Universal Logic® has been delivering artificial intelligence (AI) based robotic solutions for four years in manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and agriculture. Neocortex®, Universals real-time modular AI platform for machine control, is at the heart of these installations that handle up to 90,000 SKUs at a rate between 600 and 1600 items per hour. Universal is exhibiting order fulfillment piece picking and manufacturing machine tending using the new 5.0 version of Neocortex integrated with their Partners products at MODEX in Atlanta, Georgia, April 9 - 12.

Neocortex G2R Cells Provide Flexibility @ Speed®

Due to e-commerce, supply chains are expanding quickly, requiring more manual labor to handle high product variability. Tight labor markets are driving up costs and leave operations short handed. Universal Logic has solved this problem with a turn-key robotic solution to replace labor. The Neocortex G2R cell is a complete smart robot cell on a 4x4 skid that is up and running in one day. It is controlled by Neocortex, which extends perception, directs grasping, and guides the robot. The installed cell is half the cost of labor at $7 per hour. Most customers realize a 12- to 18-month payback. The three sizes provide collaborative ease with industrial speed. It can be easily redeployed to other human-sized work areas as needed, requiring only a hard-wired Internet connection, compressed air, and power.

Neocortex 5.0 Introduced
Neocortex, developed over 10 years, is a sophisticated AI software platform designed as a general purpose control system. The product uses sensor data, artificial intelligence, and machine control to provide robots and machines real-time reactive control to changing supply chain products and processes. It is independent of sensors, end effector, and robots, capable of working with all major equipment manufacturers. It can solve a range of problems that have historically required semi-skilled labor. The software is structured as a middleware, integrating communications and control between sensors, AI and machine behavior.

In Neocortex version 5.0, application improvements include multiple input and output tote handling, sorting, and special item handling for finished goods piece picking; improved part management and higher resolution inspection for manufacturing part picking; and enhanced depalletizing and palletizing box handling along the supply chain. Version 5.0 platform provides enhanced mixed piece picking, multi-configurations of finger grasping, and integration of new sensors and PLCs.

Exhibits of Neocortex G2R Cells at MODEX
Universals MODEX exhibit will showcase two applications with different requirements. The Large Neocortex G2R cell will be demonstrating machine tending in manufacturing. The Medium G2R will be exhibiting order fulfillment of consumer goods. Each robotic cell ships complete, including robot, end effector, 3D vision, safety, and industrial PC. The cells are operating with Universals Neocortex 5.0 artificial intelligence modular platform software.

Several strategic partners join Universal Logics debut at MODEX in booth C2463.

The Medium G2R cell features Yaskawa Motomans recently introduced GP12, the fastest speed 12-kg payload, six-axis robot in its class. As Roger Christian, Divisional Leader, New Market Development, for Yaskawa notes: "Our new high-speed small footprint GP-series of robots are ideally suited for the Neocortex G2R cells need for compactness and high-volume picking. We are delighted to have worked closely with Universal Logic from the beginning to deliver this breakthrough solution to the supply chain."

Additionally, the Medium G2R incorporates Cognex Corporations DataMan 360 Series Barcode Readers into a high-speed barcode tunnel for real-time SKU reading and sorting during the robot picking. Mike Jones, Senior Sales Manager for Logistics Solutions at Cognex, states, "our DataMan product line provides superior read rates in traceability applications across the logistics industry. We are delighted to provide products and application engineering to Universal as it continues to push the boundaries of speed with 100% verification of a wide range of products over a large field of view."

IDS Imaging Development Systems GmBH provides superb industrialized high-speed, high-resolution Ensenso N-Series stereo 3D vision structured light sensors for both cells. Jeremy Bergh, IDS Imaging Sales Director of North America, points out, "IDS is constantly pushing the envelope on whats possible in speed and resolution for imaging, and working with Universal on their bin picking applications has enabled state-of-the-art solutions."

ABB Robotics supplies an IRB2600 20-kg payload, six-axis robot for Universals Large G2R cell that is demonstrating machine tending. The IRB2600 offers a wider working range for larger material handling with excellent accuracy and acceleration.

About Universal Logic
Universal, the leader in artificial intelligence, has provided manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and agriculture supply chains with complete automated material handling systems for high-mix/high-volume applications. Universals Neocortex is a real-time modular AI platform for machine control that extends perception, directs grasping, and guides robots. This results in high speed robots with human-like flexibility. Universal licenses Neocortex software by itself or includes it in pre-designed robotic work cells, called the Neocortex G2R (Goods to Robot) cells. They are used for order fulfillment, bin/bag picking, machine tending, and kitting. For more information, visit http://www.universallogic.com or call (615) 366-7281.

About Yaskawa Motoman
Founded in 1989, Yaskawa Motoman is a leading industrial robotics company in the Americas. With more than 380,000 Motoman industrial robots, 10 million servos and 18 million inverter drives installed globally, Yaskawa provides automation products and solutions for virtually every industry and robotic application; including arc welding, assembly, coating, dispensing, material handling, material cutting, material removal, packaging, palletizing and spot welding. For more information, visit http://www.motoman.com or call (937) 847-6200.

About IDS Imaging
Founded in 1997, IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH is a leading manufacturer of digital industrial cameras with USB or GigE interface. Boasting nearly two decades of experience in development and sale of USB 2.0 cameras, today we are also among the pioneers in the development of digital USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1 industrial cameras. For quick, easy and precise 3D machine vision tasks IDS offers the Ensenso 3D camera series. Additionally, the novel vision app-based sensors and cameras of IDS Ensenso NXT open up a new dimension in image processing. For more information visit http://www.ids-imaging.com or call (781) 787-0048.