Self-Learning Robots Coming to Factories

Cognitive robotics company Neura Robotics has partnered with industrial automation group Omron Robotics to integrate cognitive robotics into factory automation.

Under the partnership, the companies plan to deploy AI-enabled robots in factory settings to enhance efficiency, flexibility and safety, a move they said would “revolutionize” the manufacturing industry. 

Unlike traditional industrial robots, these cognitive robots learn from their environment and trial and error, make decisions autonomously and adapt to ever-changing scenarios. 

This means they can carry out more intricate tasks typically reserved for human workers, such as quality inspections and assembly tasks. 

“We see Neura’s cognitive technologies as a compelling growth opportunity for industrial robotics,” said Olivier Welker, Omron’s CEO. “By combining Neura’s innovative solutions with Omron’s global reach and automation portfolio, we will provide customers new ways to increase safety, productivity, and flexibility in their operations.”

“The strategic connection between Omron and Neura Robotics is a milestone in the history of industrial automation,” said David Reger, Neura Robotics’ founder. “It brings us a significant step closer to our goal of revolutionizing the global robotics market,

Related:‘Cognitive Robotics’ Company Raises $55M

“By pooling our sensor and AI technologies and expertise into an ultimate platform approach, we will significantly shape the future of the manufacturing industry and set new standards.”

According to Neura, it is the first company to combine AI and robotics to create environmentally aware robots. The company said its robotics platform uses “reflexive sensory processing” to give its robots predictive action and autonomous decision-making.

The company currently offers three robots: the MAV mobile robot, the LARA “high-end cobot” and MAiRA, which it said is the “world’s first cognitive robot.”

Last October, Neura announced it had raised $16 million for its U.S. expansion. 

The round was led by InterAlpen Partners and followed a $55 million funding round last July by European investors Lingotto (an investment management company owned by Exor N.V.), Vsquared Ventures, Primepulse and HV Capital.