W 1J1

P: 1-844-GOINDRO
(1-844-464-6376)

E: Info@InDroRobotics.com

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